thedrifter
12-29-06, 03:16 PM
December 29, 2006
Corps outlines casualty transport, escort rules
By Kimberly Johnson
Staff writer
The remains of Marines who die in combat must be transported by military or military-contracted aircraft, according to a new rule that goes into effect Jan. 1.
The policy, outlined in a Corps-wide message issued Thursday, also requires that all military casualties returning to the U.S. be continuously escorted by military personnel.
The move was prompted by 2007 Defense Authorization Act language put in place by House Armed Services Committee chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., following a January 2006 news report that the remains of a Marine killed in Iraq were sent down a commercial jet’s conveyor belt along with passenger luggage.
Uniformed honor guards will conduct transfers of caskets from aircraft when security requirements permit, MarAdmin 628/06 states.
“The challenge will be to obtain permission for the honor guard to access the airport tarmac so that the flag-draped casket can be carried to awaiting ground transportation,” the message states. “Access to the airport tarmac by the honor guard will be different at every location.”
Ellie
Corps outlines casualty transport, escort rules
By Kimberly Johnson
Staff writer
The remains of Marines who die in combat must be transported by military or military-contracted aircraft, according to a new rule that goes into effect Jan. 1.
The policy, outlined in a Corps-wide message issued Thursday, also requires that all military casualties returning to the U.S. be continuously escorted by military personnel.
The move was prompted by 2007 Defense Authorization Act language put in place by House Armed Services Committee chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., following a January 2006 news report that the remains of a Marine killed in Iraq were sent down a commercial jet’s conveyor belt along with passenger luggage.
Uniformed honor guards will conduct transfers of caskets from aircraft when security requirements permit, MarAdmin 628/06 states.
“The challenge will be to obtain permission for the honor guard to access the airport tarmac so that the flag-draped casket can be carried to awaiting ground transportation,” the message states. “Access to the airport tarmac by the honor guard will be different at every location.”
Ellie