News United States Air Force
 On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, AFMS celebrates aeromedical's rolePublished March 29, 2022
                        
                        By Dr. Joseph Frechette, Ph.D.
                        
                        
                        Air Force Medical Service History Office
                **FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) --**
                Each year, the nation honors the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans March 29 for National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which marks the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam March 29, 1973. 
 While more than 58,000 Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam,**Air Force Medical Service**improvements in**aeromedical evacuation**helped ensure wounded service members had a better chance for survival than ever before. Historical photo of medical Airmen.A flight medical technician prepares a litter for a wounded U.S. Marine during a flight to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. The wounded Marines were evacuated by Air Force CH-3G helicopters from a nearby battle area. (Courtesy photo)
            
            
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 Following the large-scale commitment of American troops in 1965, the AFMS presence peaked at roughly 1,900 medics in 1968 - roughly five percent of the total strength of the AFMS - with more than a dozen dispensaries, four casualtystaging units, and the large 12th Air Force Hospital at Cam Rahn Bay Airbase, Vietnam, backstopped by hospitals in Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan. 
 Initially, the AFMS commitment in Vietnam was modest. The first in-country military treatment facility, a dispensary at Tan SonNhut, opened in May 1962. Following the large-scale commitment of American troops in 1965, the AFMS presence peaked at roughly 1,900 medics by 1968 - roughly five percent of the total strength of the AFMS - with more than a dozen dispensaries, four casualty staging units, and the large hospital at Cam Rahn Bay Airbase, Vietnam, backstopped by hospitals in Thailand, the Philippines and Japan.

The 9th Aeromedical Squadron provided aeromedical evacuation support to the entire Pacific Theater.

This growth was facilitated bythedevelopment of modular air transportable hospitals and the knowledgeable presence of graduates of the**U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine**Residency in Aerospace Medicine. The RAMs proved their worth staffing thesenewly-mintedmedical treatment facilities, typically serving as the senior flight surgeons. 
 As the network of facilities grew, so did the aeromedical evacuation organization. In July 1966, the 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron grew into a group with its 903rd AES headquartered in country at Tan SonNhut. Although Army helicopters handled almost all evacuation from forward areas, further aerial movement was an Air Force responsibility. 
 As the scale and intensity of fighting grew, the 903rd AES instituted a system of scheduled and configured evacuation flights rather than the traditional ad hoc method of using the return backhaul capability of assault airlift flights. This was less disruptivetoboththedelivery of cargo and passengers, the MTFs and patients awaiting pickup.Additionally,itavoidedthe need to reconfigure aircraft for litter patients in hazardous situations such as at the siege ofKhe Sanh.Historical photo of medical Airmen.A medic tends a patient in an ambulance en route to the 377th U.S. Air Forces Dispensary at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. The patient was flown in by helicopter from a field medical unit. (Courtesy photo)
            
            
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    Historical photo of medical Airmen.U.S. Air Force medical personnel on detached duty from Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, move a U.S. Marine casualty from the aid station at embattled Ke Sanh to a waiting C-130 Hercules. (Courtesy photo)
            
            
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    The C-9A, which debuted in 1968, prepares for a mission at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The Aircraft was the U.S. Air Force’s designated aeromedical evacuation aircraft that was capable of transporting more patients than previous aircraft. It was able to carry up to 40 patients, either litter or ambulatory, and was fitted with hydraulic folding ramps to easily move litter patients on and off the aircraft. (U.S. Air force photo)A flight medical technician prepares a litter for a wounded U.S. Marine during a flight to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. The wounded Marines were evacuated by Air Force CH-3G helicopters from a nearby battle area. (Courtesy photo)
            
            
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Another lesson learned by the 903rd involved the full use of all nurses at its disposal. Until August 1967, when the first three women were assigned to the 903rd, it had worked exclusively with male flight nurses. Fortunately, the 903rd expanded its nursing manpower when it did. Only a few months later, in the run up to and during the Tet Offensive, the 903rd evacuated more than 33,000 people despite intense weather and ground fire.

The Air Force recognized the gallantry of the 903d with the**Presidential Unit Citation**, the equivalent of the Distinguished Service Cross to all assigned. 
 The Vietnam War provided Air Force Medicine the chance to evaluate itself and adjust in order to provide the best care anywhere.LR 



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