USAAAD Say Farewell To Their Huey

On Wednesday 26 Jan 11, USAAAD YTC will say farewell to a legendary aircraft. The UH-1 Huey will take its last flight around the range in commemoration of the dedicated, trustworthy and dependable service this aircraft provided. We will miss our dear friend as we welcome a new era in the history of Yakima DUSTOFF. [Read More]

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)

New Wounded Warrior Project MasterCard from USAA

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

Dustoff Soldiers Awarded
Germany’s Gold Cross Medal

14 American soldiers made history, becoming the first foreigners to ever receive Germany’s Gold Cross medal, one of the nation’s highest awards for valor.

The U.S. MEDEVAC crewmen stationed in Ansbach, Germany 12th CAB 5-158th were honored for risking their lives to come to the rescue of German soldiers, who were ambushed by as many as 200 Taliban fighters during a patrol north of the city of Kunduz on April 2nd, 2010.

They will soon be honored by the U.S. with medals as well. The lead soldier who flew in over half of the missions on Good Friday was Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason LaCrosse, Instructor Pilot, with him CW2 Jason Brown Pilot in Command and the Dustoff Medevac crew.

The 14 Gold Cross recipients are: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Steven Husted, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason LaCrosse, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nelson Visaya, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason Brown, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sean Johnson, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric Wells, Staff Sgt. Travis Brown, Sgt William Ebel, Sgt. Antonio Gattis, Sgt. Steven Schumaker, Spc. Matthew Baker, Spc. Todd Marchese, Spc. Gregory Martinez, Capt. Robert McDonough.

[Read More] 

[Video of the Taliban while Ambushing German ISAF Forces in Kunduz Good Friday, April 2, 2010. The video shows the Taliban firing at the German troops and relentlessly opening fire and hitting the Medevac plane (being flown by CW3 Jason LaCrosse and CW2 Jason Brown with crew).]

Gold Cross Recipients	Gold Cross Medal	Gold Cross Recipients
Hug Ceremony		Bild Newspaper Picture

Paul A. Bloomquist Honored

Neal Stanley Presents Memorial Day Talk

DUSTOFFer Neal Stanley spent six days in Washington DC over Memorial Day week and says it was a wonderful celebration of our country, our military, and those soldiers that gave their lives for our freedom. He was at the Wall 8-10 hours everyday and says it was great talking to all of the veterans and their families. On Monday morning he gave a presentation at the Vietnam Women's Memorial as one of eight speakers in the Storytelling program. Each speaker was allocated 30 minutes to give their talk.

[Read More]

A Viper’s Strike and A Dying Boy
Credit: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Novosel Helicopter Dedication

Dedication of UH-1 in honor of Mike and Mike Jr. Novosel at Northwest Florida Regional Airport. The helicopter is a static display in front of the Northwest Florida Regional Airport terminal.

In the pic (left to right) is CPT Short (67J assigned to JRTC at Polk), MAJ Dan Moore (Cdr Polk Det), COL Bob Mitchell (immediate past president of DUSTOFF Association), and COL Tom Deal (MC branch, USSOCOM Surgeon).

Welcome Home C-1/168 GSAB

On 6 and 7 March, Dan Gower traveled to Sacramento California to welcome home the Charlie Company 1/168 GSAB (old 126the Med Co AA). He once again handed out coins to the DUSTOFF Warriors and thanked them on behalf of all of the DUSTOFF Association membership for their selfless service. The unit was the winner of the recent DUSTOFF Rescue of the Year award. This award, sponsored by Sikorsky Aircraft, was presented at the 2010 Annual Reunion held in Panama City Florida. Major Dan Anderson, the outgoing company commander, changed command with the incoming company commander, CPT Adam Sabourin, on Sunday morning, 7 March 2010. Dan Gower was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. As in all of the visits to DUSTOFF Units, several coins were presented to the members of the family readiness group thanking them for their support of the troops during their recent deployment to Afghanistan. Welcome Home DUSTOFF Warriors!

Dan delivers keynote speech for change of command	Dan Coins MAJ Dan Anderson CDR C-1-168	Charlie 1-168 Company ready for change of command
Dan hands out coins	Dan Coins DUSTOFF Warrior CA NG	Dan Coins DUSTOFF Warrior CA NG
Dan coins C-1-168 DUSTOFF Warrior	Dan Gives Coin and Hug to DUSTOFF FRG Leader	126th FRG members honored for their service
Preparing the Grog Bowl		Ready Start Go - Tricycle Races raised money for the FRG.

Welcome Home Lone Star DUSTOFF
(Charlie Company, 2-4 GSAB)

CW2 Alex Boucher and Admin Guru, receive the Sikorsky Rescue Award.	CPT Chris Wingate, Executive Officer, and SSG Christina Martinez, Flight Medic, enjoying the festivities.	CW3 Caynan Picard and son receive DUSTOFF Coin from SGM Jeff Mankoff.
SSG Shane Pollock, Flight Medic, receives the Sikorsky Rescue Award from MG Brady.	CW3 Caynan Picard, TACOPS Officer and Pilot-in-Command, receives Sikorsky Rescue Award from MG Pat Brady.	Jessica Seefeldt, proud DUSTOFF spouse, receives DUSTOFF Spouse Coin from MG Brady for her contributions to the unit's FRG.
Jessica Boucher receives the DUSTOFF Spouse Coin from Major Mandril for her contributions to the Company's FRG.	Major Mandril and MG Brady present the Order of Saint Michael Award (Bronze) to CW4 Doug Jester, CW4 Mike Stollberg, CW4 Dennis Fletcher, and SFC Christopher Downey. [Read the Award]	Shaney Mandril gets a hug from MG Pat Brady after receiving the Lady of Loretto Award and a DUSTOFF Spouse Coin.

