WASHINGTON –
Summary: Keeping the families of our missing as well as veterans informed is a primary objective of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's (DPAA) mission. This update is intended to provide an overview of efforts during the previous quarter to account for our missing.
Items of Note:
Budget Status
On March 23, 2018, Congress passed, and the President signed, the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act, otherwise known as the omnibus appropriation, funding the Federal government through 30 September 2018. The legislation provides DPAA with a $146.3M Operations and Maintenance appropriation, which fully funds our budget request and provides a $15M increase ($10M specifically for Southeast Asia operations and $5M for partnerships).
Details of the FY 2018 DPAA budget request can be found at: http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2018/budget_justification/pdfs/01OperationandMaintenance/OMVOL1PART1/DPAAOP-5.pdf
DPAA Organizational Nomenclature Changes
The Indo-Pacific (IP) Directorate (formerly Asia-Pacific) aligns with the 2018 U.S. National Defense Strategy references to this geographic region. The Partnerships & Innovation (PI) Directorate (formerly Strategic Partnerships) better reflects its role and purpose and deconflicts this DPAA function with that of the Secretary of Defense and Combatant Commanders’ purview.
Director's February Feb 18-25 Trip to Europe
Mr. McKeague’s visits in Germany included key leader engagements at the U.S. Embassy, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command, advocating for increased collaboration and logistical and personnel support for DPAA missions. Additionally, German news magazine Der Spiegel, one of Europe’s largest publications, interviewed the Director, highlighting the impact and cooperation between DPAA and communities throughout Europe. Mr. McKeague then traveled to Ukraine, meeting with the U.S. Ambassador and Defense Attaché to coordinate their support for DPAA research and recovery operations. Additionally, he met with senior officials from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and Security Services to advocate for support for archival and archaeological research. Finally, Director McKeague traveled to France meeting with the U.S. Ambassador as well as American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) leadership to discuss the DPAA mission and future requirements.
Family Member Updates (FMU)
We hosted an FMU in Jacksonville, Florida, on February 24, 2018, with more than 200 Vietnam War, Korean War and World War II family members in attendance, and one in El Paso, Texas, on March 24, 2018, with 90 family members attending it. At both FMUs, local representatives from Congressional offices and Veterans Service Organizations attended as observers. The full FMU and Annual Meetings schedule can be found at: http://www.dpaa.mil/Families/Family-Events/
Repatriation Ceremony and Solemn Movement in Palau
During 18-1PW, the Underwater Recovery Team successfully collected possible human remains from two American aircraft lost during WWII. On February 24, with the U.S. Ambassador to Palau in attendance, a plane-side repatriation ceremony was conducted in Koror, with the remains later transported to DPAA. For more information, please see
Service members assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accunting Agency (DPAA) and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One Company 1-6 conduct a repatriation ceremony in Koror, Palau, Feb. 23, 2018. The repatriation ceremony was conducted to return the remains associated with U.S. military members who perished during WWII. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Thompson)
American Legion Annual Washington Conference
On February 26, Director McKeague provided an agency update that covered current missions, future operations, and developing initiatives. During a question-and-answer session, he addressed issues that included cooperation from foreign nations to federal budget impacts on the agency.
United States – Russian Joint Commission (USRJC) World War II Technical Talks
The Joint Commission Support Division (JCSD) and Europe-Mediterranean Regional Director traveled to Russia for the 2018 USRJC World War II Technical Talks on February 28. The working group sessions went very well with the Russian side answering previous questions and continuing to pursue more information. Likewise, JCSD members were able to address Russian information requests. Planning and coordination sessions took place for the upcoming joint expedition to Vladivostok, Russia, scheduled for May 11-25, 2018. The next Vietnam Working Group Technical Talks is being planned to take place at DPAA’s Hawaii facility in late April.
Director's March 11-21 Trip to Southeast Asia
Mr. McKeague completed his first oversight visit to Southeast Asia assessing the U.S. Government’s efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting for Americans still missing from the Vietnam War.
