DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. —
In an effort to hone their process for casualties, the Marine Corps Liaison team hosted an exercise Sept. 24-25 to test its capability to care for the nation's fallen Marines who come to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
Jim Gorham, the new Marine Corps liaison chief, and Gunnery Sgt. John Clements hosted Marine Corps Casualty personnel to give them an example of what to expect should a casualty occur.
Clements will be leaving as the Marine Corps liaison and is the last Marine liaison to be assigned at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs in support of the mortuary mission.
Gorham, a former Navy mortician and retired chief petty officer, will serve as the focal point for future casualties.
Although the exercise was scheduled before his arrival, Gorham said it was beneficial considering there has only been one dignified transfer of a Marine since he started.
The exercise was an opportunity for Gorham and the casualty and long term care team from Marine Corps Station Quantico, Virginia to see first-hand the entire process from notification of next of kin to the dignified transfer process once a casualty occurs.
Carl Swenson, Marine Corps Casualty case manager, Tammy McFadden, Long Term Assistance Program manager, Abdul Mondol, Long Term Assistance Program, Christopher Longoria, Long Term Assistance Program and Marine Corps Cpl. Kevin Campos, Marine Corps Funeral Honors, all from Quantico traveled to the mortuary to participate in the exercise.
"All of these participants will be responding in the event of a Marine Corps casualty," explained Clements.
Once Clements leaves, Campos and Sgt. Landon Beaty, a liaison previously assigned here, will be the responders in uniform. One of the Department of the Marine Corps civilians with the Long Term Care program, will travel to Dover to provide additional assistance to the families, said Clements.
"Thank you to everyone who assisted in making this exercise a success," said Clements. "The Marine Corps is undergoing many changes in manpower and this exercise was one step in ensuring that we never fail the mission here at Dover."