the brigade capability. The addition of these units resulted in the following benefits: Permitted a reduction in field site requirements Reduced individual aviator flying time Increased aircraft availability and Obviated the need to shift resources between groups The new units were distributed as follows: The 68th Medical Detachment (RA) to Tuy Hoa The 236th Medical Detachment (RA) to Da Nang The 237th Medical Detachment (RA)to Camp Evans (Northwest of Hue) The 247th Medical Detachment (RA) to Dong Tam The requirement for a full-time aviation staff officer had long been recognized and the position was requested in an MTOE change submitted in February 1968. Approval was granted by USARPAC General Order Number 812, dated 9 December 1968. In addition to the aviation staff officer, a program was instituted to select and assign a company grade aviator to the brigade as the assistant aviation staff officer for a period of 90 days. The program ensured coverage in the aviation section during the absence of the aviation staff officer and allowed company grade officers an opportunity to gain valuable staff experience. Selection of officers alternated between the various air ambulance units in the brigade. In May 1968 the brigade was assigned a U-1A Otter fixed wing aircraft. After pilots were trained in May, the Otter became operational in June and proved to be a valuable addition to the brigade's aviation capability. It was used generally for the long-range transportation of medical personnel and critical supplies and equipment. Availability was excellent and utilization high. The Otter averaged 65 hours a month, with its high month being June when 96 hours were logged. At the end of 1968, the brigade was giving serious consideration to including a requirement for a fixed wing aircraft in the next brigade MTOE change submission. Aeromedical Evacuation Statistics 1968 (Note 1) RVN Civilians included in "Other" for January–March 1968 (Note 2) Abbreviations: FWMAF=Free World Military Assistance Forces; ARVN=Army of the Republic of Vietnam Communications The success of the 44th Medical Brigade's mission accomplishment during 1968 was directly related to its communications facilities. The two primary nets within the brigade were the single side band (SSB) and the Dustoff (medical evacuation) radio nets. A discussion of the systems follows: 1. During 1968 the Department of the Army approved a brigade request for thirty-eight AN/FRC-93 Collins SSB radios. Thirty of these radios were received and utilized in a brigade net and four