Air Force Criticized in Handling of Troop Remains

The Air Force is coming in for criticism over its handling of the remains of America's war dead, including complaints that it has not been upfront about the extent of the problem.

The service says body parts of troops have been lost on two occasions at its mortuary in Dover, Del., and cremated portions of some remains were sent to a landfill.

Democratic Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey said Thursday that the Air Force has been stonewalling families and officials trying to get information on practices at the mortuary.

A spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Joe Davis, said officials have been trying to "spin" the facts.

The comments follow revelations that the Air Force sent 274 remains to landfills, far more than previously acknowledged.