The DUSTOFF Association is a nonprofit incorporated veterans’ organization for Army Medical Department enlisted and officer personnel, aviation crewmembers, and others who are (or ever were) engaged in (or actively supported in any capacity) Army aeromedical evacuation programs in war or peace.

Restored Solo Pilot Aircraft
Honors War Casualties

A dedicated team of structural aircraft mechanics with Company B (the "Bandits"), 563rd Aviation Support Battalion, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, has devoted numerous hours of their personal time to restoring a Hiller OH-23B Raven helicopter at Ft. Campbell, KY, soon to be on display outside the Warrior Transition Battalion here.

"The Raven was used to transport wounded Soldiers from the battlefield to the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MAST) units," said CPT Rodney Potter, the XO for the WTB. "It's symbolic because we, as a WTB also. help Soldiers either get back to the Army or transition out."

The Solo Pilots were a group of courage, committed and innovative elite military aviators who brought rotary wing ambulances into the battlefield environment during the Korean War. 

This aircraft will be dedicated on 13 Jun 13 at Ft. Campbell, KY.

---

SFC Armando Ocon Named
AAAA NCO of the Year

SFC Armando Ocon, a flight medic from Company C, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, was presented with the 2012 Army Aviation Association of America Rodney J.T. Yano Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Award at the 2013 AAAA Annual Professional Forum in Fort Worth, TX, 11 Apr 13.

During 2012, SFC Ocon served as a senior flight medic, company standardization instructor, and platoon sergeant for “Lightning DUSTOFF” in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

On more than one occasion, SFC Ocon selflessly risked his own safety to save Troops on the battlefield. “SFC Ocon embodies the NCO Creed,” said CPT Margaret Larson, executive officer, C/3-25 AVN. “He is always willing to mentor soldiers and leaders. He does the same tasks he asks of his soldiers.” [Read More]

---

Montenegro Humanitarian Assistance

Less than six months after returning from a tour in Afghanistan where CPT Hill saw some of the worst of the worst, he was chosen to lead the Aeromedical Evacuation part of the support of Montenegro during some horrible winter weather. The 1-214th Aviation Regiment from Germany deployed with a part of C-1-214th in support. Here is a clip from a video highlighting the humanitarian mission performed. In the words of his former commander Major Patrick Zenk, “Terry Hill is a stud that represents those of us who came before him, and presents a great example of a young DUSTOFFer who is continuing the legacy."
[Watch video interview]

---

AdoptaPlatoon Highlights DUSTOFF Unit

AdoptaPlatoon is an organization that sponsors campaigns for sending needed items to our troops. One current campaign is "To Afghanistan With Love." U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan have a difficult task and need to know they are supported. By participating in one of their campaigns, support is sent to chaplains and/or civilians supporting our troops in the area and items are distributed to the troops. [See More Pictures]

---