Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Christin Michaud
  • AFMAO Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Col. Thomas C. Joyce took command of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center from Col. Robert H. Edmondson during a change of command ceremony Oct. 7 in which Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, presided.

Guests of the ceremony, held at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, included Charles E. Milam, Director of Air Force Services, Headquarters United States Air Force, the 436th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Manson O. Morris, the 512th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Randal L. Bright as well as group commanders from Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The men and women of AFMAO, both military and civilian, permanent party and deployed, were also in attendance to welcome the new commander and bid farewell to the old during the first event of this kind since the organization stood up in January 2009.

"I am humbled and privileged to be given the opportunity to command a unit with such a noble mission," said Colonel Joyce. "I stand here in awe of those who work here. The simplest and most heartfelt description I've heard about the work this unit does was given by Colonel Edmondson when he said, 'it's hard work, but it's not hard to do.' He's so right. I can think of nothing more important than taking care of America's fallen and their families."

Colonel Joyce comes to AFMAO from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyz Republic, where he served as the commander of the 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group.