Outsoucing Casket Duty

[MD11Drvr]

Picked up freight the other night at Travis AFB (KSUU) and saw a transfer of remains from a Kalitta Falcon to an ATI DC8 bound for PHNL. All operations on the ramp and in the vicinity ceased immediately and the entire operation was handled quite well, with dignity.

Thanks for the report and I am glad things are going well.

God's speed to the fallen warrior and thier family.

 

[b19]

This is the type of flight that should be treated with the utmost respect, and God help the idiot that should even think of disrespecting or dishonoring someone who has paid the ultimate sacrifice you will never work in this very small industry again.

 

[Gearmonkey]

Dover

I am one of the Falcon captains doing this for Kalitta. I guarentee you that we are doing 110% every day we are out there. This is definetly not something that has been taken lightly by any of us and we know there are a lot of military folk watching us. It is of the highest honor for me personally to be doing this and as of yesterday I have moved 24 fallen back to their families over the past 5 weeks. It is very sad and it really hits you the first day you do this. There are only a few of us doing this(maybe about a dozen) and we are all good guys, most of the bad ones are weeded out during interviews and it seems they don't last long here long enough to make the Falcon. We are all hoping not to fly but when we are called to do it, I promise you that we are doing it with the highest respect for the family and the soldier. This is all I do now and I know I will never be asked to do such an important mission again in my career. These guys gave their lives for their country, something many of us never had to face. Thank you to all of you that have served.

 

[MD11Drvr]

Gearmonkey,

Thank you for the update and the assurance that this is being handled with the utmost of respect. There is nothing more deserving of 100% respect and dignity. From one who has served THANK YOU for taking care of our fallen brothers and sisters.

 

[skyward80]

Gearmonkey:

Thank you for taking this job seriously. I haven't spent a great deal of time in the service. However, when I heard this duty was being outsourced, the whole matter really sat sideways in my stomach. As a USAF heavy driver, I still believe it's the military's responsibility to get our fallen military brothers and sisters home. Outsourcing does turn these flights into a profit making venture. Please don't take that as flame bait. The most simple view of this is that the DoD is paying a company to do the job. The company being paid has to charge an amount which will result in some sort of profit.

This bothered me the most when I first heard about this. In the long run, it just makes sense... C5s are hauling out-sized cargo, C17s are constantly hauling troups and cargo into and out of theaters, and the tankers are passing gas. It makes sense to pass this duty along to a civilian carrier. Thank you for taking it so seriously. Yet another example of a quiet and almost unknown group of American heroes supporting our war efforts.

Very Respectfully,
Skyward80

 

[kfscapn]

Well said Gearmonkey. I feel the same way about these trips. They are very important, and I am honored to fly them, although I wish they were not necessary. I have nothing but the utmost respect for our fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. They are the ones who deserve our gratitude and respect. I also want to say thank you to all of those who are serving or have served our country.

 

[metrodriver]

Skyward80: a lot of the fallen have already been flown back on hired help, not just on USAF planes. Coming back from the middle east it seems to be a question who is going states side first that determines what color is painted on the outside of the aircraft. The only difference now is that somebody has been specifically hired to do this job domestically