DUSTOFF Huey Dedication

All are invited to the 5 May 10 dedication of a UH-1 "Dustoff" Huey in honor of local Army Aviator and Medal of Honor recipient, the late CW4 Michael J Novosel. The helicopter will be a static display in front of the Northwest Florida Regional Airport terminal. It is expected that Army Aviators will be recognized and a photo taken to commemorate the event. [Read More]

H-13 Pilots Honored 12 Apr 10 at Fort Sam Houston

The “solopilots,” as they were known, received a grand salute Monday at Fort Sam Houston as the post recognized the daredevil fliers who pioneered a new era. Before an uneasy armistice ended the conflict in 1953, pilots like Capozzi would fly 18,000 U.N. casualties to hospitals, helping save seven of every 10 victims. [Read More]

Annual Association Awards

MAJ Dirk Lafleur is our Aviator of the Year - from Charlie Company 3-82 GSAB	SSG Matthew Kinney is the DUSTOFF Medic of the Year
SGT Patrick Janssen is our Crew Chief of the Year - also from Charlie Company 3-82 GSAB	Members are part of the two-crew operation winning Rescue of the Year - Charlie 1-168 GSAB – California National Guard. PICs Thomas Lemmons, CW2 Brandon Lynch; CPs – Todd Bonner, Tyler Smentek; FM – Stephen Park, Rueben Higgins; CE – Aaron DeCanio, William Dahl

67Js pose for a picture during the recent MNC-I Surgeon Medical Synchronization Conference, Victory Base Complex (AL FAW Palace)

Front: 1LT Tyler Eikenberry C/7-158, MAJ Matthew Cox CDR C/3-10, CPT Brent Hayward MND-B EVAC officer, MAJ William Clyde CDR C/2-227, MAJ Guy Gierhart C/2-227 BN XO, MAJ Buddy Meador CDR C/1-52
Back: LTC(P) Scott Drennon TF MED DCCS, COL Bryant Harp 47th CSH CDR, COL Patrick Wilson - OTSG Health Care OPs, COL Jeffrey Foe MNC-I Deputy Surgeon, LTC Miles Armstrong MNC-I C3 Air Operations Officer, LTC Dan Barnes MND-B Division Surgeon Med Planner

Charles Kelly's Flight Jacket Donated

The flight jacket worn by Major Charles Kelly had long been a part of the 57th Medical Company’s orderly room. However, when the company folded its guidon and was transformed to a Charlie Company in a General Support Aviation Battalion, the link to the heritage appeared to be lost. However, it was in the trusted care of their battalion commander, LTC Scott Putzier. On the 24th of July 2009, the flight jacket, now housed in a new shadow box frame and protected by archival quality surroundings, was officially donated to the Army Medical Department Museum by the DUSTOFF Association on behalf of the Kelly Family. It was donated at the Gala Event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the AMEDD Museum. Dan Gower made the presentation mentioning how Charles Kelly’s last words had become the motto of the DUSTOFF Association and a call to duty for thousands of DUSTOFF Warriors since his sacrifice on the battlefield in Vietnam on 1 July 1964. MG (R) Pat Brady spoke next about the man Charles Kelly and all that he signifies and what a great patriot and leader he was. MG (R) Pat Sculley, Chairman of the AMEDD Museum Foundation, accepted the jacket into the official archives of the AMEDD Museum.

Pat Brady shares a bit of history and insight into the man that was Charles Kelly.

Dan Gower presents the Charles Kelly Flight Jacket to the AMEDD Museum on behalf of the Kelly family from the DUSTOFF Association.

Many thanks to Deb and Bert for going "above and beyond" to get this frame job done on short notice in time for the presentation!

Helping Our Deployed Warriors

The holidays aren't the only time you may help our troops. Here are some suggestion.

• Buy a prepaid phone card or a gift certificate for a soldier you know or for a soldier in need through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service; AAFES.com or 800-527-2345.
• For a $25 donation, Operation USO Care Package will put together a package and send it to a loved one, or any service member, complete with a personal message from you; Operationusocarepackage.org or 800-876-7469.
• Our military troops require and deserve continued support from those of us for whom they are fighting. Guaranteed to make any soldier ecstatic, a membership in the Military Care Package Monthly Club is the gift to give when you want to tell your family member or friend, that you care. BestGiftClubs.com

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CNN Rides Along With DUSTOFF

Another good story / video on CNN about DUSTOFF crews; "Golden Hour" in Afghanistan. Has Dr. Sanjay Gupta doing a ride-along on a mission with the DUSTOFF crew. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2009/09/10/gupta.dust.off.cnn

Wounded Warrior Project

Veterans Eligible for Cell Phone Discounts

NAUS reported that military veterans and active-duty personnel are eligible for significant discounts on cell phone plans - if they know to ask. Most veterans are unaware of the potential savings on their monthly cell phone bills. Monthly military discounts range from 15 percent on Verizon Wireless plans to 10 percent off - and no activation fee - on T-Mobile agreements. Alltel, Sprint and AT&T offer similar discounts. While not everyone knows about the discounts, those who do say that getting the companies to register them for the cheaper plans is no easy task. Most services require a military identification card, veteran identification card or military discharge papers as proof of veteran status. Some companies require online registration to get the discount. Many companies, including Verizon, also offer discounted plans for customers 65 and older.

Curious, I visited the Sprint site (my carrier) and searched "veteran discounts" and got nothing. When I called the toll free number the customer service rep (Wendy) didn't know anything, so I read her the above article. She dug through many computer screens and found the discount. Then I asked her why Sprint was only 10%; weren't they as good a company as T-Mobile? She agreed to up the discount to 15%. HUEY

Charlie 2-1 Welcome Home

Welcome Home C 2-104 Tennessee NG DUSTOFF