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MLN 80-


MISSING PERSONNEL TO THE CUSTODY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMITTEE OF  
THE RED CROSS
1.  REF A PROVIDES DOD PUBLIC AFFAIRS POLICY ANO GUIDANCE FOR
REPATRIATION AND RETURN OF AMERICAN FORCES PRISONERS OF WAR FROM IRAQ
TO U.S. AUTHORITIES. REF B PROVIDES NAMES OF REPATRIATED AIR FORCE
SERVICE MEMBERS. THIS MESSAGE FURTHER CONTAINS SPECIFIC AIR FORCE
GU1DANCE FOR RESPONDING TO MEDIA GUERIES AND PUBLIC REQUESTS FOR
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RETURN OF AIR FORCE PRISONERS OF WAR FROM IRAQ
AND CONUS ARRIVAL CEREMOMOIES.
2. DOD APPOINTED AIR FORCE AS THE COORDINATING SERVICE FOR ALL
RETURNED PRISONER OF WAR MATTERS BEYOND USCENTCOM AUTHORITY TO
INCLUDE COORDINATING REPATRIATION EFFORTS FOR ALL SERVlCES. THE AIR
FORCE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR OPERATIONS IS THE OVERALL OPR FOR POW

PAGE 03 RUEAHQ7981 UNCLAS
REPATRIATION.  SAF/PA 1S RESPONSIBLE FOR PHASE II -- IN TRANSIT
PUBLIC AFFAIRS ARRIVAL ACTIVITIES.
3.  AS OF 6 MARCH. EIGHT (8) AIR FORCE SERVICE MEMBERS (REF B) HAVE
BEEN RELEASED TO THE CUSTODY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE
RED CROSS. THESE SERVICE MEMBERS WILL HAVE PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS
IN THE USCENTCOM AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY PRIOR TO RETURNING TO CONUS.
CURRENT PLANNING CALLS FOR THE REPATRIATED POW/MISSING PERSONNEL TO
ARRIVE IN CONUS AT ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, MARYLAND. THE DATE OF
ARRIVAL FOR THE RETURNEES MAY BE AS EARLY AS SUNDAY,10 MARCH. BUT
ULTIMATELY DEPENDS ON EACH INDIVIDUAL SERVICE MEMDER'S MEDICAL/HEALTH
CONDITION AND THEIR ABILITY TO TRAVEL.
4. UPON ARRIVAL AT ANDREWS AFB, THE RETURNEES WILL PARTICIPATE IN
OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON WELCOME HOME CEREMOMIES AND BE REUNlTED WITH
THEIR FAMILIES. IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE CONSIDERED GUESTS OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND HAVE BEEN EXTENDED INVITATIONAL TRAVEL
ORDERS. TRANSPORTATION AND BILLETING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANDREWS AFB
ARE ARRANGED THROUGH A CASUALTY ASSISTANCE TEAM ASSIGNED TO ASSIST
EACH FAMILY.
5. MEDICAL/HEALTH CARE OF THE REPATRIATED SERVICE MEMBERS IS THE TOP
PRIORITY. ALL OF THE RETURNEES ARE BEING BROUGHT TO ANDREWS AFB




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