DUSTOFF Medevac – Saving Lives on the Frontline

The Blackhawk helicopter pilot comes in at a steep angle, g-force pressing everyone hard into the seats of the aircraft as it circles insanely low above the brown acre, where the green fog of a smoke grenade indicates the landing zone. On the ground below, a wounded U.S. Marine is waiting to be picked up, gunshot wounds to his arm and chest.

This is the daily routine for the Medevac crew of Charly Company, 3rd Battalion 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade based at Forward Operating Base Dwyer in war- torn Helmand, Afghanistan in the summer of 2009.

Almost every day, and often twice or more, they receive the call that has the crews racing to the Blackhawk helicopters to take someone off the battlefield and to the nearest Combat Support Hospital. As the war seldom takes a break, it means the men and women of Charly Company always have to be ready.

The Medevac units are an integral part of the war in Afghanistan. Ground units depend on them wherever they go. They know that the Medevac helicopters will fly despite most adverse weather conditions or even through enemy fire to get them out.

The Medevac units are an integral part of the war in Afghanistan. Ground units depend on them wherever they go. They know that the Medevac helicopters will fly despite most adverse weather conditions or even through enemy fire to get them out. This is why DUSTOFF – Dedicated Unhesitant Service To Our Fighting Forces – is their motto, and they proudly live up to it.