He visited DPAA detachments in Bangkok, Thailand; Vientiane, Laos; and Hanoi, Vietnam; and met with senior U.S. officials in each country as well as senior host nation counterparts and a visiting Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) delegation. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he met with the U.S. Ambassador and had an informal meeting with Cambodian counterparts. Lao and Vietnamese officials were receptive to further discussions on advancing initiatives that were proposed. Also, Mr. McKeague, the U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnamese officials visited a joint recovery team operating in Quang Ngai. For more information on this trip, please see http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1473712/powmia-director-concludes-first-southeast-asia-oversight-visit/
Repatriation Ceremony in Tarawa
On March 14, possible American remains discovered in South Tarawa during a contracted recovery by History Flight were returned to the U.S. after a repatriation event at Bonriki International Airport, Republic of Kiribati. This was the first repatriation of remains from Tarawa this calendar year. For more information, please see 
Service members assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) salute a transfer case on an aircraft during a repatriation ceremony, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati, March 14, 2018. The contents of the transfer cases will be examined by forensic anthropologist at DPAA's skeletal identification laboratory. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Richard DeWitt)
Deputy Director for Operations March 18-30 Indo-Pacific Trip
Rear Admiral Jon Kreitz traveled through the Indo-Pacific region stopping in Guam, Japan, Indonesia, and Burma. His visits in Guam included discussions with the U.S. DoD Joint Region Commander and the senior leadership of the University of Guam, advocating for increased collaboration and the establishment of partnerships to support increased operations throughout Micronesia. Rear Admiral Kreitz then traveled to Japan, meeting with senior officials at the U.S. Embassy, the Commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, members of the Japanese Diet, the Special Advisor to Prime Minister Abe, and senior members of the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to garner support for an agreement to increase collaboration on operations and to standardize field forensic review procedures. Rear Admiral Kreitz also had the honor of presenting flowers during a ceremony at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, which contains the remains of 367,328 Japanese unknown war dead from World War II. Next, Rear Admiral Kreitz traveled to Indonesia, meeting with the U.S. Ambassador as well senior leaders of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Defense, the National Archeological Agency, and their national forensics medical laboratory to discuss support for the DPAA mission and future requirements. Finally, Rear Admiral Kreitz traveled to Burma, meeting with the U.S. Ambassador and senior leaders of Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Defense to discuss support for the DPAA mission.
Partnerships & Innovation (PI) highlights
As a result of early FY18 partnered activities, five sets of remains were accessed into the lab. During the past quarter, DPAA continued to work with eight research universities or related institutions to conduct historical research and analysis for unresolved cases. Partnered activities continue to be an agency priority as we expand our capability and capacity to account for the missing.
Case Management System (CMS) CMS reached initial operating capability March 1st and we have begun training and user testing. The team is excited as this new system will greatly enhance our internal communications, information flow, and collaboration.
Public Portal
Progress on the Public Portal continues to streamline and modernize and leverage new information technology to improve information sharing. Over the past year, DPAA has been publishing Profiles of Unaccounted for Personnel to our website profiles of the missing summarizing the circumstances in which these courageous service members dutifully served our country. We invite you to browse our collection at: https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfileHome.
VFW Senior Leader Trip March 10-25, 2018
VFW’s Vice Commander-in-Chief and Executive Director visited the DPAA team and facility in Hawaii and then traveled to Vietnam and Laos, where they met with U.S. senior officials, DPAA personnel, and host nation officials. While in Vietnam, they also visited a joint DPAA-Vietnamese recovery team conducting operations in Quang Ngai.
Annual Accounting Meeting
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) hosted the Annual Accounting Community Meeting on March 23, 2018, in El Paso, TX. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES); Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy (ODASD (MC&FP)); U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Citizens Services (East Asia and Pacific); Service Casualty Officers (SCO) from U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Air Force Mortuary Affairs; American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC); Army National Military Cemeteries (ANMC); and numerous personnel from DPAA, including the DPAA Director Kelly McKeague.
