The Air Force on Wednesday opened a new center on the grounds of Dover AFB, Del., for families of fallen warfighters who travel to the base to witness the return of their loved ones’ remains. Dover hosts the sole US military mortuary in the continental US where military personnel who die overseas are returned home. “I do believe it is remarkable what happened here and I have to give unqualified compliments to the team that designed and renovated this facility,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz at the dedication ceremony. The Associated Press reported Wednesday (via USA Today) that the 6,000-square-foot building, known as the Center for Families of the Fallen, will be staffed by counselors and support specialists for the families. It is about twice the size of the “spiritual operations center” used until now.
The Air Force is on track to reach its annual goal of graduating 1,500 new pilots that had proved elusive to this point, one year after the service launched a sweeping overhaul of its undergraduate pilot training program, Air Education and Training Command said Sept. 14.
