Investigating Mortuary Affairs

The Air Force Inspector General has completed a year-long investigation into the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations based at Dover AFB, Del., which was initiated after several whistleblowers reported, among several allegations, that the body parts of service members killed on active duty had been lost. An Air Force spokeswoman based at the Pentagon told the Daily Report that USAF does not intend to the release the IG report, but a Pentagon release issued Tuesday said the IG investigation found no evidence that remains were intentionally mishandled. It did, however, acknowledge that the “mortuary staff failed to maintain accountability while processing portions of remains for three service members.” The US Office of Special Counsel in its own release said, “These events are deeply troubling, as is the Air Force’s failure to acknowledge culpability.” Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz acknowledge there is room for improvement, but said the investigation found that the “mission was always conducted with reverence, dignity, honor, and respect for all served through the facility.” Continue