Recent Awards
Recently, DPAA photojournalists were recognized at the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) levels for their photojournalism skills. DPAA photojournalists continue to provide tremendous mission support and enable DPAA to better
tell our story through photos and videos. We are extremely proud of these valued members of the team as these awards are a testament to the dedication, team approach and excellence. Please see the below categories and links to the products that these Soldiers and Airmen produced.
PACAF 2017 Media Contest Award DPAA winners:
Operational Photo Series:
1st Place: SSgt Matthew Bruch, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency,
JBPH-Hickam, Hawaii
A local worker clears a field while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Locals in Nghe An province, Vietnam walk near an excavation site manned by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
A local worker poses with a peace sign while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Locals take a smoke break while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on a recovery operation in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Local workers assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) leave for a lunch break during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Hugh Tuller, an anthropologist with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), examines soil for possible aircraft wreckage during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chase McFeron, an explosive ordinance disposal technician temporarily assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), interacts with local workers during a recovery operation in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
U.S. service members assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) explore Hanoi, Vietnam on a day off from conducting recovery operations around the country, Dec. 7, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
3rd Place: SSgt Leah Ferrante, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency,
JBPH-Hickam, Hawaii
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Carlson, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), hikes down to the work site, as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, July 18, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot, 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel”, 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class, Adam Tiffany, team sergeant, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Vedran Orgramic, team linguist, remove fallen trees from the site as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, July 18, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot, 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel”, 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
A local villager clears trees from the site as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, Aug. 23, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Reni Angelova, team linguist, screens soil as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, July 20, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
Kristen Baker, Scientific Recovery Expert (SRE), and U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew Byrne, complete digging operations as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, July 20, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
Lazar Karakashev, a local witness, emotionally recalls details of the crash as he tells the team, “together we will find him, and together we will return him home to his family.” Karakashev was a crucial part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, July 24, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
Lazar Karakashev, a local witness, watches as U.S. Army PFC Joshua Stever, recovery member, complete digging operations as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, July 24, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
U.S. Army PV2 Dakota Sudberry, recovery member, reaches for buckets as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, July 26, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
U.S. Army Private 1st Class Joshua Stever, recovery noncommissioned officer, sharpens tools as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, Aug. 1, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
U.S. Army SGT Maria Lopez searches for evidence in the screens as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, Aug. 5, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
Pieces of aircraft wreckage dries before being sorted as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, Aug. 17, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
Members of the team excavate a crash crater as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, Aug. 23, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
Picture Story:
1st Place: SSgt Matthew Bruch, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency,
JBPH-Hickam, Hawaii
Mr. Piotr Bojakowski, an underwater archaeologist with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), observes diving operations in the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug 16, 2017. For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (DPAA photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Lam Hong Diving ship Discovery 01 floats in the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug. 12, 2017 while conducting operations for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Divers with Lam Hong Diving descend into the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam while conducting underwater investigations with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Aug. 22, 2017. For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Members of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) prepare to conduct an underwater investigation in the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug. 12, 2017. For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Divers with Lam Hong Diving are lowered into the sea while supporting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on an underwater investigation of a potential aircraft crash site in the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug. 12, 2017. For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Divers with Lam Hong Diving descend into the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam while conducting underwater investigations with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Aug. 22, 2017. For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
