Here is a harrowing account of a Dustoff pilot’s last day in Vietnam and his simplified summary of “Dustoff.” Both are contributed by the same author.

Major Vince Cedola, CO, 571st Med Det (Helicopter Ambulance) DUSTOFF and Major Dave Dryden XO, are waiting at Phu Bai, RVN for the Group Commander to participate at the change of command ceremony today.  It is Vince’s last day in Vietnam after his second tour and Dave will assume command.  The Colonel, a doctor arrives and joins them.  He has a stern look on his face.  He asks, “What am I going to do with those two guys down south?”  I know he means the CO and XO of his other medical detachment about 50 miles south of here.  I asked him, “What did they do?” He said, “They flew together as ac and pilot on missions all night, and if they crashed, they would have left me with a skinny, new Lieutenant in charge!”  Dave said, “I’m sure they had a good reason for this, Sir.”  I chimed in, “Sometimes when a life is at stake, you just do what you gotta do!!”

At that moment our alarm bell rang.  Dave was on first-up and ran to his aircraft and cranked-up waiting for his pilot.  I yelled out “Where’ the pilot?”  Someone yelled back, he’s in the head with a bad stomach!”  All the other pilots were out, so I jumped into the pilot’s seat and told the radio operator to bring me my helmet.  He did and said, good luck, it’s a hoist mission!!  Dave and I looked at each other and said Sh**!!  A hoist mission is the most dangerous since you are hovering inches from the treetops in full view of enemy shooters and hanging purely on the power of the engine!

We took off and unbeknownst to us, the Colonel had jumped into the back of the helicopter!  When we arrived on-site, I called in to the Air Command who told us to wait in place as the area was still hot!!  Again, Dave and I looked at each other and yelled Sh*t again!!  A hot LZ is not what we were looking for!

We were advised to look out for two Jets which will be dropping some napalm.  Zoom, zoom both jets flew by us, one under and one over and a few miles out dropped their fiery destruction.  Several minutes later Air Command told us to come in for the pick-up.   We found the spot in the treetops, settled into the best opening keeping the rotor blades out of the trees, lowered the forest-penetrator and prepared to bring the patient up. The crewchief and medic both watching outback directing me how to keep the tail rotor out of the limbs, while they brought the patient up.  About that time, when the wounded is almost home, the medic yells, “Taking fire from 3 o’clock!!  I rapidly pulled pitch and brought the patient up through the few branches while the medic continued to reel in the hoist to bring the wounded into the aircraft.  I gave Dave the controls and asked him to take us home!

When we arrived at the hospital and home, we were shocked to see the Colonel jump out of the helicopter with the patient’s blood on his shirt and come over to Dave and I with a big smile, saying what a great flight that was!  We both just looked at him and finally I said, “Colonel, not only did you cause us to violate the command against taking a doctor on a combat mission, but if we crashed, that skinny lieutenant would have been in command since the CO and XO were on this same flight!!!  Do you remember what we were we talking about before the bell rang….the CO and XO both on the same flight??

The troops had assembled. So, we walked over to the change of command ceremony, after which we enjoyed a great farewell party hosted by the 101st Air Assault Division Band.  While Dave and I were enjoying a few memories over a beer or two, the Colonel joined us and said, “I know you have a no flying during your last week in Vietnam policy, so, why did you take the chance of flying a hoist mission on your last day in country?  I answered, “Yes, that is the unit policy, but remember what I said earlier, “When a life is at stake, you just do what you gotta do!”  It’s my Unit motto “TO SAVE A LIFE”

THE DUSTOFF MISSION

(Simplified)

A Dustoff Team is comprised of Pilots, Medics, Crew Chiefs, Mechanics, Supply, Radio, and Admin Techs, all volunteers,

in support of the Medical Evacuation Mission.

Begin with one DUSTOFF helicopter crew of two pilots, one crew chief, one medic and often, one patient protector.

They run out to their O.D. colored helicopter that has large white, red-cross targets painted on the nose and both sides.

They crank up and race out to the battlefield.

Often under a hail of enemy bullets, they land or hover openly in the trees to rescue their precious cargo—the wounded soldier.

They take off, often still under enemy fire, and provide care and treatment to the wounded, while en route to the medical facility.

They deliver the soldier into the safe hands of the hospital and fly back to home base.

Then— they clean up their aircraft and prepare to do the same thing, again…and again…and again…and again, every day and every night, until their tour of duty is over.

“TO SAVE A LIFE”

Vince Cedola,

LTC, MSC (Ret)

Dustoff 22    82nd MDHA 1964-65

Dustoff 506  571st MDHA 1967-68

LTC Vince Cedola contributed an earlier post regarding a night rescue of a downed flare ship crew. Click on the link to be redirected: https://cherrieswriter.com/2020/12/13/aircraft-down-whos-down-there/

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