OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. –
Veterans of Foreign Wars Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief and Nebraska VFW leaders Visited the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s Offutt laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Dec. 3, 2024.
Timothy Peters, VFW Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, and the VFW team toured the DPAA lab facility to gain an in-depth understanding of the DPAA mission and the facility’s operations.
The visit offered the VFW members a first-hand look at the facility’s operations and meticulous work being done to account for the nations missing servicemembers.
“Historically, the VFW has steadfastly championed DPAA’s mission to account for Americans missing from past conflicts, who are also their comrades-in-arms,” said Kelly McKeague, DPAA director. “In addition to visits to our laboratory, VFW national leaders have traveled to Southeast Asia annually to visit DPAA teams operating in Vietnam and Laos.”
The visit saw meetings with DPAA staff, who provided a deep understanding of the day-to-day operations, the identification process and its significance, the agency’s history, and ultimately, and the tireless effort being made behind the scenes to drive DPAA’s mission forward.
Also, during the visit, the VFW members participated in an honorable carry ceremony, where they welcomed the arrival of 10 cases of evidence from the European-Mediterranean area of responsibility.
When potential remains are found within an AOR DPAA operates in, they are brought to one of two the DPAA laboratories for examination, with the DPAA laboratory located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam being the second.
The Offutt laboratory serves as the primary location for the identification of those unknowns from the European-Mediterranean region, with approximately 28,000 personnel from World War II remain unaccounted-for.
“Unfortunately, there are still too many in the U.S. that are unaware of the steps the government is taking through DPAA to repatriate all those missing in action presumed to be killed in action,” said Bradley Hazell, VFW director of operations. “The VFW strongly believes it is important for the public to know the full steps that are taken to provide a full accounting of our missing service members.”
The tour enabled DPAA personnel the opportunity to provide valuable insight of what the agency does, the scientific methods that are used throughout the research and recovery process, and a variety of other methods required for completing the agency’s mission of provide the fullest possible accounting for the U.S.’ missing personnel to their families and the nation.
“The group was impressed with the work that DPAA does and pledged their continued support of the DPAA mission,” said Dr. Carrie Brown, DPAA supervisory forensic anthropologist and laboratory manager.
From 2026 to 2027, Peters will be the VFW Commander-in-Chief, and during his tenure, he has stated that he will make the DPAA mission his focus.
Hazell emphasized the significance of this trip and future visits to the DPAA laboratories, underscoring the VFW’s steadfast commitment to supporting the DPAA’s mission, which is a “top priority for the organization.”
“Members from the VFW delegation will share this experience with their communities so that others can learn not just about the process [being made], but the dedication and compassion of DPAA staff,” said Hazell.