Articles from past editions of The DUSTOFFer
Medical Evacuation Concepts and Capabilities Division (MECCD)Written by: Mr. George Hildebrandt, SFC Michael Bishop, SFC Billy Raines, and Mr. Lance Jones. Army Aeromedical Evacuation has been the sole platform for intra-theater patient movement for the last twenty years of conflict. During that time we have seen changes across the fleet and community from the airframe, …
From the Wiregrass S/S 2021 – Modernizing Aircraft Read More »
1SG Eric W. Pelkey – US Army School of Aviation Medicine Change is good! It limits complacency and breeds innovation within organizations. The “status quo” is not always the best answer when faced with stressful transitions or global transformations. Despite continuous change, “the Army goes rolling along.” The leadership at the School of Army …
OR – How a nurse destroyed my beautiful car. During its long run, the Vietnam war caused all sorts of tragic losses including the most beautiful car I have ever seen. Let me tell you that sad story. In late 1963, there was some hope the AMEDD would obtain newly developed Caribou fixed wing aircraft …
By Phil Marshall, DMZ “Dustoff 711,” 237th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) Camp Evans and Quang Tri, Vietnam 1969, published in Association of Naval Aviation, “Cape Fear Seahawk Newsletter,” July 2012, Vol. XV, Issue VII. In order to be “Old and Wise,” one must first be young and stupid. —Ancient U.S. Army proverb I arrived in …
Written by Bill Hughes – with introduction by Doug Moore BILL HUGHES: An Original Flight Medic – by Doug Moore In the pre-historic era of 1964, the 57th had an 18-year-old medic by the name of Sp4 Bill Hughes. Bill was a tough kid from Jersey who learned to love the Army for its …
It is with great pride and respect that we announce the winners of the 2020 Awards Program. These awards will be presented at the 41st DUSTOFF Reunion at our Annual Awards Banquet on 28 August 2021 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Columbus, GA. Details of the reunion are on our website (https://dustoff.org) (https://dustoff.org/announcing-reunion-2021-initial-plans/) …
COL Enrique (Rick) Ortiz Jr.Greetings DUSTOFF Family! This article marks a bittersweet milestone – this will be my last DUSTOFFer article as the 67J Consultant. My greatest reflection is that it has truly been a distinct honor to serve our 67J Dustoff community over the last four years. What I learned in my tenure is …
God does not subtract from man’s allotted time the hours spent while flying, but He exacts harsh penalties for those who do not learn to land properly. The difference between fear and terror: fear is when your calculations show you may not have enough fuel to make it to your destination. Terror is when you …
I am certain most pilots have experienced strange things happening during their flying days, so let me share one of mine. In April of 1964, we took five Huey helicopters from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Needles, California to support the largest military training exercise since WWII, something called “Operation Desert Strike.” The maneuver area …
MECCD Director—COL Steve BarnesGreetings from the Wiregrass to the entire Aeromedical Evacuation Enterprise at-large! First Up, allow me to thank each and every one of you in the DUSTOFF formation. What you do in support of your fellow Soldier in the noble mission of the MEDEVAC is vastly important and appreciated. Throughout this year, the …
