Military suspends recovery of fallen troops from overseas battlefields amid coronavirus concerns

[turbinetree]

Leo Shane III
1 day ago

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is even keeping already deceased American service members from traveling home.

Officials from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on Tuesday announced the ongoing worldwide virus outbreak has forced them to end all overseas missions to recover fallen military personnel early, and postponed any future recovery missions until at least June.

That includes planned efforts in 19 countries covering much of Europe and the Pacific. Personnel who had been called home from active missions in Kiribati, the Philippines, Poland, and Vietnam are in 14-day self-isolation and monitoring for signs of illness.

"COVID-19 dynamics have forced us to radically alter our operations, but keeping our team safe, here at home and abroad, is paramount," DPAA Director Kelly McKeague said in a statement. "At the same time, we are continuing to take actions with which our personnel can remain productive in their duties while maintaining the required distancing."

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/03/24/military-suspends-recovery-of-fallen-troops-from-overseas-battlefields-amid-coronavirus-concerns/

[Historic NY]

1. I follow them daily...

amazing work in some unstable places and horrendous conditions.

[getagrip_already]

2. the title made it sound like those kia in current conflict - not PAST wars

Yes, they should pause those efforts. They are important but not the highest priority. Some of these remains date back to WWII (in that region).