Vet News: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Becomes Operational

The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) officially merge today into the newly established Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in ceremonies at both locations.

In March 2014, Secretary of Defense Hagel directed the department to reorganize efforts into a single, accountable organization with comprehensive oversight of the past conflict personnel accounting resources, research, and operations. The new agency combines DPMO, JPAC, and select functions of the U.S. Air Force's Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory (LSEL). 

"Today marks an important step in establishing the new agency and the continued commitment to the families of service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and remain unaccounted for," said Christine E. Wormuth, undersecretary of defense for policy.

On Jan. 9 the secretary announced Rear Adm. Mike Franken as the interim director of the agency, Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague as the interim deputy, and Lt. Gen. Mike Linnington as the senior advisor. They will lead the agency into this phase of the consolidation process and are committed to fulfilling our obligation to the families who have lost a loved one and providing the answers they deserve, while increasing identification capacity.

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for Americans, who went missing while serving our country contact Lt. Col. Melinda Morgan, 703- 699-1169, [email protected].