News-Info-Alerts

Re: CILHI & JTFFA Merge

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: July 08, 2002

"June 24, 2002

ORGANIZATIONS MERGE FOR MORE EFFICIENT RECOVERY OF UNACCOUNTED FOR SERVICEMEN

HICKAM AFB, Hawaii — The Department of Defense has recommended the merging of the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI) and Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) into one organization. The goal is to have the organizations merged by October 2003.

The recommendation was made by the U.S. Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command to merge both units to increase the operational efficiency under the same commander and staff. “The new command would have the mission to search for, recover and identify remains of American military personnel and American civilian personnel unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War and the Vietnam War. The merging of the two units and standup of a single joint command is operationally sound and will clearly demonstrate the U.S. government's increased commitment to resolving the accounting mission,” said Joint Task Force-Full Accounting Commander Brig. Gen. Steven J. Redmann.

All present day missions and functions at CILHI and JTF-FA will continue, unless otherwise directed by the Department of Defense. The merger will not lessen either organization’s commitment or efforts to the accounting effort. All investigative and recovery teams will continue deploying worldwide in full strength. “CILHI and JTF-FA remain devoted, dedicated and determined to achieving the fullest possible accounting of our missing personnel from our nation's wars. This is another step to increase efforts for the mission of bringing home our unaccounted for service members. Combining both our assets, personnel and expertise can only equal a stronger and more efficient organization,” said CILHI Deputy Commander Johnie E. Webb Jr.

Prior to the merger, Department of Defense personnel will determine staffing, budget and facility requirements through several studies. The merger committee will consists of personnel from the Joint Staff, Army Staff, the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, the Pacific Command Staff, CILHI and JTF-FA.

For more information contact the CILHI Public Affairs Officer Ginger Couden at (808) 448-8903 ext. 109 or
JTF-FA Public Affairs Office at (808) 477-5301"