Air Force looks to outsource casket duty

[donsu]

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.

The initial contract would last until the end of January; however, it could be extended for up to six months.
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well it would distance the military from their dead

[Drum]

1. ...

:puke:

[thereismore]

2. death is good business... nt

[MADem]

3. We need a Truman Commission, now more than ever

That commission made its stones investigating fraud, waste and abuse in the military. Lyndon Johnson fired up a similar subcommittee and it propelled him to the national spotlight.

If the Dems do anything, they really need an oversight body--when Congress told the USAF to "handle it" they didn't mean subcontract it--they meant "Break out the USAF Lears and the C12s and the installation pilots, and get them flying the caskets hither and yon. Fly them to military installations and onward by ground transportation."

Shit, whaddaya wanna bet FED-EX or UPS gets the gig? Or NETJETS, at a HUGE profit?

This is NOT about "respect" for the dead. This is about not exposing the paying customers on commercial aircraft to the gruesome reality that they are travelling with the body of a dead teenager under their feet, and that kid in uniform sobbing up in first class was his buddy.

Can't let Americans see, or think, for themselves...

[Ezlivin]

4. DUPE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2931011

[itsmesgd]

5. the government doesnt even care about the dead bodies

of the soldiers that they sent to their early graves in this ilegal war. How long is it before fedex is called to handle this? I don't want to see how bad a contractor could fuck this up. This is supposed to be a sacred ceremony conducted on the behalf of a grateful nation and solemn government. Are we going to privatize this to a corporate entity and have them treat the soldiers in the same manner that they have fed them. Halliburton claims (and bills us) to feed more than they actually do feed, and when they do provide food it is nasty and often unfit to eat. Do we want to see how they would treat our sons and daughters who have fallen?

hell no, stop this

[RC]

6. At least they haven't contracted burials out the the local

Sanitation Dept yet.

[nealmhughes]

7. They don't want the public to see the honor guard waiting at the gate and the guy who is on escort

duty in full dress unform who goes on the plane all the way to the funeral home.

Then the police and fire depts. provide escorts from the airport all the way to where the funeral home -- it is pretty obvious where they are going with that many sailors/Marines/soldiers in their dress unforms and a hearse leading the way...

[alfredo]

8. What's next outsource the honor guard to

American corporate icons, Ronald McDonald and the Aflac goose?