Mission Accomplished: We found my MIA

[US Scout]

For those who have wondered what takes up all my time and causes me to travel to interesting places, you can read the results here.  I've been working this case for almost 10 years exactly.  Now maybe the government will let me retire.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12862

Remains Identified as Navy Captain Michael Scott Speicher:

The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) has positively identified remains recovered in Iraq as those of Captain Michael Scott Speicher.  Captain Speicher was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet over west-central Iraq on January 17th, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.

Acting on information provided by an Iraqi citizen in early July, US Marines stationed in Al Anbar Province went to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Captain Speicher's jet.  The Iraqi citizen stated he knew of two Iraqi citizens who recalled an American jet impacting the desert and the remains of the pilot being buried in the desert.  One of these Iraqi citizens stated that they were present when Captain Speicher was found dead at the crash site by Bedouins and his remains buried.  The Iraqi citizens led US Marines to the site who searched the area.  Remains were recovered over several days during the past week and flown to Dover Air Force Base for scientific identification by the AFIP's Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner.

The recovered remains include bones and multiple skeletal fragments.  Positive identification was made by comparing Captain Speicher's dental records with the jawbone recovered at the site. The teeth are a match, both visually and radiographically.

[Bull Schmitt]

A sincere thank you to all who worked so diligently to find Captain Speicher. You have brought closure to Captain Speicher's family. We are very grateful for the sacrifice he made for our country.  Well done!

Bvt Col Bull Schmitt
GAF Adjutant General

[litl rooster]

 My homepage had the story this morning.    Thank you for closing one more and bringing him home.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Good job, sir.
Thanks for your service.

Slim

[Sod Buster]

Congratulations on a job well done, sir.
I head it several times on the radio this morning while driving to a SASS shoot.

Thank You for your service.

[Drydock]

We sat in a bar in Bahrain and talked of many things, glad you've seen the end of this.   Well done, sir!

[Frenchie]

May Captain Speicher's name shine forever, and thank you, Sir, for your service and dedication.

[Trailrider]

Thank you, Sir, for your tireless efforts to bring Capt. Speicher home!  This will bring closure to his family and reassurance to all our troops that if you are KIA, no matter how long it takes, America will bring you home if it is at all humanly possible. Thanks, again, Sir.  Semper Fi!

Your humble servant,

[US Scout]

I experienced a "first" in my career yesterday.  The Navy wanted me to brief the family so put me aboard the Chief of Naval Operations Lear jet yesterday and flew me down to Florida.  My boss and I went from the office to the airfield, boarded the aircraft and took off.  Spent the night in the Visitors Quarters and then briefed the family this morning and reboarded the CNO's airplane about noon and flew back to the office.  Tomorrow we brief a couple of Senators.  Its going to be a busy week ahead...

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF

[Pitspitr]

I suspect that after 18 years the family had to know that Capt. Speicher wasn't coming home alive, yet I'm sure it was still emotional.

General, I'm sure your job isn't an easy one, nor one that often gets appreciated. But I'm sure that it has to be rewarding in a way too. Thank you for the service you provide to the American people!

[Dalton Masterson]

Well, they couldnt have had a better person to speak to the family than a GAF/CAS member.
Thank you for getting him home and back to his loved ones.
DM