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All to often in Army aviation, pilots feel the world revolves around them. If the truth could be known, the "guys in the back" were really the ones who kept the world revolving.
An unarmed medical evacuation helicopter in Vietnam was crewed by four people, generally in their late teens or very early twenties. The "guys in the back" were our Crewchief and Medic. Both were integral members of the team--commonly known as DUSTOFF.
We entrusted the Crewchief with our lives everyday we flew, for he is the one that performed the never-ending daily maintenance on the helicopter. He ensured the myriads of components were maintained within prescribed tolerances. Daylight, darkness, the blazing heat of 'summer' or the monsoon rains that could chill a person to the bone, were his operating environments. Pilots often left him with a helicopter damaged either by combat or from their own mistakes. In either case, we always knew that the "guys in the back" could get us flying again!
"Doc", as our medics were affectionately known, rode in the "back" with the Crewchief. With wounded on board, "Doc" became "god." Pilots listened intently to him! The wounded entrusted life and limb to the medic who they prayed had the skill to keep them alive long enough to reach the hospital. Time and time again, Doc brought the dead back to life through the magic healing powers he seemingly possessed. There were times, even with all of his wisdom and skill, he was unable to coach life back into a war beaten body. More wounded lay on the floor of his helicopter--crying out in anguish from the wounds--he had to tend to the living---the Chaplin would tend to the dead. The "guys in the back" could do no more!
Medics and Crewchiefs learned each other's jobs through on the job training. As a team, they ensured the helicopter was mission ready. As a team, they cared for the wounded during the fast trip from the LZ to the medical facility. No stronger team or bond between two people can ever be found than that formed between the "guys in the back."
In tight LZs, it was the "guys in the back" who kept the chopper clear. On the ground, they were the ones who jumped out in harm's way to load the wounded. A hoist mission in a hot LZ often found one of the "guys in back" receiving a free ride down on the jungle penetrator to help retrieve the wounded. The "guys in the back" made it all come together.
The heat of day, darkness of night, marginal weather or withering enemy fire could not prevent this dedicated team from accomplishing their mission.
Copyright 2003
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