Joint Field Activities

At the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), we divide our work in Vietnam into units we call Joint Field Activities, better known to teams as JFAs.  During a routine fiscal year, we conduct four JFAs lasting 34 days throughout the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in areas best suited to work based on the weather.  We have been conducting JFAs in Vietnam since 1988, and have begun advance work for the 111th JFA (also known by its number within the fiscal year as 13-3VM).

The last complete field activity that I participated in as a team member was the 14th JFA in July 1991.  A lot of things were different then from team composition, the roadways, cities, communications, and my age.  I was 25 years old and knew very little about the organization, known then as the Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC).  The organization changed its name to the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) and grew exponentially in 1992.  It wasn't until a year after I returned as a civilian, in 2003, that we changed our name to JPAC, and went worldwide in our POW/MIA search.

Now, at the age of 47, I am returning to the teams - at least for the time being - and will begin a new chapter in my work here in Vietnam.  I leave on Sunday to integrate into the Investigation Team and will work in Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Tri Provinces for the following 30 days.  I look forward to the operation, but know I will miss the time I have with my family.  In the past, I traveled extensively during the JFAs, offering support to the Detachment leadership, or conducting small activities in the form of interviews or analyst support for forensic reviews. But, in those cases I generally would not be gone for longer than two weeks at a shot.  I think it is funny that I see dealing with not being home as the toughest part of this; especially considering we will be moving through dense jungle and over rugged terrain in extreme heat and humidity with such unfriendly and inhospitable travel partners as leeches, snakes, spiders and mosquitos.

I will have my camera and hope to get some good pictures.  Unfortunately, the security limitations we have on our computers mean I will not be posting any until after the activity is over.

I feel I have everything in order before I leave. I have spent some quality time with Diep and Megan and I think they are set while I am gone. After the JFA, I have only a couple of days in Hanoi before we leave for home and I will have three weeks in the USA, traveling extensively - if things line up with what I currently envision (big IF). 

Diep will have an early birthday party on Friday. She turns 43 on 20 May and probably is just using her birthday as an excuse to host a party.  That's fine, it will be a small get together and I will try to look like I am enjoying it.

Megan has exams this week. Her grades have come up in the last few months and she seems to be more focused.  Not only on her school work, but on her heatlh, too!  Things are looking positive for her to get a summer hire job at the embassy when we get back from our home leave, as well.  Even if she doesn't get a position, her efforts have been a success. If nothing else, she has better insight on how to build a resume, submit an application and do a job interview.