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.

Latest DUSTOFF News

New Wounded Warrior Project MasterCard from USAA WWP proudly announced the launch of the USAA Wounded Warrior Project World MasterCard, which honors wounded warriors by helping to fund WWP programs. The card also represents USAA's commitment to helping service members and their families build and maintain financial independence. New account and transaction revenue associated with the co-branded credit card will assist WWP in developing and delivering unique programs and services to meet wounded warrior needs. Hall Of Fame Nominees and Voting Booth Open The write-ups for this year's nominees to the DUSTOFF Hall Of Fame are now available for review in the Hall Of Fame portion of this site as well as in the DUSTOFFer Newsletter. If you are a member of our Association, please take time to review these write-ups and then go to the Voting Booth and vote for any nominee you feel worthy of installation in the Hall Of Fame. Please remember that only members of the DUSTOFF Association are eligible to vote.

DUSTOFF Crew Honored with Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross From left to right, SSG Thomas A. Gifford, SSG Emmett Spraktes, CW4 Brandon Erdmann and CW2 Scott St. Aubin pose for a group photograph after an award ceremony at Mather Airfield in Sacramento, CA, 13 Jun, 10. During the ceremony, Spraktes was awarded the Silver Star Medal while Gifford, Erdmann and St. Aubin received the Distinguished Flying Cross with V Device for heroic actions in Afghanistan while assigned to the California National Guard’s Company C, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion. (Photo by SFC Jesse Flagg, California National Guard)

Charlie Company, 3/238th Homecoming

On Monday morning August 16, 2010 - COL (R) Dan Gower along with two of his retired Air Force Buddies, traveled to Fort Hood, TX to welcome home Charlie Company, 3/238th New Hampshire Army National Guard. They returned from their deployment to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGT Eric Bashor, a flight medic with the unit, had been in contact since early July. The unit was de-mobilizing through the Fort Hood SRP site (Soldier Readiness Process). Promptly at 0730 their buses rolled in and they lined up to began the day's tasks ensuring they could get on the plane and go home the next day. Dan and his buddies gave out coins, shook hands with all the DUSTOFF Warriors and welcomed them home. Another great day to be a Soldier!

	Gower 1SGT Aldridge MAJ Mattimore
SGT Seward accepts coin.	CPT Carmell gets coined and welcome home.	Gower coins member of C-3-328.

Charlie Company, 5/158th GSAB Homecoming

On August 12, 2010 Dan Gower had the great privilege to travel to Katterbach, Germany to welcome home the DUSTOFF Warriors of Charlie Company, 5/158th GSAB commanded by Major Mike Hughes. Coins were given to all members of the Company and special Hall of Fame Coins given to three stellar performers. Proud DUSTOFF Wife coins were also presented to three of the family readiness group leaders for their work, during the deployment, supporting the Warriors. This unit had a rough deployment originally deploying to Iraq, but then being uprooted and re-missioned to Afghanistan shortly after arriving in Iraq. Fourteen members of this unit were the first non-German recipients of the German Gold Cross for gallantry.

Bavaria DUSTOFF Standing Tall - C Co - 5/158th GSAB - former 45th Med Co (AA)
MAJ Hughes & 1SGT Guzman - Command Team	La Familia - Leadership Team - SFC Negron, 1SG Guzman, SFC Ares	Dan thanks DUSTOFF Warriors of former 45th Med Co (AA)
Hall Of Fame coins presented to stellar performers - SGT Cain, CPT McGuire, CW3 Rodriguez	Dan coins Major Hughes	Dan coins guidon bearer, CPL Favors
Dan congratulates CPT Partyka, SFC Negron, SFC Hernandez and SFC Ares upon their Bronze Star award.	MAJ Hughes and 1SG Guzman uncase guidon.	LTC Howe congratulates CPL Favors, serving as guidon bearer.
DUSTOFF 83, recognized for valorous performance on 8 Mar 10 in Bala Morghab, Afghanistan. Air Medals w/V pending approval. CPT Connelly, CW3 Pratt, SSG Proctor and SGT Adams.	CPT Connelly receives Meritorious Service Medal for leading the Korean Village Remote site in Iraq and establishing Bala Morghab Remote site in Afghanistan.	SGT Owens receives Air Medal w/V for heroic efforts on DUSTOFF mission in Helmand Province.
Dan SGT Cain CPT McGuire CW3 Rodriquez Major Hughes	SGT Bolin receives Air Medal and ARCOM with Valor	German Gold Cross mission participants
DUSTOFF Warriors SGT King, SPC Weightman and SPC Seder (stud crew chiefs)	FRG Leaders honored for their service	Dan Gower, Mrs. Tammy Doerer (CAB Cdr's Wife), Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Cackie Howe (BN Cdr's Wife)

C-3-82 Return From Afghanistan

On the 7 and 8 July, the DUSTOFF Association paid a visit to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (the former 54th Med Co). Dan Gower, Executive Director along with Christine Hawk from Breeze Eastern Corporation were finally able to present the DUSTOFF Aviator of the Year and DUSTOFF Crew Chief of the Year awards. MAJ Dirk LaFleur, the commander of C-3/82, was awarded the DUSTOFF Aviator of the Year award. SGT Patrick Janssen was awarded the DUSTOFF Crew Chief of the Year award. Their service and accomplishments in their most recent deployment to Afghanistan are truly remarkable and stand as testimony to their dedication to the mission. In the tradition of the DUSTOFF Association, all members of the unit were given a DUSTOFF Association Coin, a hearty handshake, and “Welcome home.” Many thanks to Christine Hawk who interrupted a family vacation to make the trip to Fort Bragg and make the award for SGT Janssen.

Aviator of the Year Presentation Christine Hawk addresses C-3-82	Presentation of Crew Chief of the Year to SGT Janssen. L-R: Dan Gower, Christine Hawk, SGT Patrick Janssen, LTC Wade Blackwell (GSAB Bn Cdr) and CSM Brown (GSAB Bn CSM) Outstanding Members of C-3-82 L - R: CW3 Ron Workman, CW3 Marcus Lewis, SGT Earl Cox (SI), SGT Travis Mayo (Flight Medic), SGT Kevin Burleson (Maint. NCOIC), CPT Francis McCahill (XO/OPSO)	MAJ LaFluer Aviator of the Year
Christine Hawk coins LT Burns Welcome Home	C-3-82 Dan and Christine at Luigi's Top Row L - R: SGT Janssen (CE of the Year), Christina Hawk, CW3 Christopher Ryan (SIP), CPT Stephanie Burns (Platoon Leader), CW2 Raul Dsouza, CPT Francis McCahill (XO/OPSO), Shanna Esposito, Deanna Lafleur, CPT Marc Esposito (Plt Ldr), MAJ Dirk Lafleur (CDR and Aviator of Year). Bottom row L - R: CW2 Monica Narhi (MTP), CW3 Ron Workman (IP/IE), Dan Gower, CW2 Sam Ratterree (IP), CW2 Billie Graves, CPT Castronovo (Plt Ldr)	Dan coins member of C-3-82

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