Charlie Company – 7-101st GSAB
Welcomed Home

On 21 November, members of the DUSTOFF Executive Council welcomed home the Charlie Company – 7-101st GSAB. These are better known as members of Eagle DUSTOFF, the old 50th Medical Company (AA). These great DUSTOFF Warriors returned after their 15 month tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09. During this period of time they flew over 4200 combat medical evacuation missions, transporting over 6000 patients, and flew 4700 accident free combat hours. They accomplished their two main goals of 1) bringing every DUSTOFF Warrior home safely and never allowing a Soldier to wait needlessly on Eagle DUSTOFF. Their average launch time from receipt of the nine-line to “wheels up” was an impressive 8 minutes.

Representing the DUSTOFF Executive Council were President Bob Mitchell, Executive Director Dan Gower and Past-President Jeff Mankoff. Joined on the podium with our members were their battalion Commander and Brigade Commander. COL Lewis their brigade commander addressed them and thanked them for their service. Following pinning awards on all members of the unit, Major Mike Pouncey, COL Lewis and Dan Gower presented 12 wives of the unit and Family Readiness Group with a yellow rose and a Proud DUSTOFF Wives Coin. Dan Gower addressed the Eagle DUSTOFFers and had the distinct honor of presenting a Charles Kelly Hall of Fame Coin to CW4 Rodney Merrill. CW4 Merrill just completed his fifth combat tour and was instrumental in the 92% OR rate for this rotation. He also serves as pilot-in-command and a mentor to all of Eagle DUSTOFF.

We also had the thrill of meeting Abigail and Erin Bishop – daughter and wife of our previous Crewmember of the Year and Member at Large SSG Mike Bishop. Mike was able to make it back to the States for Abigail’s birth on 24 February 2008. As you can see, she’s quite the DUSTOFF Baby. Congratulations Mike and Erin!

COL Lewis addresses Eagle DUSTOFF

Some of the Army's first flight medics awarded the CMB. (Back row L to R:  SSG Patterson, SPC Dill, BN CSM, SGT Rogers, SPC Northrup / Front Row: L to R SSG Werts, SGT Salazar, SGT Jordan). Submitted by CW3 Larry R. Karmine
C/2-1 GSAB.

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Combat Medical Badge (CMB) Regulation Change

On or after 18 Sep 01, medical personnel assigned or attached to or under operational control of any combat arms units of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily perform medical duties while the unit is engaged in active ground combat may be awarded the CMB. The language, "not to include aviation" was deleted from the policy, permitting medical personnel assigned, attached or OPCON to combat aviation units to qualify for the CMB.
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The Medal (photo by Jürgen Thieme) Jonas Craig (7) smiles in appreciation as COL Joseph A. Brendler shakes his hand after presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to the son of SSG Heathe N. Craig, who was killed in Afghanistan in June 2006 during a MEDEVAC operation. Looking on are his sister Leona, who is sitting on Grandma Petra Gross’ lap, next to Grandpa Harald Gross.