The Dustoff Association

We are always proud to recognize our young 67Js. Congratulations 1LT Joseph Kellogg on making the Honor Graduate list! Your next unit is lucky to gain you! The Dustoff Association is proud to welcome you as a member. Posted by: Scott Forbes, BA

30 days left to register for the 2025 reunion! Are you coming to see your battle buddies? https://lnkd.in/efGK2US7

Our Association cannot function without the generous donations of our sponsors and members. Thank you to all our Sponsors! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would just like to donate to our cause please visit: https://lnkd.in/eMKx_4eQ

Good Morning Dustoff! There are 63 days left to the 2025 Reunion in Washington, DC! Have you registered yet??

Excerpt from an article by Sue Baldani: COL Douglas E. Moore of Haymarket considers himself a country boy from Arkansas, but there’s more to him. Not only did he serve his country honorably as a pilot and soldier, but he also wrote a book about his experiences in Vietnam and helped a famous author with her novel. Moore joined the U.S. Army in 1959. “When I had the chance to go to flight school, I took it,” he said. In 1964, he was sent to Vietnam for a year. He was deployed again in 1968, as a “dustoff,” or medevac, pilot, tasked with rescuing soldiers. He captured his experiences in his book, “A Bullet Through the Helmet: A Vietnam Dustoff Pilot’s Memoir,” published in 2019. The title of the book is especially meaningful to him. While evacuating soldiers, his helicopter was hit 37 times by the enemy. One round tore through his helmet, knocking him sideways and sending the aircraft into a steep bank. Although injured and unable to see out of one eye, he managed to right the helicopter and deliver the soldiers and himself to safety. In Vietnam, he flew 1,874 combat missions, evacuated 2,782 patients and piloted an aircraft that recovered three American prisoners of war. “It was difficult, but we just did it,” Moore said. “We knew the guys on the ground had been wounded and in some cases killed. It was our responsibility to get in and try to save their lives if we could, while the bad guys wanted nothing else than to shoot down a medevac helicopter.” Their combat loss rate, he explained, was three times higher than the rest of the Army’s aviation units. “But we just accepted it and went on with it.” His flying skills were also put to the test in Japan and many other international theaters. Moore went wherever he was needed – 43 different countries over the years. Back in the States, his dedication to helping others did not falter. During the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington, he served as Air Mission Commander for the rescue effort. He also served at the Pentagon and was executive officer for the Army’s Surgeon General when he retired. During his 30-year career, Moore received a multitude of commendations and awards, including the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism, along with two Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Purple Heart. ? After his retirement in 1989, Moore was inducted into the Dustoff Association’s Hall of Fame, which honors medical evacuation helicopter crew members. He was later inducted into the Army Aviation Association of America’s Hall of Fame and then into the Army ROTC Hall of Fame. Looking back on his career, he said the people with whom he served made it meaningful... Click on the Article Link to continue reading. #dustofff #ArmyAviation #WhenIHaveYourWounded Posted by: Scott Forbes, BA

Congratulations, to two of our recent 67J flight school graduates! ? 1LT Kayla Spellenberg graduated flight school on 27 November 2024, and has returned to her home unit in the VT National Guard. 1LT Alexandra Cajigal was recognized as the Honor Graduate on 12 December 2024, at her flight school graduation.?She is on Active Duty and her first assignment as a 67J is at Fort Carson, CO. Both are now proud members of The Dustoff Association. Posted by: Scott Forbes, BA #dustoff #aviation #WhenIHaveYourWounded

2025 DUSTOFF SUMMIT scheduled for 30 April to 3 May 2025. Location: Old Town Alexandria Hotel | Alexandria, VA * Hall of Fame dinner is at the Alexandrian * Awards ceremony and banquet - National Army Museum Last Day to Book: Monday, March 31, 2025 Link to register will be in the comments. Posted by: Scott Forbes, BA

