SART helps recover remains, personal effects of victims

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  When an aircraft goes down or a natural disaster hits, there's always the possibility that human remains or aircraft parts may have to be recovered from the scene.

Aiding in these vital efforts is the duty of Moody's search and recovery teams, who receive training to ensure they can effectively respond when called upon.

"The SART's mission is to search for and recover deceased individuals and their personal effects," said Staff Sgt. Shannon Cafferello, 23rd Force Support Squadron mortuary technician. "Although we aren't called very often, it's vital to stay properly trained so we can provide a good response."

Classroom and hands-on training are provided to simulate emergency-type scenarios which include mass casualties, suicides, and plane and car crashes.

"During the classroom portion, students learn about their specific responsibilities and systematic search techniques," said Sergeant Cafferello. "Along with knowing how to search and communicate correctly, they were also taught the importance of being aware of everything including insects, animals, personal protective equipment and even each other. After this portion, they are able to put these techniques to use at the field training exercise site."

In addition to learning and implementing the techniques, the students were also advised on proper safety.

"Physically, weather conditions here can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke so it's important to keep an eye on each other," Sergeant Cafferello said. "The SART members may also witness some gruesome scenes involving the remains so maintaining a good state of mental health is important."

The regulation governing these types of searches, Air Force Instruction 34-501, "Mortuary Affairs Procedures and Benefits," was recently revised and changed the number of members in each team.

"Before the changes, each base had a 26-man team with members from various squadrons," said Sergeant Cafferello. "Regulations now require just one 11-man team, but because of our high ops tempo, Moody has two teams with members from the 23rd FSS, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron and 23rd Wing Public Affairs."

A former SART member also provided her expertise in order to emphasize the importance of the training to the students.

Patricia Dinwiddie, 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron unit program coordinator, is not on the team now, but was an active member and a master sergeant in 1999 when a plane crashed here and left two Blue Angels pilots dead.

"The day was like any other and even though you're a part of the SART team, you never really expect to be called in for something," said Ms. Dinwiddie. "I had just gotten home for lunch when the beeper went off.

"On the way home, I saw fire trucks going down the road, but like most people, I didn't think it would have anything to do with me," she added. "On the drive back to base, I could see smoke in the distance so I knew it was bad."

Once she arrived at the scene, Ms. Dinwiddie was struck by the devastation.

"Luckily, the U.S. Navy maintainers who accompanied the pilots came and recovered the actual remains," she said. "I think dealing with the remains would have made it worse. We ended up dealing only with recovering the personal effects."

Whether or not the teams are called, both women agree that the training is vital in making sure they are ready.

"It's important to remember we are providing an honorable service for the families," said Sergeant Cafferello. "When fatalities occur, family and friends want closure and desire the opportunity to mourn their loved ones in their own way. Because we go out and help recover the remains and belongings, the family can now have a proper funeral for their loved one."