Time is 11:15 on January 19, 2013. The 'Dignified Transfer' return home of a hero from Operation Enduring Freedom | Afghanistan Sgt. David J. Chambers

A dignified transfer is the process by which, upon the return from the theater of operations to the United States, the remains of fallen military members are transferred from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle and then to the port mortuary. The dignified transfer is not a ceremony; rather, it is a solemn movement of the transfer case by a carry team of military personnel from the fallen member's respective service. A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country. A senior ranking officer of the fallen member's service presides over each dignified transfer.

All returning service members are considered as "believed to be" until they can be confirmed through finger prints, dental records and/or DNA. After a service member has been identified and prepared for return to their families, they are placed in a casket and transported to their final resting place. This process is a Solemn event; not a ceremony.

Dignified Transfer Host: Col. Richard G. Moore, Jr. U.S. Air Force, Commander, 436th Airlift Wing, Dover AFB. Senior Ranking Officer: Brig. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, U.S. Army, Special Assistant to the Director, Army National Guard, Chaplin (Capt.) Jose Martinez.

Carry team carries transfer case of Sgt. David J. Chambers to the mortuary transfer vehicle

Sgt. David J. Chambers, 25, of Hampton, Va., died Jan. 16, in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered an enemy improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, under control of the 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.

Dignified transfer officer orders “Present, Arms” (slow movement salute)

Carry team places the transfer case of Sgt. David J. Chambers into the mortuary transfer vehicle

All returning service members are considered as "believed to be" until they can
be confirmed through finger prints, dental records and/or DNA. After a service member has been identified and prepared for return to their families, they are placed in a casket and transported to their final resting place. This process is a Solemn event; not a ceremony.

Transfer vehicle guide Senior Airman Amn Tameca Burnett closes the doors to transfer vehicle

Final Steps Mortuary vehicle driver starts engine, and Security Forces vehicle moves into escort position in front Transfer vehicle begins to pull away
Dignified transfer officer orders final “Present, Arms” and “Order, Arms” (slow salute) as vehicle departs Carry team follows (by walking) transfer vehicle, with the transfer vehicle guide walking behind the carry team

Each week, a squad of Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is set aside from the typical ceremonial tasking to take upon itself a most difficult honor. These Soldiers are on call, 24 hours a day, weekday or weekend, to receive the remains of America's fallen heroes at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, DE

Sgt. David J. Chambers, 25, of Hampton, Va., died Jan. 16, in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered an enemy improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, under control of the 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.