JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
When entering the Air Force, all members swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Although some Airmen complete a career unharmed, there are some whose promise results in their ultimate sacrifice.
"The mission of mortuary affairs is to ensure fallen Airmen are honored with the upmost respect," Chaney Ferguson, 902nd Force Support Squadron mortuary affairs officer, said.
Although it is a sensitive job, there are many complex aspects of mortuary affairs operations.
The responsibilities of mortuary affairs officers include transportation of remains to the final resting place, disposition of personal property of service members, escorts, family member transportation and paperwork associated with these responsibilities.
"In this job, there is no room for error," Ferguson said. "One mistake could ruin the last moment the family has with the deceased."
While there is only one mortuary affairs technician at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, he's supported by the JBSA Honor Guard and works closely with Master Sgt. Nidia Hodge, 902nd FSS Honor Guard superintendent.
"We have a fallen warrior detail consisting of 20 members who carry the transfer cases to and from the aircraft," Hodge said.
To ensure the family's last moment with their loved ones is in good taste, Ferguson follows a step-by-step instruction manual to make sure the burial process is conducted according to Air Force instruction.
"I take every detail seriously," Ferguson said. "From coordinating the release of the deceased to making sure the deceased is properly dressed in his or her uniform, I make sure everything goes according to plan. It's the least we can do in honor of the fallen."
Although this responsibility may be rewarding, paying homage to those who embodied the "service before self" creed is not for the faint of heart.
"Sometimes, it's hard not to let emotions get in the way of the job, but I know we need to be strong for them," Hodge said.
Ferguson said at the end of the day, when the family comes up to them with tears of thanks - that's what it's all about, honoring the life of their loved ones.