Advisory support, 1962–1964 The 57th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) received its final alert for overseas deployment on 15 February 1962. Unit aircraft, one officer and five enlisted departed Fort George G. Meade, Maryland on 3 March 1962 for the
Brookley Ocean Terminal in Mobile, Alabama. While in Mobile, the detachment's aircraft were processed for overseas shipment, loaded aboard the
USNS Crotan, and arrived at Saigon on 20 April 1962. As of 1 October 1962, the detachment was authorized five aircraft and had four assigned: • Aircraft 58-2081 was EDP for 20 items. Time until the aircraft would become flyable was unknown. As of 31 December 1962, the detachment was authorized five aircraft, assigned four aircraft, and had one aircraft flyable. The aircraft status by tail number was: Although unit callsigns at the time were rotated periodically to preserve operations security, it was determined that having a fixed callsign for medical evacuation—and a fixed frequency—would be more advantageous for medical evacuation operations, and so the 57th's callsign was not changed as it normally would have been at the end of the period for the Signal Operations Instructions. January 1964 found the 57th Medical Detachment located at
Tan Son Nhut airport,
Saigon. Two air ambulances and crews were attached to the
52d Aviation Battalion, with one helicopter and crew each located at
Pleiku and
Qui Nhon to provide aeromedical evacuation support within the
II Corps area. The remaining three air ambulances and personnel were attached to the
45th Transportation Battalion at Tan Son Nhut providing aeromedical evacuation support within the
III and
IV Corps areas. The mission of the detachment was to provide aeromedical evacuation support to U.S. Forces in the Republic of Vietnam and aeromedical evacuation assistance to the Republic of Vietnam as requested. Before the month of January ended the unit was detached from the
145th Aviation Battalion (previously the 45th Transportation Battalion) and attached to Headquarters Detachment, United States Army Support Group, Vietnam. As a result of the new attachment to Headquarters Detachment, U.S. Army Support Group, Vietnam, the unit enlisted personnel moved into new quarters in the Support Group Compound. With more and more fighting occurring in the Delta and around Saigon, the 57th could not always honor every evacuation request. U.S. Army helicopter assault companies were forced to keep some of their aircraft on evacuation standby, but without a medical corpsman or medical equipment. Because of the shortage of Army aviators and the priority of armed combat support, the Medical Service Corps did not have enough pilots to staff another Dustoff unit in Vietnam. Most Army aeromedical evacuation units elsewhere already worked with less than their permitted number of pilots. Although Army aviation in Vietnam had grown considerably since 1961, by the summer of 1964 its resources fell short of what it needed to perform its missions, especially medical evacuation. , commander of the 57th Medical Detachment, was killed in action on 1 July 1964 The second half of the year began with the sad event of the death of the detachment commander, Major
Charles L. Kelly on 1 July 1964. He was struck in the chest by a Viet Cong bullet while attempting a patient pick-up. The aircraft crashed with the other three crewmembers receiving injuries. • Providing aeromedical evacuation of patients, including in-flight treatment and/or surveillance, in accordance with established directives, from forward combat elements or medical facilities as permitted by the tactical situation to appropriate clearing stations and hospitals, and between hospitals as required. The Commanding Officer of the 57th Medical Detachment also commanded the 43d Medical Detachment (RB) which provided ground ambulance support on an assigned basis. The 82d Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) was also under the operational control of the 57th. From 3 March 1971 to 1 November 1971 the 57th Medical Detachment trained Vietnamese Air Force pilots to perform medical evacuation in Military Region IV. Plans were drawn up out of a meeting with senior VNAF officers, USAF officers, and D.R.A.C. advisors, resulting in a ground school for the Vietnamese pilots and medical aidmen as well as the 57th flying combat missions with the Vietnamese. As of the end of 1971, classes were being planned consisting of a four-week course covering essential medical training for the Vietnamese pilots. The classes had a target date of beginning on 15 January 1972. The course was patterned after the four-week course of instruction being taught at
Fort Sam Houston, Texas under the title "Essential Medical Training for AMEDD Aviatiors."
