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1:126th Medevac

U.S. Army•65 members

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About this Unit

1:126th Medevac

U.S. Army

The 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (1-126th Medevac), part of the Army National Guard, specializes in aeromedical evacuation operations. Originally established as part of the 126th Aviation Regiment, the battalion has provided critical medical evacuation support both domestically and overseas. The unit has deployed multiple times in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and other missions, where it utilized UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to transport wounded personnel and deliver lifesaving care under combat conditions. Renowned for its professionalism and rapid response capabilities, 1/126th Medevac continues to play a vital role in saving lives on the battlefield and during disaster relief missions at home.

About 1:126th Medevac

About this Unit

Historical Facts

Origins: The 1/126th Medevac traces its roots to the Vietnam War era, where its lineage includes earlier medical evacuation units supporting ground troops in combat zones.
Nickname: The unit is often known by the call sign “Cougar Dustoff,” reflecting its medevac mission and the Army’s “Dustoff” tradition for helicopter medical evacuation.
Operation Iraqi Freedom: The 1/126th deployed to Iraq, providing rapid medical evacuation support across hazardous environments, often under fire, saving countless lives.
Afghanistan Deployments: Members served in Afghanistan, operating in mountainous terrain and extreme climates, showcasing the crew’s adaptability and courage.
Aircraft: The unit primarily operates the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, a versatile and reliable platform for medevac missions in combat and peacetime.
Saving Lives: The 1/126th Medevac has been credited with thousands of successful patient transports, from wounded soldiers on the battlefield to civilians in need during natural disasters.
Civil Support: In addition to combat operations, the unit assists in domestic emergencies, such as hurricane and flood responses, providing vital medical evacuation and support.
Training Excellence: The 1/126th maintains rigorous training standards, including high-altitude rescue, night operations with NVGs (night vision goggles), and hoist extractions.
Decorations: Members of the 1/126th have received numerous awards for valor and meritorious service, including Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal.
Legacy of Service: The “Dustoff” ethos—“when I have your wounded”—is deeply embedded in the 1/126th’s culture, reflecting their unwavering commitment to rescuing and caring for the injured, no matter the risk.

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1:126th Medevac

U.S. Army•65 members

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About this Unit

1:126th Medevac

U.S. Army

Unit members

Herbert Chase

U.S. Army · 1970 - 1972

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Kyle Williams

U.S. Army · 1964 - 1967

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Timothy Lovstad

U.S. Army · 1970 - 1972

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RICARDO Yearwood

U.S. Army · 1971 - 1973

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Army photos

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About 1:126th Medevac

About this Unit

Historical Facts

Origins: The 1/126th Medevac traces its roots to the Vietnam War era, where its lineage includes earlier medical evacuation units supporting ground troops in combat zones.
Nickname: The unit is often known by the call sign “Cougar Dustoff,” reflecting its medevac mission and the Army’s “Dustoff” tradition for helicopter medical evacuation.
Operation Iraqi Freedom: The 1/126th deployed to Iraq, providing rapid medical evacuation support across hazardous environments, often under fire, saving countless lives.
Afghanistan Deployments: Members served in Afghanistan, operating in mountainous terrain and extreme climates, showcasing the crew’s adaptability and courage.
Aircraft: The unit primarily operates the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, a versatile and reliable platform for medevac missions in combat and peacetime.
Saving Lives: The 1/126th Medevac has been credited with thousands of successful patient transports, from wounded soldiers on the battlefield to civilians in need during natural disasters.
Civil Support: In addition to combat operations, the unit assists in domestic emergencies, such as hurricane and flood responses, providing vital medical evacuation and support.
Training Excellence: The 1/126th maintains rigorous training standards, including high-altitude rescue, night operations with NVGs (night vision goggles), and hoist extractions.
Decorations: Members of the 1/126th have received numerous awards for valor and meritorious service, including Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal.
Legacy of Service: The “Dustoff” ethos—“when I have your wounded”—is deeply embedded in the 1/126th’s culture, reflecting their unwavering commitment to rescuing and caring for the injured, no matter the risk.