The 82nd Airborne Division's Medics Shape Future MEDEVAC Aircraft Design discusses how the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division's Combat Aviation Brigade Critical Care Flight Paramedics (CCFPs) and 1st Brigade Medics are contributing to the design of future MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) aircraft. 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army CCFPs are highly trained paramedics who provide critical care to injured Soldiers during medical evacuations, having extensive experience in conducting #MEDEVAC operations in various environments, including combat zones. The CCFPs are working closely with the Army's aviation development team to ensure that the new aircraft meets the needs of future medical evacuation operations. That team includes PEO Aviation, PM Utility, #FVLCFT, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, MEDCoE (US Army Medical Center of Excellence) and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The CCFPs have identified several key requirements for the new MEDEVAC aircraft, including: - Increased cabin space and flexibility to accommodate critical care equipment and patients - Improved lighting and visibility to facilitate medical interventions during flight - Enhanced communication systems to enable real-time communication between medical teams and commanders - Increased speed and range to reduce evacuation times and improve patient survivability The CCFPs are playing a critical role in shaping the design of future MEDEVAC aircraft. By incorporating the expertise and experience of these highly trained paramedics, the US Army is ensuring that the new aircraft will meet the needs of medical evacuation operations and provide the best possible care to injured soldiers. The collaboration between the CCFPs and the Army's aviation development team is expected to result in a next-generation MEDEVAC aircraft that is better equipped to provide critical care to patients in a variety of environments. The US Army is currently developing the new MEDEVAC mission equipment package that will inform the Aeromedical variant of the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). #DustOff #FLRAA Army Futures Command I Army Futures Command Team I Army National Guard I National Guard Bureau I Bell Flight I The Dustoff Association I U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center I U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command I US Army Medical Department (AMEDD)

Vietnam DUSTOFF Crews Congressional Gold Medal Act Passes U.S. House of Representatives! Washington, D.C. – September 17, 2024?– The Dustoff Association proudly announces the historic passage of the Vietnam DUSTOFF Crews Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 2825) in the U.S. House of Representatives, recognizing the heroic Army helicopter ambulance crews who risked their lives during the Vietnam War under the callsign "DUSTOFF" or "MEDEVAC." The bill, which passed the Senate in May 2024, will now proceed to the President’s desk for signature. Following the President's approval, details about the Congressional Gold Medal presentation ceremony will be announced. ? This legislation honors the bravery and dedication of the Vietnam DUSTOFF Crews, who conducted lifesaving missions under extreme combat conditions, rescuing over 900,000 individuals during the war. These crews pioneered combat medical evacuation techniques that set the standard for aeromedical procedures still in use today. Passing the Senate with bipartisan support in May, today’s House vote cements the long-overdue recognition of the Vietnam DUSTOFF Crews' service and sacrifice. The Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors awarded by Congress, will be the first of its kind to acknowledge Vietnam War service, serving as a tribute to these crews' unparalleled heroism and potentially opening doors for other deserving stories from the war to be honored. This accomplishment was made possible by the dedication and support of several key contributors: ? Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA6), who sponsored and championed the bill in their respective chambers, along with the members of Congress who supported it ? MG (R) Pat Brady, Medal of Honor recipient, whose relentless advocacy since introducing this effort in the 114th Congress was pivotal in advancing the legislation ? The Hunton Group, LLP, for providing invaluable pro-bono assistance, including countless hours of legislative guidance and support ? The Vietnam DUSTOFF Association, whose years of tireless work, including personal funds, emails, phone calls, and meetings on Capitol Hill, helped ensure this success ? DUSTOFF Association members, families, and supporters, who joined the effort in January 2024 to raise awareness and rally support for this important cause The DUSTOFF Association expresses its deepest gratitude to everyone involved in making this recognition a reality, from lawmakers and their staff to the members of the DUSTOFF community and supporters nationwide. ***** For more information, please contact: Chris Wingate, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), President, DUSTOFF Association Email:?[email protected] Website:?www.dustoff.org #DUSTOFF #Veterans

“Wounded”, was written by SSG (RET) Tom Kerns as part of his journey when dealing with the aftermath of war. The LINK to the video is in the comments. The video was compiled by Tawny Campbell who drew on photos her amazing husband gathered during his three MEDEVAC deployments. Warning: The video does contain graphic images from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. The video captures many of the emotions our DUSTOFF heroes would encounter while fulfilling their mission. Remember, Honor and Thanks to those who gave so much! #DUSTOFF #MedicalEvacuation #WhenIHaveYourWounded