DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- For an organization as meticulous and mission-focused as Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, the behind-the-scenes programs are just as comprehensive as the operations they support. AFMAO's Readiness and Plans Division, also known as XP, is made up of active-duty permanent party personnel and civilian employees who ensure the organization remains prepared for any mission. Their efforts contribute to consistently outstanding programs and facilities, including multiple perfect Department of the Air Force inspection scores.
XP is a division composed of multiple sections including the Department of the Air Force honor guard policy and program management and the Air Force cemetery program. XP facilitates multiple internal and external inspections, including the commander’s inspection program, and manage organizational safety and security. XP leads the readiness mission for AFMAO, with a main priority being the reception of forces (deployed personnel from across multiple bases).
The team documents and oversees required training for personnel, including Total Force Awareness Training (TFAT) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for licensed professionals such as embalmers and funeral directors. XP also collaborates with divisions across AFMAO to coordinate and facilitate mission-critical courses, including the Port Mortuary Affairs Course (PMAC) and Mortuary Officer and Technician Course (MOT), ensuring mortuary leads and augmentees are fully prepared to support the mission.
Their internal exercises include mass fatality and emergency response drills to joint and major command exercises, while updating plans to fit modern, large‑scale and sustained‑operations scenarios. XP leads the readiness mission for AFMAO, coordinating taskings and surge support with higher headquarters and with Team Dover members.
“The XP team contributes to AFMAO exercises because we are dedicated to creating an environment that promotes professional competency, continuous improvement, and learning for members of the AFMAO team,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Janely Garcia, XP’s education and training NCOIC. “Every exercise that happens within the unit is planned and evaluated by us. We then provide accurate information to the commander so that appropriate changes can be made. “
Day to day operations for XP involve something new every day, due to the ever-changing nature of base honor guard, wing involvement, and variating AFMAO mission requirements.
“Between the internal and external inspections and programs like the honor guard, we’re always helping teams in the field navigate the oddball, niche things that get thrown their way,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jared Middleton, XP division chief. “It’s definitely a very unique mission and no two days are the same.”
The team also manages DAF Honor Guard program policy and training for both Air Force and Space Force base honor guards, helping installations with program management, reporting, and resource requests. They manage resident courses at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, train other base honor guard programs and their leadership how to operate at the best level. In addition, XP oversees the Air Force cemetery program, including active, inactive, closed cemeteries and efforts to transfer some sites to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
“We’re really working on expanding our partnerships with our host wing… it’s been really rather refreshing seeing some of the high-level things that are being thought about and practiced,” said Middleton. “The exercises that we participated in with Air Force Casualty and Air Force Families Forever help ensure that not only are they getting the most appropriate treatment during the dignified transfer and while they’re here, but going forward in the future as survivor care.”
Without the rigorous oversight and meticulous planning provided by the XP team, AFMAO would not be able to consistently uphold its commitment to providing the utmost dignity, honor, and respect to our fallen, or the care, service, and support their families deserve. Through precise day-to-day operations and an unwavering commitment to readiness, XP helps ensure AFMAO remains an elite organization, empowering its personnel to carry out the mission with precision and dedication.
"The importance of having a plans and programs division is that: although everyone is professional, we ensure that everyone is not just meeting the standard but exceeding it," said Garcia.