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Solemn flight delivers airman to final resting place -- Army Times

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deadstick

Pucker Factor: HIGH
Joined
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[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Solemn flight delivers airman to final resting place

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]By Gary Blied[/FONT]



[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]On Dec. 3, I was the co-pilot for American Airlines Flight 1904, traveling from Chicago to Miami.

We were informed at the gate that the remains of Master Sgt. Shawn Richardson would shortly be loaded on our flight.

He was a 17-year veteran of the Air Force and had been killed in a motorcycle accident while serving our country in South Korea.

I went down to the ramp and found the long box appropriately stationed off to the side in a luggage cart. The curtains on the cart were pulled. It was my honor to spend a few moments in prayer with him.

The captain and I finished our preflight duties and then went back down to the ramp and checked in with the crew chiefs to observe the loading of Master Sgt. Richardson. We departed almost an hour late due to our late arrival into Chicago.

We called for push and it was immediately granted. Normally, there’s a wait. We called ground for taxi and again — immediately granted. Normally, there’s a wait. We were cleared onto the runway and for an immediate takeoff. Passing through about 25,000 feet we were further cleared direct to Ormand Beach, which is the first fix on the arrival into Miami. That’s basically a thousand-mile straight line and the most direct clearance I’ve ever received to Miami.

The flight to and landing in Miami were uneventful until we went to turn off the runway. The tower asked us to proceed to where an escort was waiting for us. A Miami-Dade police cruiser met us on the taxiway. He escorted our Boeing 757 to the D terminal. The entire north ramp had been cleared of all aircraft. I’d never seen that, either.

As we approached the ramp, we noticed the lights. There were at least a half-dozen fire trucks, no fewer than 15 police cars and countless other vehicles. The fire trucks saluted our arrival with crossed streams of water shooting over the aircraft. My first seven years of service were in the Air Force Crash Fire Rescue Department. There is no higher salute from the fire department.

We parked the aircraft and shut down. After our checklists, Capt. Jeff Wallace and I went to the ramp level and observed the unpacking of the casket, then the dressing with a flag. It was accepted by the bearer team which was composed of members of the Miami-Dade Police Department and Air Force honor guard.

As I looked up from the ramp level I saw a somber face in every window. Not one of our passengers had moved until our fallen airman had departed the aircraft.

When the procession left the airport, there were two cruisers in front of the hearse, and I have no idea how many behind. It was worthy of a presidential motorcade and a fitting show of love and respect for one of our fallen.

It was 1:30 a.m. on a Sunday; we were almost two hours late. I would bet that most of the people on our ramp were not on the clock.

Every now and then you see it: the silent majority that makes this country the best in the world. I was so proud that night. Proud that my fellow citizens on every level worked to get Master Sgt. Richardson to his final repose. Proud of the people who waited hours into Sunday morning to show their respect. Proud of our passengers that they recognized a greater purpose than getting off the jet.

It was my privilege to be witness to this homecoming. I would hope that all the service people who read this know that you are in our prayers. We are all proud of you — what I witnessed that night proves it.

The author retired from the Air Force as a major with 22 years of service. He has been a pilot for American Airlines since October 1991.

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Glad to hear that some of the airlines are doing things right. Apparently some did not, so as of January 1 there will be no more remains transported on passenger flights. Only charter flights or military transports will carry them from now on.
 
Glad to hear that some of the airlines are doing things right. Apparently some did not, so as of January 1 there will be no more remains transported on passenger flights. Only charter flights or military transports will carry them from now on.

Not quite. The families will still be offered the option to move their loved one on a passenger flight IF the mil air contractor or mil aircraft is delayed. Just worked on the CONOPS today.
 
Great Job!
 
We just ordered special casket carriers that will be painted completely different than our normal baggage carts and will be placed in cities like PHL where we carry many fallen servicemen and women to their final resting places. So, I'd say that we are planning on continuing this practice if we are spending the money on the new carts.

IAHERJ
 
It's good to know that sometimes, just sometimes things work the way they should. May Master Sgt. Richardson rest in peace.
 
[SIZE=+1][SIZE=-1]12-27-2006[/SIZE]

Air Force Looks To Outsource Casket Duty
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Editors Note: This is an article from The Air Force Times. Can not even give the dead the dignity they deserve. Make the small aircraft held for the “Perfumed Princes” available for this duty!!!!
By Bruce Rolfsen
Staff writer
Air Force Times
The Air Force is looking for a private contractor to fly caskets out of Dover Air Force Base, Del.
Earlier this year, Congress mandated that as of Jan. 1, the Air Force will be responsible for transporting caskets and human remains from Dover to funeral locations. Dover is the air hub where most troops who die overseas are brought before being returned to their families.
The military was using commercial airlines to transport caskets as part of their cargo. However, some grieving families and lawmakers thought the practice didn’t respect the service members’ sacrifices. The law now mandates the military handle the mission.
According to the request issued in late November, Air Mobility Command is looking for a firm that can provide crews and four aircraft able to carry two caskets each and their military escorts. The planes could make up to 110 flights a month.
The initial contract would last until the end of January; however, it could be extended for up to six months.

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