POW/MIA mission reorganization moves forward

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SON LA PROVINCE, Vietnam (November 06, 2014) - Dr. Joshua Peck, a forensic anthropologist with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, records data during an effort to locate an unaccounted-for Airman from the Vietnam War as part of JPAC recovery operations in Son La Province, Vietnam, Nov. 6, 2014.
SON LA PROVINCE, Vietnam (November 06, 2014) – Dr. Joshua Peck, a forensic anthropologist with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, records data during an effort to locate an unaccounted-for Airman from the Vietnam War as part of JPAC recovery operations in Son La Province, Vietnam, Nov. 6, 2014.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of intense congressional scrutiny over accounting matters,  the decision to merge three veterans organizations was made last year by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Being merged are the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, and the Air Force Life Science Equipment Laboratory. The consolidation will include policy guidance, archival research and analysis, and worldwide field investigations and recovery operations.

Also being realigned is the scientific element of the mission, which moves JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory under the Armed Forces Medical Examiner. Included in the new look will be a centralized budget, a consolidated case management system, and expanded public-private partnerships.

The nation’s largest war veterans’ organization, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, is hopeful that the impending merger and realignment of the Defense Department organizations and functions will produce the right cooperation and efficiency to achieve the fullest possible accounting of missing service personnel from all wars.

Screenshot 2015-01-13 at 4.24.29 PM“There’s always been strong unity of purpose when it comes to recovering, identifying and returning fellow Americans to their families,” said John W. Stroud, national commander of the 1.9 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Auxiliaries, “but what’s been lacking is unity of command and direction, which is what the VFW is hopeful this reorganization will achieve.”

The newly formed organization has yet to be given a new name, but interim leadership was announced at a Pentagon meeting last week. Navy Rear Adm. Michael Franken will be the agency’s interim director. Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, JPAC’s current commander, will serve as deputy director. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Linnington, military deputy to the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will be the agency’s senior adviser to Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Christine Wormuth, whose office will oversee the new agency.

“Mission accomplishment is what’s important to the VFW,” said Stroud, “and we look forward to working with the new leadership to help keep America’s promise to our military and all their families that we will not leave a fallen comrade on the battlefield.”


ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of combat veterans and eligible military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation’s largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans organization. With nearly 1.9 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,900 Posts worldwide, “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” The VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs worldwide. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.

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Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!