of the Provisional Brigade during the time of its existence. He rotated to the United States in early May and the position remained vacant until 6 June, when Lieutenant Colonel Lewis VanOsdel, MC, became Deputy. After he rotated on 12 September the position remained vacant until Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Miller filled the position on 14 November 1966. There were 58 medical units in the 1st Logistical Command on 1 January 1966, and 65 under the 44th Medical Brigade when it became operational on 1 May. On 31 December 1966 the Brigade had command and control of 121 units. The veterinary, dental, medical laboratory, and preventive medicine units, the medical depot, and the medical group headquarters were organized directly under the Brigade Headquarters, while the remaining units were organized under the medical groups by geographic area. The overall strength of the Brigade was 3,178 on 1 May 1966 and 7,830 on 31 December. Brigade Units -*The 61st Medical Detachment (LB) was a preventive medicine detachment, and the 61st Medical Detachment (MB) was a large dispensary. They were two separate and distinct organizations with the same numerical designation, but separate Unit Identification Codes (UICs). Personnel Status as of 31 December 1966 Air Ambulance Support in Vietnam The medical air ambulance helicopter in Vietnam supported combat operations and gave general area medical support for all forces in-country. The secondary mission included delivery of emergency whole blood and medical supplies as well as airliftincg keoy medical personnel (i.e., surgical teams, etc.). Combat operations were supported by placing one or more air ambulances and ground ambulance support in direct support of the combat troops. The aircraft picked up the wounded, not at an aid station, but at the point of injury. On average the wounded were in a hospital or being treated by a surcical team at a clearing station within thirty minutes. All combat wounded were evacuated by air at least once before being air evacuated out of country. Aeromedical Evacuation Statistics 1966 This led to an operational shift in Vietnam, as medical mobility no longer lay with the treatment facility, but with the evacuation units. This allowed the establishment of more or less fixed medical facilities throughout the country and enabled them to install better equipment and, in turn, provide better care for their patients. Throughout 1966, the 44th Medical Brigade operated 49 air ambulances, while another 12 were organic to the