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Report: Air Force punished whistleblowers

An Army Transfer Unit moves the transfer case containing the remains of Army Sergent Brandon Maggart, of Kirksville, MO, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, in Dover, Delaware on August 23, 2010. UPI/Kevin Dietsch.
1 of 3 | An Army Transfer Unit moves the transfer case containing the remains of Army Sergent Brandon Maggart, of Kirksville, MO, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, in Dover, Delaware on August 23, 2010. UPI/Kevin Dietsch. | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force punished whistleblowers who revealed the improper disposal of human remains, a report released Tuesday said.

The disposal involved body parts handled by the Air Force Mortuary Service at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. It was revealed last year that some of the parts were dumped in a landfill by a contractor after cremation.

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Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, in a statement released by the Air Force, said the Office of Special Counsel has found retaliation against employees who revealed what had happened.

"Reprisals against employees are unethical and illegal and counter to Air Force core values," Donley said. "We take violations of the law seriously and have appointed a two-star general to review the report and take appropriate action."

Body parts are now scattered at sea after cremation if families request that the Air Force dispose of them.

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