Recently I was flying a pattern that was a US Air Force CRAF (Civilian Reserve Augmentation Fleet) contract. The three-day pattern was scheduled to depart Dover Air Force Base, to Ramstein Air Force Base, and then to McGuire Air Force Base. On the third day of our pattern, and after a restful over-night in the Ramstein area, we arrived at Ramstein Ops to discover that we were dispatched to Dover instead of McGuire. Because it is not unusual for the Air Force to change a pattern for their needs, we didn't think much of it until we saw the weight of our cargo. It was such a light load. What's the deal? We decided to give the dispatcher a call to check the accuracy of the load.
We did call our Worl-Wide Control Center, as they like to be called, and found the re-routing to be correct, with one annotation. The annotation was "HR", which means human remains. The only cargo we were to carry on this trip was the remains of a US Army Captain killed in Iraq, his personal property, and some stacked, empty pallets.
As we climbed the stairs to reach the main deck of our airplane, we noticed how much higher it stood compared to the usually more heavily loaded configuration. As we entered the main deck, we were all soberly choked with emotion at the sight of our cargo. We looked into the cavernous interior of our Boeing 747 freighter and observed the US flag draped casket and a crated box of personal property secured near the side cargo door. All three of us stood there silently for a moment, all three of us taken aback by what we saw. Then as quickly as we halted in our tracks, we returned to our duties to get the cargo to its destination. As professionals, we do our jobs the best way we know and to the best of our abilities, regardless of the situation.
It was my leg to Dover, and an uneventful one at that. Although the weather in Dover was beautiful, I chose to do a practice VOR instrument approach, with the MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) of 400 feet above the ground. Looking back on it in reflection, I'm sure it was a sight to see this lumbering, huge airplane banking to final at 400 feet above the ground. I made an ususually smooth landing for a near empty airplane, as light airplanes are harder to get a smooth landing in than when they are loaded. I was feeling pretty cocky about my flying ability until I started following the FOLLOW ME truck, and remembered what my cargo was. I thought to myself, "That Army-trained bit of airmanship was for you, Captain. For your final flight home." We taxied into our spot, exited the airplane to go to the Immigration and Customs Station, and then returned to our airplane before the Honor Guard arrived.
As we re-entered our airplane, we were met by a very sharp looking protocol officer. The Air Force Major wore his battle dress uniform so well, and with obvious pride in his duty. The Major began to explain military custom to us, but was interrupted by our flight's Captain. Our Captain pointed to me and told the Major that I was an active Army National Guard CW4 Aviator. He then pointed to our Engineer, saying that he is a retired Air Force E8 crewmember. Then he finally stated to the Major that he was a former US Army Drill Seargent. The Major shook our hands as if relieved from the duty to explain drill and ceremony, and invited us to stand in the detail formation. We looked at each-other. You can imagine what our uniforms looked like after 10 hours of duty with eight hours of flight. However, we tucked in our shirt-tales and buttoned up the best we could and stood in the detail formation during the prayer ceremony held aboard our airplane.
To begin the prayer ceremony aboard our airplane, a US Army Brigadier General flew into Dover Air Force Base in a glossy green and white VIP painted Army UH-1 helicopter. The General boarded our airplane and stood at the head of the casket during the prayer, said by a US Army Chaplain. At the end of the prayer, the General bent over the casket and said, "Thank you for your service to our country and for your sacrifice. Welcome home."
The Honor Guard took the casket off of the airplane, as we all stood at attention, saluting. As the ambulance drove away, the Air Force Major dismissed our detail. Then suddenly, and seemingly unplanned, the Major called the detail back to attention because he saw the General was making his way back to our airplane. He stated in a low voice that he believed the General was returning to thank us.
We stood at attention and I could faintly hear the Major telling the General whom we were. The General stood in front of us, idividually, and thanked us for bringing the Army Captain home, and shook our hands as he thanked us.
I truly believe the General was thankful for us taking the time to stand formation for the ceremony. That is why he made the special effort to make the laborious climb back up those stair steps to re-enter our airplane before he walked accross the tarmac to his waiting helicopter.
It's all a part of our job, contracting to the military. We transport new equipment into the theater of operation, and we bring back broken or destroyed equipment. Occasionally, and all too often, we bring back a fallen brother or sister on their final flight home.
