In Vietnam, Radio Operators allocated the Call Sign “VAMPIRE” to the medical unit at Vung Tau and was used by all three Australian Medical Units – 2 Field Ambulance, 8 Field Ambulance and 1st Australian Field Hospital.

The word “Australia” was used in the unit’s name in Vietnam to differentiate 1AFH from the American Field Hospitals, and was subsequently dropped on the unit’s return to Australia.

The origin of the term “DUSTOFF” was the personal Call Sign of a Major Kelly, the original medevac pilot of the US 57th Medical Detachment at Thon Son Nhut. Kelly was killed in action on a medevac near Tay Nihn in 1965.