Stand-down phase Planning With a negotiated settlement to the conflict in the Republic of Vietnam drawing near, the need for a replacement activity for Dustoff was recognized by the U.S. Army Health Services Group, Vietnam (USAHSVCGPV). A contract agreement with Cords Aviation was reached in early January for them to replace the four DUSTOFF units in Vietnam. It was decided that the Cords Aviation corporation personnel would assume the detachment's mission in
Military Region IV on X+30 and the mission in
Military Region III on X+45. In connection with the Cords responsibilities and to assure a smooth transition, each of the DUSTOFF units would be required to contact their supported units and the Cords representative in their Military Region. The overall coordination responsibility was placed on the operations section of the 57th Medical Detachment. Taking into consideration the anticipated withdrawal and inactivation it was decided that a fifty percent posture on X+30 was appropriate. This fifty percent status would be reached gradually to insure complete and professional coverage of the detachment's mission. On X+45 the detachment's mission requirements would be terminated, and the remaining assets would be closed. The detachment's field standby would be terminated in two steps. The daily standby in support of the air cavalry units in the 57th's area of operation would be terminated on X-Day as the cavalry units completed their operation. The permanent Can Tho standby would terminate on X+30 as the Cords Aviation assumed the mission. A mission of great interest and importance was
Operation Homecoming. This mission was the detachment's single most important concern, as the intense international interest in the POW releases mounted. Early intelligence indicated the possibility of returnees being released in small groups in remote locations with little prior notice. The detachment's leadership decided to place all personnel on twenty-four-hour alert as the treaty became effective. Each member of the detachment received complete briefings on their duty with concern to Operation Homecoming. As X-Day approached, further intelligence indicated the need to augment the aircraft of the detachment with ships and crews from the 247th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance), located in Nha Trang. Coordination with the U.S. Army Hospital, Saigon was initiated for means of reporting and delivery of returnees.
Actual events The contract with Cords Aviation was accepted in late January 1973. Air Operations Offices for Cords Aviation were contacted in each Military Region by the respective DUSTOFF Operations Officers. The purpose of this coordination was to affect a smooth transitioning period, to eliminate possible problem areas and to better understand limitations that would be inherent to such a transfer. With this agreement it was then possible for the DUSTOFF units to proceed with the termination of operations as scheduled. The termination of the detachment's field standby sites was carried out as planned. The Cavalry Troops in the 57th's area ceased operations on X-Day as planned and so the detachment's daily standby terminated with their requirement. The permanent standby in Can Tho terminated on X+30 as planned and an effective and smooth transition to Cords Aviation was made. As anticipated the withdrawal of troops justified the fifty percent posture on X+30 as planned, however a few problems were encountered (see withdrawal and roll-up phases, below). The fifty percent stand-down was accomplished a little behind schedule but proved appropriate as the detachment's mission decreased sharply as the deactivation period continued. On X+45 the entire operation was terminated, and Cords Aviation assumed the mission with no difficulties. The 57th Medical Detachment's role in Operation Homecoming was greatly diminished when the actual transfer was made. The two aircraft from Nha Trang arrived in Saigon on 27 January 1973 to augment the 57th Medical Detachment's assets. Two ships were deployed to Can Tho to cover Military Region IV. On X-Day the entire unit was placed on 100% alert bringing to bear six ships with complete crews for the detachment's area of operations. The detachment remained in this overreaction posture until X+10 when reliable intelligence was received to indicate the POWs would be released in large groups at a centralized point. The aircraft and crews from Nha Trang returned to base on X+12. During this same period of 100% readiness posture, a requirement was placed on the detachment for another ship and crew to remain on a three-minute alert at the heliport for Vice President
Agnew's visit to Saigon. This additional commitment required another crew to remain on the flight line twenty-four hours a day for the duration of the Vice President's stay. The special crew for Mr. Agnew remained on the flight line, not leaving even for meals for four days. With the additional information available on Operation Homecoming and the special standby completed the unit return to normal alert rotation, that being one ship in Can Tho and two ships on alert in Saigon. When the first POW release was announced for 12 February 1973, the Detachment was briefed on its role. Since there was going to be a group released at a centralized point the headquarters element responsible for coordinating the operation decided only one Dustoff aircraft would be required. The remaining aircraft would be supplied by the 59th Corps Aviation Company. The detachment was also advised it would only be allowed a three-man crew, which was contrary to normal practices on any medical aircraft, but even over loud protests the three-man crew remained. The crew was chosen on 9 February 1973 and received extensive briefings from the operation commanders. At 0700 hours on 12 February 1973 the ship departed with the advance party for Loc Ninh for the release to take place. After many hours of delay and bickering the contingent returned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base with the returnees at approximately 2100 hours. The Dustoff ship transported one litter patient, Captain David Earle Baker, USAF, the only POW that required immediate medical attention. The next POW release was scheduled for 27 February 1973 but due to difficulties with the major parties the release was delayed until 4 February 1973. The second release took place completely from Hanoi. With this release the detachment's role in the POW releases was completed.
