internal medical group nets. The SSB nets were used primarily in the regulating of patients within the brigade and the exchange of command message traffic. The SSB brigade net allowed the brigade commander to communicate readily with even his most distant units. 2. Dustoff radio nets utilized both FM and UHF radios. The primary FM net was composed of VRC-46s at the local Dustoff control stations and ARC-54s in the aircraft. The primary FM net was used to receive and relay Dustoff missions and for command and control of the aircraft. The UHF net was composed of VRC-24s at the local Dustoff control station and VRC 15s in the aircraft. The UHF net served as the back-up system for the primary FM net. The alternate FM net was utilized to relay information on the type of casualties aboard to the medical groups which in turn directed the aircraft to the appropriate destination hospital. S-2/Historian Throughout 1968, the S-2 officer supervised the 44th Medical Brigade personnel security and intelligence program, directed the brigade historical program and was responsible for the preparation of activities and operations reports. In mid-1968, efforts were undertaken to establish a working relationship between the 521st Medical Detachment (QA), a medical intelligence unit under the Combined Materiel Exploitation Center at MACV and the 44th Medical Brigade. In late December, brigade headquarters hosted a conference which brought together members of the medical intelligence unit, commanders of the brigade prisoner of war hospitals in the 74th Field Hospital on Long Binh Post and the 311th Field Hospital in the Phu Thanh Valley, and brigade headquarters personnel. The result was the establishment of procedures to implement an open-ended study of medical records of VC/NVA prisoners of War who received treatment in U.S. Army medical facilities. Under the study, the prisoner of war hospitals would forward select medical information to the 521st Medical Detachment which in turn would use the data in compiling a study of non-effectiveness among VC/NVA troops. S-4 Throughout 1968, the mission of the brigade S-4 remained essentially unchanged, as follows: To advise and act for the brigade commander, as directed, in all aspects of medical and general supply, maintenance of equipment, transportation and services as pertains to the effective operation of all units assigned or attached to the brigade; to advise, assist and act for the brigade commander, as directed, in all aspects of construction and maintenance of