Dustoff 7-3: Saving Lives under Fire in Afghanistan

Very well written personal account of medivac Army helicopter missions in Afghanistan. Get the book if you want to read one that is difficult to put down.

DUSTOFF 7-3, is an incredible book. The book is based from the stories of Erik Sabiston and his MEDEVAC Crew during the 2011 Operation Hammer Down in the Valley of Death.This is one of my favorite books ever. The crew conducts considered to most, the most intensive missions in Aviation History. These missions had pure dedication to save the lives and support the warfighter.There is great humility and faith connection in the book. The book demonstrates Army and Life Values perfectly. If you decide to read this for pleasure, an assignment, or increase faith in God; I strongly recommend this book to anyone.I intend to go down the DUSTOFF Route and how Mr. Sabiston demonstrates his personal (faith-based) and professional values, I am excited and hopeful to be selected for the DUSTOFF Mission.

Let me start by saying I, too, was an Army Aviator flying Dustoff. Nothing I ever did nor imagined comes within a continent of what Sabby, Kenny, Julia and David did in Afghanistan. It takes brass balls to fly into danger like they did. I hasten to add that Julia Bringloe had the largest of those brass balls. As medic, she rescued 14 wounded soldiers while under fire. Up and down the hoist, knocked into trees and boulders, she showed the physical strength, determination and dedication needed to be a member of this heroic Dustoff crew. Oh, and when all was said and done, she found she’d done most of it with a fractured leg.David Capp, a novice crew chief had never done a combat hoist before. By the end of their on-line duty iteration over two days, he’d earned his spurs. Julia relied on him and he pulled through. The pilots relied on him and he made them confident and proud.Aircraft commander Erik Sabiston (author) and co-pilot Kenny Broadhead demonstrated the kind of airmanship reserved for Dustoff pilots flying unarmed into harm’s way to evacuate their fellow soldiers from the jaws of death. This duty is not for everybody. The pucker factor for the men and women who fly Dustoff in combat tops the scale. I won’t try to give examples of the situations in which they found themselves, nor the skill they used to survive and bring their wounded to safety. Read this fantastic story to become humbled by the courage and audacity of the crew of Dustoff 7-3.

Every member of American's Armed Forces understands that we never leave anyone behind on the battlefield. During the few years of my life that I spent rotating into Afghanistan to pilot Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions as an Army contractor, my crew's and I were often hundreds of miles from our own troops. We knew that no matter what, our fellow Americans would come to rescue us if we went down. Eric Sabistion's book DUSTOFF 7-3 is the story of those brave Medivac Rescue Crews, the men and women who flew unarmed into the most dangerous places in Afghanistan to bring out the dead and wounded. You will find no more harrowing first person account of bravery and flying skill than those described by Eric Sabiston. Steven Coonts who wrote FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER and 17 other NEW YORK TIMES best selling books says: "Sabistion does a magnificent job. I was blown away! The finest true combat helicopter story ever written."If you're a veteran, currently serving, love someone who has or is. Or if you're just an aviation or military history buff, you must read this book.

As a former helicopter pilot, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Erik has the ability to descriptively write everything that he and his crew were doing and it made me feel like I was right there with them. At times, my heart would race as I read through the pages. Not every military books needs to be about doom and gloom, or death. Sometimes all one needs is a story of ordinary humans doing extraordinary things to remind oneself why this country is so amazing. Average citizens volunteer themselves for service and end up in situations where the only thought is about those they are helping, putting their own needs behind them. That's why this is such a great story.

This book made me appreciate all these special Americans and marvel at their sacrifice and dedication to our country. I have taken them so for granted. I hope they will accept my humble, heartfelt apologies. Never again.

I started reading this book this morning and picked it up again every spare moment I had throughout the day until I could finish it tonight. Erik Sabiston does an amazing job in the telling of the tale of Dustoff 7-3. I cried during the prologue at the humbleness and humility of the author, a hero by just about anyone's standards.Sabiston takes you with him, and his heroic crew, while they defeat the odds during their missions to save wounded soldiers, bring vital supplies to ground troops, and bring the fallen home. I laughed, I cried, and my heart pounded during the reading of this book. Sabiston allowed me, a civilian, a brief but poignant glimpse into the extreme stress and emotional and mental roller coaster the members of our armed forces face when deployed I to hostile territories. After reading this account I have an even greater respect and appreciation for those who serve our country.Everyone with friends or family in the military should read this book if for no other reason than to learn and know that their loved ones will not be forgotten when they are in danger. The Angels and heroes of Dustoff will always be watching and waiting to bring them aid.

The author has done an excellent job of keeping the reader engaged in this account of flying medevac missions in Afghanistan by keeping the focus on a particular, challenging, operation. This gives the story and distinct start and finish, even though the conflict there is ongoing.In addition to telling a good story, the book highlights the whole crew nature of a succesful medevac mission while also describing some of the weather, mechanical and combat challenges that faced the team, without ever becoming too technical for a reader with a non aviation background.Overall, a good read describing what was obviously a very long weekend for the author.

very interesting read, this guy is a distant relative

Not overly dramatic nor overtly patriotic. Just a great story about an incredibly brave A class team and as a fellow helicopter pilot a fascinating read. I'm sure the movie is next....

Great Read For Those Interested In Rotary Wing Aviation. Army Medevac Pilots Are Brave Souls

Interesting Read