DARPA seek general anesthetic
for battlefield care

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) launched a new program called Anesthetics for Battlefield Care (ABC) 12 June 23, with the aim of developing safe and effective anesthetics for use in combat situations.

The program has proposed the development of an anesthetic that can be administered by general forces to casualties with traumatic injuries on the battlefield, without requiring specialized training.

“Combat anesthesia hasn’t significantly changed since the US Civil War – it can be agonizing, traumatizing, and burdensome for the injured as well as those caring for them,” said DARPA in a release announcing the program.

“On the battlefield, the troops have access to pain medication, but unfortunately, there is currently no safe option for general anesthesia or sedation that would enable life-saving interventions at the point of injury.”

The program is a research initiative that seeks to find a medication that would possess the qualities of being user-friendly, rapid in its response, and efficient without necessitating rigorous supervision or specialized medical knowledge in a conventional hospital environment, and induce the desired anesthetic qualities of inducing calming, a loss of sensation, a loss of consciousness, and reduced movement.

Kilmer, McMorris Rodgers Reintroduce Legislation to Honor Vietnam Veterans

On Feb. 14, 2023, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to award Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War with the Congressional Gold Medal. Dustoff crewmembers – helicopter air ambulance pilots, crew chiefs, and medics – performed aeromedical evacuation of over 900,000 U.S., Vietnamese, and allied forces from May 1962 to March 1973.

“Years after the end of the Vietnam War, too many Vietnam veterans have not been sufficiently recognized for their service and sacrifice. That remains true for the members of the Dustoff crews – who valiantly rescued so many,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War will be an important step toward recognizing the pivotal role that these service members played in saving lives and serving their country proudly. I’ll keep pushing to ensure we demonstrate our appreciation on behalf of a grateful nation.”

National Park Service Lifetime Pass

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that starting on Veterans Day (Nov. 11), veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and Gold Star Families can obtain a free lifetime pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.

Each lifetime pass covers entrance fees for a driverand all passengers in a personal vehicle (or passholder and up to three adults at sites that charge per person) at national parks and national wildlife refuges, as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Veterans can present one of the four forms of acceptable ID (Department of Defense ID Card, Veteran Health ID (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card) at participating federal recreation areas that normally charge an entrance fee. Gold Star Families obtain information, self-certify they qualify and download a voucher on NPS.gov.

Veterans Day Meal Offers

Veterans Day 2023 is Saturday, Nov. 11. This Veterans Day discounts list will continue to be updated as we learn of more nationally available Veterans Day discounts, meals or other ways businesses and organizations want to give back to Veterans. These Veterans Day and year-round discounts, free meals and other programs are being shared so that Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors are aware of all resources available to them. Offers are subject to change and may not be available in all locations. Verify with the organization offering. See the whole list.

july-august saber article posted

The latest article about the 15th Medical Battalion in Vietnam is now available on this Web site under Informational/Historical Documents/Saber Articles. Mike Bodnar faithfully pens this article each month for the 1st Cavalry Division's Saber newspaper. We have back articles all the way back to 1999. So if you're stuck indoors for a while, why not browse through the old articles - it's interesting reading.

Kilmer, McMorris Rodgers Reintroduce Legislation to Honor Vietnam Veterans

On Feb. 14, 2023, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to award Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War with the Congressional Gold Medal. Dustoff crewmembers – helicopter air ambulance pilots, crew chiefs, and medics – performed aeromedical evacuation of over 900,000 U.S., Vietnamese, and allied forces from May 1962 to March 1973.

“Years after the end of the Vietnam War, too many Vietnam veterans have not been sufficiently recognized for their service and sacrifice. That remains true for the members of the Dustoff crews – who valiantly rescued so many,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War will be an important step toward recognizing the pivotal role that these service members played in saving lives and serving their country proudly. I’ll keep pushing to ensure we demonstrate our appreciation on behalf of a grateful nation.”

purple heart day

Each year on August 7th, the nation pauses to remember and pay homage to the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or by an act of international terrorism or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives to defend the freedoms all Americans are privileged to enjoy. As America’s oldest decoration, the Purple Heart is awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces that has been wounded, died as a result of wounds received in battle, by an act of international terrorism, or those who died in captivity while a prisoner of war (POW). We now celebrate Purple Heart Day on the anniversary of its creation by General George Washington on August 7, 1782.

This year, many States, Counties, and Cities; sport and entertainment entities; colleges and universities, and other patriotic entities across the nation who have proclaimed themselves as Purple Heart entities, will raise the Purple Heart flag in recognition of the service and sacrifice of their local sons and daughters. In numerous cities across the Nation, the State Capitol Buildings and other major landmarks will be bathed in purple light to commemorate Purple Heart Day.

Fort Campbell honors dustoff nine

101st Commanding General Officer Maj. Gen. JP McGee began the memorial by reminding the crowd that the "Dustoff Nine" were completing “one of the most sacred missions in our division”.

McGee explained that the 6^th Battalion is different from others in the army. They are a medical evacuation team whose sole mission is to help soldiers and ensure they're alive. It was what they were training for on the night of March 29 when their helicopters crashed.

