Print by Joe Kline
498th Air Ambulance Platoon
Vietnam medevac missions
by Williams S. Phillips
In April of 1962, the 57th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) arrived in Vietnam with five UH-1 “Huey” helicopters. They took the call sign Dustoff. Over time the number of medevac detachments grew in Vietnam until the entire country had coverage and Dustoff became the universal call sign for all medevac missions.
A Dustoff crew consisted of four people: two pilots, a medic and a crew chief. Usually, one pilot would fly the helicopter while the other acted as the aircraft commander. The commander would navigate, monitor all of the radio transmissions, talk to the unit requesting the medevac and would take over flying if the pilot were injured. The medic kept the helicopter stocked with the necessary medical supplies and the crew chief would maintain the helicopter in top working condition. They would both load the patients onto the helicopter and the medic would administer any necessary medical treatment on the way to the hospital, often with the help of the crew chief. The medic and crew chief would stay with a particular helicopter while the pilots were interchangeable between helicopters. These crews saved many lives and were universally respected by all of the soldiers in the war.
Evac Hospital 93rd, Long Bình, 1966
My Vietnam Experience 
My name is Jim Belcher Columbus Ohio served 1968 November through November 1969 1st air cav 13th signal bin.freinds there were Paul quimby ,Paul deal and mike Baugh and many others that some days I remember and some not…I’m 68 ! Whatever! I wouldn’t trade the experience…it definitely shaped my life in mostly good ways! I or we have 2 children and 4 grands! Like to hear from any of you who remember me!
Welcome Home Jim…
It’s now 2024. Only one comment since 2017? Then again, I didn’t look for or find this page until now. Just wanted to mention that I was a medic at the 93rd Evac Hospital for all of 1970. I volunteered and wasn’t drafted. Like Veteran Belcher, my Vietnam experience shaped my life in positive ways. Over the last 3 years Agent Orange is having more of an impact on me and my family (2 kids, 5 grandchildren). I really wouldn’t change a thing because I love my country and that’s what it wanted me to do. I’m 76 and at peace. Life has been good. I’m proud to be a Vietnam Veteran and part of an awesome community of soldiers. Tony Kendrick (Sp5 Army Medic 1968-1972. CMDR Navy 1974-1985, USNR 1985-1998).