Remains of 7 troops killed in Afghanistan return home

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin J. Matwey
  • American Forces Press Service
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNS) --  The remains of seven American troops killed July 6 during combat operations in Afghanistan returned to their nation during a dignified transfer July 8 here.

Twenty-six family members from every region of the country stood on the tarmac witnessing their loved one's return.

Subdued voices of the carry team leaders directed their teams to perform precise movements as they transferred their comrades-in-arms from the C-17 Globemaster III to a waiting vehicle. A six-person Navy team carried the transfer case of the single Sailor into one vehicle, followed by a six-person Army team who then carried each transfer case for the six Soldiers into a second vehicle.

The wind picked up on this warm summer day as the last transfer case holding the sixth Soldier was placed in the transfer vehicle, and all present rendered a final salute.

As the second and final transfer vehicle with the remains of the six Army Soldiers left the flightline, the Navy carry team joined a dozen troops standing at attention outside the passenger terminal as they rendered a salute. The transfer vehicle passed in front, followed by the Army carry team and the senior officers.

The dignified returns were of:
-- Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony M. Randolph of Henryetta, Okla., assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 from Sigonella, Italy.
-- Army Capt. Mark A. Garner of Elkin, N.C., assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.
-- Army 2nd Lt. Derwin I. Williams of Glenwood, Ill., assigned to Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment of the Illinois Army National Guard.
-- Army Sgt. Brock H. Chavers of Bulloch, Ga., assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry of the Georgia Army National Guard.
-- Army Spc. Chester W. Hosford of Hastings, Minn, assigned to Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry of the Illinois Army National Guard.
-- Army Spc. Issac L. Johnson of Columbus, Ga., assigned to 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron of the Georgia Army National Guard.
-- Army Pfc. Nicholas Gideon of Murrieta, Calif., assigned to the 40th Armored Squadron from Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Minutes after the transfer was complete and family members left the flightline, the sound of "Retreat" followed by the national anthem, broadcast across the base.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the dignified transfers, as he has for several previous transfers.

Admiral Mullen spoke with family members assembled in a base chapel before the transfer. Afterward, the chairman spoke briefly with each of the carry teams and with more than 20 other servicemembers involved in the transfer operations.

Earlier in the day, Admiral Mullen responded to a question at the National Press Club about the impact he has seen from the policy change to allow the media to cover the return of fallen servicemembers.

"It's been very well done," Admiral Mullen said. "I've been up there and observed the process. I personally believe it was a very important decision. And what I've seen is that that dignity and that respect has been very, very much supported in the time that certainly the press has been there. And I'm very encouraged by that. I think it's important that all of us understand the sacrifices that these young men and women make."

Navy Rear Adm. James J. Shannon, the Naval Surface Warfare Center commander, and Army Brig. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr., the director of Joint and Futures in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G8, Headquarters, Department of the Army, also attended the transfer. Col. Manson Morris, the 436th Airlift Wing commander here, was the dignified transfer officer.

Dignified transfers have occurred more than 4,000 times at Dover AFB since 2001 in virtually the same manner. A policy change on April 5 of this year allowed news media to be present with the approval of the primary next of kin of the fallen servicemember. In about 70 percent of cases, the families have approved the presence of news media. Family members have been present in the same percentage.

(Tech. Sgt. Benjamin J. Matwey serves in the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center Public Affairs Office.)