Withdrawal phase Planning When an agreement to end the hostilities in the Republic of Vietnam was imminent a roster of tentative X plus date DEROS was published by the Commanding Officer. The X plus DEROS roster was compiled with the coordination of each section leader to consider mission requirements anticipated and projected strength levels as directed by higher headquarters. Anticipated requirements indicated a fifty percent posture by X+30 would correlate with operational requirements. The drawdown to the fifty percent posture would be made gradually beginning on X+15. The first individuals to be released would be composed of hard DEROS personnel. After the first group the remaining personnel would be released in groups of five as their usefulness or requirement decreased. At X+30 the unit strength would be twenty-two personnel. These twenty-two remaining individuals would then be retained until X+45 to fulfill the mission requirements. At X+46 the personnel in the final group would begin to depart as the unit continued to inactivate. Key personnel, including the Commanding Officer, Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer and Property Book Officer would remain until approximately X+51 to complete the detachment's final closeout.
Actual events A great influx of personnel and the majority of the redeploying/inactivating units closing ahead of schedule caused initial planning changes to be made shortly after X-day. The detachment was required to amend its personnel rotation schedule to begin on X+29 with the fifty percent posture being reached at X+34. One aviator departed on X+10 as his normal Date of Estimated Return from Overseas (DEROS). On X+30 the departure of U.S. Forces was suspended because of the delay in the release of American POWs. Once again, the detachment's release projections were revised and when the POW problem was resolved on X+35 the detachment's personnel status was reduced to fifty percent. The remaining twenty-two personnel were retained until X+45 as previously planned. As the 57th's mission terminated on X+45 the detachment released personnel in groups of four and five until by X+49 only four personnel remained to complete the final closeout. On X+51 the last four personnel reported to Camp Alpha for their return to the United States.
Roll-up phase Planning The turn-in and/or transfer of unit property was set forth in Operation Countdown (OPLAN 215). According to the guidance received much of the unit property was transferred to the ARVN or RVNAF prior to the peace treaty becoming a reality. The physical transfer of the property going to the Vietnamese Forces would not take place until the treaty became effective and at such a time when the requirement for the equipment by U.S. Forces was non-existent. All items not covered under Operation Countdown were to be turned into the keystone facility at Long Binh Post. The unit's aircraft physical transfer was under the direction of 1st Aviation Brigade G-4 section. The aircraft would be turned over to RVNAF with three being transferred by X+30. The remaining three ships would be physically transferred on or about X+45. All installation property had already been laterally transferred to the keystone processing activity prior to X-Day.
Actual events As directed in Operation Thunderbolt the appropriate equipment was transferred to ARVN and RVNAF forces prior to X-Day and hand receipted back to the detachment until the requirement for them no longer existed. Following directives from the
1st Aviation Brigade G-4 the 57th's aircraft were held in the detachment until the RVNAF came to sign for them. Originally the direct support unit was going to act as a holding agent, but it was decided this would add unnecessary work and delay, thus the detachment dealt directly with 1st Aviation Brigade and the RVNAF for aircraft transfer. The first actual transfer of an aircraft was 16 February 1973 (X+19) when aircraft 69-15620 was transferred to the RVNAF. The problem in POW release caused a delay in the physical transfer of aircraft 68-15465 and 69–15223. The difficulties were resolved on X+34 and both of these aircraft were physically transferred on X+40. The remaining aircraft, 69–15278, 69–15296, and 69-15181 were held until X+45 to correlate with mission requirements. Three days were allowed for preparation and the remaining aircraft were turned in on X+49. All weapons, ammunition, and signal grenades were turned in on 1 March 1973 (X+3l). The M-16 rifles were turned over to ARVN forces with the hand receipt. All other weapons to include pistols and grenade launchers were turned into keystone, while the ammunition was given to the Long Binh Depot. All station property was turned in as requirements permitted. The majority of the office equipment was turned into the keystone facility by X+30. With the first turn-in of the station property keystone revised the detachment's procedure. Instead of turning property in directly to keystone, who was acting as a holding agent, the detachment's property was hand receipted to all AFT; the receiving agency. The remaining station property was then physically transferred on X+46. All unit property was turned in by X+49 and the final audit was completed on X+50. == Support to XVIII Airborne Corps ==