A diver with Lam Hong Diving prepares to conduct a dive while supporting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on an underwater investigation of a potential aircraft crash site in the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug. 16, 2017. For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Photojournalism:
2nd Place: SSgt Leah Ferrante, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency,
JBPH-Hickam, Hawaii
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/247839/miss-yankee-rebel
Feature Photo:
2nd Place: SSgt Matthew Bruch, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency,
JBPH-Hickam, Hawaii
A local worker clears a field while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Military Photographer of the Year:
SSgt Matthew Bruch, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, JBPH-Hickam, Hawaii
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Truc Le, a Vietnamese translator assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), digs on the side of a mountain in Vietnam, Nov. 19, 2016, searching for the remains of a pilot lost in the Vietnam War. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
A local Laotian worker assisting members of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) takes a break from assisting on excavation while looking for a U.S. service member considered missing-in-action from the Vietnam War in Boualapha District, Laos, Feb 3, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
A diver with Lam Hong Diving prepares to conduct a dive while supporting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on an underwater investigation of a potential aircraft crash site in the South China Sea near Da Nang, Vietnam, Aug. 16, 2017. For the first time ever, DPAA is conducting underwater investigations utilizing a local Vietnamese dive company, Lam Hong Diving. The plan is to build a partnership with Lam Hong Diving in order to increase efficiency on future underwater investigations and recoveries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
U.S. Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy Honor Guard conduct a repatriation ceremony for Fireman First Class Charles Casto at the National Memorial of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, Sept. 14, 2017. Casto was killed along with his brother, Richard, aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB 37) during the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. Charles Casto’s remains were recently identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and his remains were reunited with those of his brother in the same plot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
A local worker from Nghe An province, Vietnam, takes a smoke break while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) during a recovery operation, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
U.S. service members stationed on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii conduct dive training at a site just south of Honolulu, Oct. 8, 2017. The trainees are conducting their certifications through the Department of Veterans Affairs as part of a civilian dive master program which is designed to open career opportunities after the military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Locals in Nghe An province, Vietnam walk near an excavation site manned by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
A local worker clears a field while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chase McFeron, an explosive ordinance disposal technician temporarily assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), interacts with local workers during a recovery operation in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Hugh Tuller, an anthropologist with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), examines soil for possible aircraft wreckage during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
A local worker poses with a peace sign while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Locals take a smoke break while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on a recovery operation in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Local workers assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) leave for a lunch break during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
U.S. service members assigned to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) explore Hanoi, Vietnam on a day off from conducting recovery operations around the country, Dec. 7, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Air Force 2017 Media Contest DPAA Award winners:
Feature Photo
1st Place: SSgt Bruch
A local worker clears a field while assisting the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) during a recovery mission in Nghe An province, Vietnam, Nov. 29, 2017. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
Operational Photo Series
2nd Place: SSgt Ferrante
Pieces of aircraft wreckage dries before being sorted as part of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) mission to Rodopi, Bulgaria, Aug. 17, 2017. The team conducted 69 days of excavation operations in search of World War ll pilot 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, who went down with his B-24 Liberator, the “Miss Yankee Rebel” 73 years ago. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Leah Ferrante)
U.S. Army Pacific Keith L. Ware 2017 DPAA Award Winners:
Category J: Video Story
1st Place: SSG Jamarius Fortson (DPAA)/Search for the Fallen
Category A: Operational Photo Series
1st SPC Lloyd Justine Villanueva (DPAA)/DPAA Disinterment
U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Russell with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) carries the American flag during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 27, 2017. The remains will be transferred to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
A detail of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel unfurl the American flag during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 27, 2017. The remains will be transferred to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
A detail of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel render honor during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 27, 2017. The remains will be transferred to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
A detail of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel prepare to transport a casket during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 27, 2017. The remains will be transferred to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
A detail of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel transport a casket during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 27, 2017. The remains will be transferred to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
