Reservists respond to tragedy

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (USTCNS) --- Thirteen members of the 315th Mission Support Squadron Services Flight departed Charleston AFB for Dover AFB, Del., Sept. 13 to aid mortuary affairs personnel there.

Members of the all-volunteer team left their jobs and families on a moment's notice to help where they could, according to Maj. Tom Egbert, 315th Services Flight commander.

Egbert and his team will perform a variety of duties, he said. In addition to assisting in identifying victims, the team will preserve the victims' personal effects, assemble uniforms and help out in any other way required.

This is the second real-world incident Egbert has responded to. The first was an Army helicopter crash.

"I know what's coming," he said. "You just have to stay focused on the job you have to do and keep your mind from wandering. You don't think about the kids without a dad or mom or the wife without a husband."

This is also the second incident for Master Sgt. Tom Dombrowski, 315th Mission Support Squadron, who was with Egbert in responding to the helicopter crash.

"Somebody has to do it," Dombrowski said. "I'm not looking forward to it."

Dombrowski's son is going up a rank in Boy Scouts this weekend. "I'll miss his corps of honor," Dombrowski said.

His job will miss him, too. Dombrowski works in the 315th Airlift Wing's budget office.

"It's closeout time," Dombrowski said, referring to the end of the fiscal year. "It really puts a strain on everyone else in the office, but they know this is a job that must be done."

All of the team members made sacrifices to help out, and Tech. Sgt. Deborah Fraser, 315th MSS, is no exception.

Fraser is leaving behind a seven-week-old baby to help where she can.

"It's very difficult," Fraser said. "But I thought of the families; how important it is for them to have their loved ones; to say goodbye. It's hard to believe something like this could happen in the U.S."

This is the second mortuary affairs team Fraser has worked with. She also responded with a 315th MSS team to Dover AFB following the tragedy on the USS Cole.

For many of the volunteers, helping out was something they said they had to do.

"You're home sitting in front of the TV wondering what you can do to help," said Staff Sgt. Edna Doctor, 315th MSS. "We have a chance to do something."

In the past, Doctor responded to two Army helicopter crashes. Doctor's eleven-year-old daughter was concerned about her mother leaving. "I told her we were okay, we weren't going to New York or Washington," said Doctor. "I did tell her we were driving instead of flying. I didn't want her to be afraid.

"It's been a long day," Doctor continued, "We've been here since 7:30 a.m., just waiting. But this whole thing made me realize life is so short, so it doesn't bother me to sit and wait."

"I don't know why I do this," Brown said. "I just enjoy helping other people." Brown has been a member of the Reserve since 1992. She said her employers are always supportive.

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)