US Army medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) version of the UH-60M Black Hawk to replace the HH-60L featuring full medical evacuation mission equipment and an external rescue hoist. Capable of carrying up to 6 litter patients at a range of 510 Km ( 275 nm ) with a cruise speed of 278 Km/h ( 150 knots ). 100 HH-60M were already delivered by July 2012
“Dustoff” is the iconic call sign for U.S. Army air ambulance (MEDEVAC) missions, originating in 1963 during the Vietnam War with the 57th Medical Detachment. It was inspired by the dust clouds raised by helicopters landing to evacuate wounded soldiers. The term became legendary through Major Charles L. Kelly, who embodied its life-saving mission. Today, “Dustoff” still refers to rapid medical evacuation, now typically carried out by HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, maintaining the same purpose and legacy.