A detail of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel prepare to transport a casket during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 27, 2017. The remains will be transferred to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
A detail of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) personnel transport a casket during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 27, 2017. The remains will be transferred to the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
Category F: Picture Story
1st Place: SGT Lloyd Justine Villanueva (DPAA)/Military Honors
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division escort the remains of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert E. Atkins, Dec. 15, 2017, in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. On May 23, 1951, Atkins, a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, engaged enemy forces with his unit near Mae-Bong, South Korea. Atkins and two other soldiers from his company were reported missing in action. Atkins was recently identified through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lloyd Villanueva)
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division escort the remains of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert E. Atkins, Dec. 15, 2017, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. On May 23, 1951, Atkins, a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, engaged enemy forces with his unit near Mae-Bong, South Korea. Atkins and two other soldiers from his company were reported missing in action. Atkins was recently identified through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lloyd Villanueva)
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division escort the remains of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert E. Atkins, Dec. 15, 2017, in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. On May 23, 1951, Atkins, a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, engaged enemy forces with his unit near Mae-Bong, South Korea. Atkins and two other soldiers from his company were reported missing in action. Atkins was recently identified through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lloyd Villanueva)
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division salute the remains of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert E. Atkins, Dec. 15, 2017, in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. On May 23, 1951, Atkins, a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, engaged enemy forces with his unit near Mae-Bong, South Korea. Atkins and two other soldiers from his company were reported missing in action. Atkins was recently identified through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lloyd Villanueva)
U.S. Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 26th Infantry Division fold the burial flag of U.S Army Cpl. Glen Edward Kritzwiser, who is laid to rest Aug. 3, 2017, in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. Kritzwiser was assigned to the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. Kritzwiser was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy near Hoengsong, South Korea on Feb. 13, 1951 and died while a prisoner on July 2, 1951. Kritzwiser was recently identified through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lloyd Villanueva)
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division fold the burial flag of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert E. Atkins, Dec. 15, 2017, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. On May 23, 1951, Atkins, a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, engaged enemy forces with his unit near Mae-Bong, South Korea. Atkins and two other soldiers from his company were reported missing in action. Atkins was recently identified through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lloyd Villanueva)
A U.S. Soldier assigned to 225th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division presents the burial flag to the next of kin of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert E. Atkins, Dec. 15, 2017, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. On May 23, 1951, Atkins, a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, engaged enemy forces with his unit near Mae-Bong, South Korea. Atkins and two other soldiers from his company were reported missing in action. Atkins was recently identified through DNA analysis with the help of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lloyd Villanueva)
Thursday, February 8, 2018 Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Quarterly Family/VSO/MSO Call Notes
http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1454592/defense-powmia-accounting-agency-dpaa-quarterly-familyvsomso-call-notes/
Field Operations Overview
Indo-Pacific (IP) Region:
Operations in Last 60 Days:
Tarawa, (via History Flight Group, DPAA partner)
Laos, 3x Recovery Team (RT)/ 1x Investigation Team (IT)
Philippines, (via University of Illinois-Chicago, DPAA partner)
Vietnam, 4x Recovery Teams (RT)/ 3x Research and Investigation Teams/ 1x Unilateral Excavation Team
Tarawa, Repatriation of remains
Palau, Repatriation of remains
Burma, 1x IT
Japan, 1x Joint IT (Saiki City Cemetery)
Operations next 30 days:
Papua New Guinea, 1x IT
South Korea, 1 Research/Investigation Team
Philippines, (via University of Illinois-Chicago, DPAA partner)
Disinterment Operations:
Punchbowl Cemetery (Hawaii): 16 disinterred in February and 16 in March
Eight planned for April
Manila ABMC: 20 disinterred in March
The Europe-Mediterranean Directorate concluded its 2nd Quarter investigation missions and are finalizing preparations for its 3rd Quarter investigation and recovery missions. The directorate conducted its first partnered mission, investigative work in Italy with East Carolina University, and is preparing for 10x partnered RTs and 5x partnered UITs in 3rd and 4th Quarters.
Operations in Last 30 Days:
Poland, 1x IT
Italy 1x IT (East Carolina University, DPAA Partner)
Upcoming Operations (next 30 days):
Italy, 1x RT
Poland, 1x RT
Germany, 1x IT, 1x RT
France, 1x RT
Romania, 1x IT
Russia, 1x IT
Disinterment Operations
These operations in Europe will resume Spring 2018
Scientific Analysis: The large scale project teams (i.e., Korean War Project, Tarawa Project, USS Oklahoma Project etc.) continue to work diligently and are adding to the cases for identification in monthly loss review meetings.
Statistics:
FY 2018 Identifications, as of March 28, 2018:
Total = 62 (62 identifications of unaccounted-for personnel)
WWII = 47
Korean War = 11
Cold War = 0
Vietnam War = 4