Outsoucing Casket Duty

[pilotyip]

As seen in Navy Times last night, Kalitta Charters has been awarded a contract to fly caskets and remains of US troops from Dover AFB to their funeral locations. The contract which lcould last through July is worth up to $11,000,000. Kalitta will provide crews and four Falcon 20 jets to operate out of Dover. Kalitta begin its operations out of Dover on Jan 1st.

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

Well, we've been hauling a lot of flag draped caskets out of KWI, and bringing them into DOV, and always wondered how they got to their loved ones.

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

A very important job. Too bad it has to be done.

A salute to all my brothers and sisters wearing or have worn the uniform.

 

[TransMach]

Honor Duty

I'm with ya Buff, as you know. Lets hope and trust that our friends at Kalitta, as well as the other commercial operators associated in this duty will carry out their tasks with the decorum and respect so richly deserved of our fallen brothers in arms.

TransMach

 

[big pimpn']

I am sure they are one hundred and ten percent up for the job, and will do this country a great service bringing our brothers and sisters home to their loved ones.

 

[PastV1]

I think this should be done by military airlift. Not a charter outfit. No offense to the charter guys but think this job should be done in-house.......

Rest in peace my brothers....

Past.....

 

[big pimpn']

With a younger brother serving in Iraq, I agree. The transportation of flag draped caskets should be a military detail, no exceptions; however, if this contract has already been issued, I don’t see any alternative other than to give them full confidence and support as they fulfill their mission. As a former DA-20 cargo driver, I know the type of people that will be carrying out these sacred missions, and I am confident they will carry out the detail with grace and dignity.

 

[Heybill]

Casualty

I am a casualty officer for the Marine Corps here in the central valley of california. We just buried a young Marine from Merced on 27 Dec. We had to fly him from Dover to San Jose on Continental. Continental Airlines was very respectful and did an outstanding job of allowing myself and the family ramp access so that we could offload the remains in a dignified manner. The San Jose airport police also did an outstanding job with giving us police escort in and out of the city as well as ensuring we had special ramp access. I hope we don't have to do it again but it will be very nice to be able to fly the remains aboard a charter directly to the family's local airport. (SJC was a three hour drive for us late at night) I agree with the gentleman that suggested we bring them home aboard a military aircraft but I'm sure the folks at Kalitta will do a very good job.

Heybill

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

I am a casualty officer for the Marine Corps here in the central valley of california. We just buried a young Marine from Merced on 27 Dec. We had to fly him from Dover to San Jose on Continental. Continental Airlines was very respectful and did an outstanding job of allowing myself and the family ramp access so that we could offload the remains in a dignified manner. The San Jose airport police also did an outstanding job with giving us police escort in and out of the city as well as ensuring we had special ramp access. I hope we don't have to do it again but it will be very nice to be able to fly the remains aboard a charter directly to the family's local airport. (SJC was a three hour drive for us late at night) I agree with the gentleman that suggested we bring them home aboard a military aircraft but I'm sure the folks at Kalitta will do a very good job.

Heybill

I don't have a problem with civilians doing the duty. As shown here, they can do it every bit as respectfully. And at some point it becomes impractical for military crews to be tied up taking individuals vs. several returnees.

My concern would be that single crewmember with sentiments like the group that stages protests at funerals getting assigned to one of these flights. Hopefully the companys assigned the duty will weed out any such individuals.

 

[MD11Drvr]

I don't have a problem with civilians doing the duty. As shown here, they can do it every bit as respectfully. And at some point it becomes impractical for military crews to be tied up taking individuals vs. several returnees.

My concern would be that single crewmember with sentiments like the group that stages protests at funerals getting assigned to one of these flights. Hopefully the companys assigned the duty will weed out any such individuals.

I understand your point and concern. But I do feel reasonably confident that the other crew membes would not take disrespect lying down. In fact if I were to witness such actions someone would be lying down right after thier attitude adjustment. I am all for free speech and the right to disagree with the war but there is a time and a place and the funeral of a fallen warrrior is not it!

God speed to the Kallitta crews in thier sacred assignment.........