Lt. Col. Tyler Espinoza, commander of the 6th Battalion for the 101st Airborne Division, followed to the podium.

Espinoza's emotions fumbled his opening words before taking a deep breath, starting over and describing that he personally knew the nine soldiers. What a great loss to the 101st Airborne Division has suffered, he said.

“They were the heroes who literally flew to the sound of gunshots and cries for help,” Espinoza said. “Though this was a training accident, these nine were preparing and training to lay down their lives for others in need. I’m honored, and I’m humbled to be your commander.”

Then the 6th Battalion came to attention as 1^st Sgt. Justin Saint-Jaques called the ceremonial final roll call, echoing through the arena.

He started by calling the first names of each of the nine. Not receiving an answer, he called their first and last name. With still no answer he called their first name, middle initial and last name.

As Saint-Jaques ended the list of nine, a soldier replied: "Sir, they are not here. They are no longer with us."

The 9 who were memorialized

Warrant Officer 1 Jeffery Barnes, 33, of Milton, Florida

Cpl. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, of Austin, Texas

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Zachary Esparza, 36, of Jackson, Missouri

Sgt. Isaac John Gayo, 27, of Los Angeles, California

Staff Sgt. Joshua C. Gore, 25, of Morehead City, North Carolina

Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy, 32, of Cape Coral, Florida

Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, of Mountain Brook, Alabama

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rusten Smith, 32, of Rolla, Missouri

Sgt. David Solinas Jr., 23, of Oradell, New Jersey

Montana National Guard begins full-time operations

Helicopters will now be stationed full-time in Billings, Montana, to improve the National Guard’s ability to respond quickly to requests for assistance. These helicopters can assist authorities in Eastern Montana, Northern Wyoming and the Eastern Dakotas. Over the past 12 months, Montana Army National Guard has rescued more than 90 people in this region after flooding, accidents and other emergencies. The new operations will also improve the training of aircrew and soldiers in the area.

To support both the rescue helicopter missions and training, the facility at Billings will employ 14 full-time and 90 part-time soldiers. Most Army National Guard helicopters and aviation personnel will remain at the main Montana Army Aviation Support Facility, next to the Helena Regional Airport. Military helicopter operations at the Billings Limited Army Aviation Support Facility have been given the approval to go ahead, after an Environmental Assessment in December concluded that it would have no significant impact on the environment. Helicopters will now be stationed full-time in Billings, Montana, to improve the National Guard’s ability to respond quickly to requests for assistance.

These helicopters can assist authorities in Eastern Montana, Northern Wyoming and the Eastern Dakotas. Over the past 12 months, Montana Army National Guard has rescued more than 90 people in this region after flooding, accidents and other emergencies. The new operations will also improve the training of aircrew and soldiers in the area. To support both the rescue helicopter missions and training, the facility at Billings will employ 14 full-time and 90 part-time soldiers. Most Army National Guard helicopters and aviation personnel will remain at the main Montana Army Aviation Support Facility, next to the Helena Regional Airport.

Military helicopter operations at the Billings Limited Army Aviation Support Facility have been given the approval to go ahead, after an Environmental Assessment in December concluded that it would have no significant impact on the environment.

2023 reunion registration is now open

Guess what Santa brought? Go ahead and guess. He delivered a registration form for the 2023 reunion. Yuppers, you can now register for our next reunion using a check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. Just go to our Web site and start with the Reunion menu. So all y’all wanting some warmer weather from 26 Apr to 30 Apr, well, hitch up your wagon and come to Austin, TX.

Nov-dec saber article posted

The latest article about the 15th Medical Battalion in Vietnam is now available on this Web site under Informational/Historical Documents/Saber Articles. Mike Bodnar faithfully pens this article each month for the 1st Cavalry Division's Saber newspaper. We have back articles all the way back to 1999. So if you're stuck indoors for a while, why not browse through the old articles - it's interesting reading.

new photos from 67-68 added

I received a CD of pictures, thanks to Ken Archambault, from his time with 15th Med Bn back in the 67-68 timeframe. There are quite a few pictures of "young warriors" that are unlabeled on Photo page 6. I know I'm asking the nearly impossible, but if any of you old farts still have memory cells from only moderate drinking, I sure would appreciate an e-mail or text with a name for one (or more) of Ken's pictures. Oh, wait, if I'm asking for help from the 67-68 year group, you probably don't have a smartphone so texts are out of the question. God, I can't believe we still have folks alive that were around way, way back in 67!! Love ya guys.

lost and missing members

We've got over two hundred names of soldiers that served with the 15th Medical Battalion but we have no way to contact them - no address and no e-mail address. We'd appreciate you taking the time to scan the Lost and Missing Members List and seeing if you know how to contact any of them. If you do find someone you are in contact with, please ask them to visit this site and fill out the Contact Us form or you complete the form for them.

Webmeister Needs Your Help

The database making up the Unit Member Search has been scrubbed to make it as accurate as we can at this time. All e-mail addresses were checked for currency and "dead" e-mail addresses deleted. This leaves many members without an operating e-mail address associated with their data. I need your help in filling in the blanks. Please search for friends you served with and if you notice an individual's name doesn't have an e-mail address, but you known what the e-mail address is, then please e-mail me. Thanks.