Was it by coincidence or by a Supreme Being's design that this particular and appropriate crew had been put together for this final flight home? Believe in what you wish, but believe me in this, if you have a loved one or know of someone we have brought back home, we do it with honor and absolute respect. Although, we prefer to never bring anyone home on his or her final flight.
We did call our Worl-Wide Control Center, as they like to be called, and found the re-routing to be correct, with one annotation. The annotation was "HR", which means human remains. The only cargo we were to carry on this trip was the remains of a US Army Captain killed in Iraq, his personal property, and some stacked, empty pallets.
As we climbed the stairs to reach the main deck of our airplane, we noticed how much higher it stood compared to the usually more heavily loaded configuration. As we entered the main deck, we were all soberly choked with emotion at the sight of our cargo. We looked into the cavernous interior of our Boeing 747 freighter and observed the US flag draped casket and a crated box of personal property secured near the side cargo door. All three of us stood there silently for a moment, all three of us taken aback by what we saw. Then as quickly as we halted in our tracks, we returned to our duties to get the cargo to its destination. As professionals, we do our jobs the best way we know and to the best of our abilities, regardless of the situation.
It was my leg to Dover, and an uneventful one at that. Although the weather in Dover was beautiful, I chose to do a practice VOR instrument approach, with the MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) of 400 feet above the ground. Looking back on it in reflection, I'm sure it was a sight to see this lumbering, huge airplane banking to final at 400 feet above the ground. I made an ususually smooth landing for a near empty airplane, as light airplanes are harder to get a smooth landing in than when they are loaded. I was feeling pretty cocky about my flying ability until I started following the FOLLOW ME truck, and remembered what my cargo was. I thought to myself, "That Army-trained bit of airmanship was for you, Captain. For your final flight home." We taxied into our spot, exited the airplane to go to the Immigration and Customs Station, and then returned to our airplane before the Honor Guard arrived.
As we re-entered our airplane, we were met by a very sharp looking protocol officer. The Air Force Major wore his battle dress uniform so well, and with obvious pride in his duty. The Major began to explain military custom to us, but was interrupted by our flight's Captain. Our Captain pointed to me and told the Major that I was an active Army National Guard CW4 Aviator. He then pointed to our Engineer, saying that he is a retired Air Force E8 crewmember. Then he finally stated to the Major that he was a former US Army Drill Seargent. The Major shook our hands as if relieved from the duty to explain drill and ceremony, and invited us to stand in the detail formation. We looked at each-other. You can imagine what our uniforms looked like after 10 hours of duty with eight hours of flight. However, we tucked in our shirt-tales and buttoned up the best we could and stood in the detail formation during the prayer ceremony held aboard our airplane.
To begin the prayer ceremony aboard our airplane, a US Army Brigadier General flew into Dover Air Force Base in a glossy green and white VIP painted Army UH-1 helicopter. The General boarded our airplane and stood at the head of the casket during the prayer, said by a US Army Chaplain. At the end of the prayer, the General bent over the casket and said, "Thank you for your service to our country and for your sacrifice. Welcome home."
The Honor Guard took the casket off of the airplane, as we all stood at attention, saluting. As the ambulance drove away, the Air Force Major dismissed our detail. Then suddenly, and seemingly unplanned, the Major called the detail back to attention because he saw the General was making his way back to our airplane. He stated in a low voice that he believed the General was returning to thank us.
We stood at attention and I could faintly hear the Major telling the General whom we were. The General stood in front of us, idividually, and thanked us for bringing the Army Captain home, and shook our hands as he thanked us.
I truly believe the General was thankful for us taking the time to stand formation for the ceremony. That is why he made the special effort to make the laborious climb back up those stair steps to re-enter our airplane before he walked accross the tarmac to his waiting helicopter.
It's all a part of our job, contracting to the military. We transport new equipment into the theater of operation, and we bring back broken or destroyed equipment. Occasionally, and all too often, we bring back a fallen brother or sister on their final flight home.
Was it by coincidence or by a Supreme Being's design that this particular and appropriate crew had been put together for this final flight home? Believe in what you wish, but believe me in this, if you have a loved one or know of someone we have brought back home, we do it with honor and absolute respect. Although, we prefer to never bring anyone home on his or her final flight.
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