Air Force looks to outsource casket duty

[rainbow4321]

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2424775.php

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.

[saigon68]

1. They will soon make 200 Plus flights a month

If commander chimp sends 50,000 more troops to Iraq-Nam


"BRING EM ON" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE

[Fridays Child]

2. This indicates that the DoD thinks it might need to transport as many as...

...220 fallen soldiers a month. This shit needs to stop NOW.

[kenny blankenship]

3. Should make it easier to ship that Afghani heroin back home

and maintain plausible deniability.

[mcscajun]

4. They don't GET IT, do they?

Congress wants (and most Americans probably do as well) the Military to handle the remains of our fallen troops. What's the difference between using commercial airlines for transport and using a "private contractor"? NONE.

:grr:

These fallen deserve to travel in military, not contracted, not private, not commercial, aircraft.

[Mika]

7. What's the difference?

A well connected contracting firm will get a sweetheart deal w/little to no oversight.

:puke:

[undeterred]

8. Its as if they're saying- you're dead and we're done with you.

[kenny blankenship]

10. You're dead, but we've figured out a new way our pals can make a buck on you

[Bluebear]

11. Perzactly.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Just another way for the "patriotic" corporations to cash in.

I wonder how many of the tinware and ribbon bedecked generals will be going to work for airlines after they start collecting military retirement.

[Ezlivin]

6. This is wrong. It's important for the soldiers to "take care of their own"

Fuck the private business. I don't give a damn how good they are. They aren't soldiers or sailors.

[Neecy]

9. The Air Force doesn't have planes?

Let's see --- I'm guessing American Airlines will get the MATS contract - Texas based, big Republican contributers.

[Canuckistanian]

12. How does this benefit anyone?

You KNOW the contract will be a sweetheart "no-bid, cost-plus" deal, so no money will be saved.

And the families of the deceased will feel as if they've been abandoned by the military.

So this is a good idea, why?

[OhioChick]

13. What a disgrace. n/t