BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE MISSION DIRECTIVE 16
26 SEPTEMBER 2019
Personnel
AIR FORCE MORTUARY AFFAIRS
OPERATIONS (AFMAO)
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available for downloading or ordering on the
e-Publishing website at http://www.e-publishing.af.mil.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasibility restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AF/DS
Supersedes: AFMD16, 26 January 2015
Certified by: AF/CVA
(Lt Gen Jacqueline D. Van Ovost)
Pages: 4
This directive states the mission, organizational relationships, and delegation of authority for the
Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations as an Air Force Field Operating Agency. Refer
recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary
Responsibility using the AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication; route AF
Forms 847 from the field through the appropriate functional chain of command. Submit requests
for waivers through the chain of command to the Publication OPR. Ensure that records created
because of processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with Air Force
Manual 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with the Air Force
Records Disposition Schedule located in the Air Force Records Information Management
System. This directive applies to members of the Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air
Force Reserves. In collaboration with the Chief of the Air Force Reserve, and the Director of the
Air National Guard, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services (AF/A1)
develops personnel policy for Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations. This publication may not
be supplemented.
1. Mission. Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations executes and integrates United States Air
Force mortuary programs to care for fallen service members and their families while meeting
field commanders’ needs, supporting both present and past conflicts. Air Force Mortuary Affairs
Operations operates and maintains the port-of-entry within the continental United States on
behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force. Serves as the Department of Defense component with
operational oversight of the Dignified Transfer Process and related Media Access Policy in
