A solemn dignified transfer of remains is conducted upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, DE, from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in the service of our country. Captain Benjamin A. Sklaver, Medford, MA, Sgt. Aaron M. Smith, Manhattan, KS, Spc. Russell Hercules Jr., Murfreeburo, TN, Pfc. Brandon A. Owens, Memphis, TN, Location of deaths: Operation Enduring Freedom | Spc. Paul E. Andersen, Dowogaic, MI - Location of death: Operation Iraqi Freedom

The transfer case containing the remains of Sgt. Aaron M. Smith

The transfer case containing the remains of Pfc. Brandon A. Owens

Dignified Transfer Officer Colonel Manson O. Morris, U.S. Air Force, Senior Ranking Officer Brig. Gen Thomas A. Horlander, U.S. Army, Chaplin Major Timothy Bach, U.S. Air Force and carry team board aircraft

Chaplain Major Timothy Bach, U.S. Air Force offers prayer for the fallen on board the aircraft

Transfer case is moved into position on K-loader prior to being lowered to the ground

Army Capt. Benjamin A. Sklaver died October 2, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom 32, of Medford, Mass.; assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve, Greensboro, N.C.; died Oct. 2 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when he was attacked by a suicide bomber.

Carry team carries transfer case of Captain Benjamin A. Sklaver to the mortuary transfer vehicle

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

Carry team moves transfer case into the mortuary transfer vehicle

Carry team carries transfer case of Sgt. Aaron M. Smith to the mortuary transfer vehicle

Army Sgt. Aaron M. Smith died October 2, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom 25, of Manhattan, Kan.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Oct. 2 in Nerkh district, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

Carry team moves transfer case into the mortuary transfer vehicle

Transfer case of Spc. Russell Hercules Jr. is moved into position on K-loader

Carry team carries transfer case of Spc. Paul E. Andersen to the mortuary transfer vehicle

Army Spc. Paul E. Andersen Died October 1, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom 49, of Dowagiac, Mich.; assigned to the 855th Quartermaster Company, U.S. Army Reserve, South Bend, Ind.; died Oct. 1 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his camp using indirect fire.

Army Spc. Russell S. Hercules Jr. died October 1, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom 22, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Oct. 1 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.

Carry team carries transfer case of Spc. Russell Hercules Jr. to the mortuary transfer vehicle

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

Transfer case of Pfc. Brandon A. Owens is moved into position on K-loader

Army Spc. Brandon A. Owens died October 2, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom 21, of Memphis, Tenn.; assigned to the 118th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Oct. 2 at FOB Shank province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit using small-arms fire.

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

Carry team places transfer case of Pfc. Brandon A. Owens to the mortuary transfer vehicle

Transfer vehicle guide Airman Lisibeth Payano slowly 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

Dignified transfer officer and senior ranking officer follow (walking) behind the transfer vehicle guide, ending the dignified transfer