During wartime, it was their job to fly into harm's way only to turn right back around to get our wounded soldiers off the battlefield.

The 498th Air Ambulance Company was inactivated at a ceremony on Fort Benning.

But they leave behind a history that won't soon be forgotten.

The army band played as if this was a joyous occasion. But instead it was a time to reflect. Forty-one years of saving lives, delivering relief, and even providing help to the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. For the original commander of the 498th, he could only accept the change.

"Sad and nostalgic, but recognizing with changes in the army as I indicated in the hope that the army will be more effective and efficient." said Lt. Col. Joe Madrano, first Commander of the 498th.

Colonel Joe Madrano led the 498th into Vietnam. It was the medi-vac missions during this war that saved thousands of soldiers. The current commander calls them angels of mercy.

"We're the angels of mercy on the battlefield and we take the mission of dustoff very seriously." said Major John McNally, current 498th Commander.

Dustoff is dedicated, unhesitated service to our fighting forces.

With the vast history of the 498th and the many missions they took part in on the battlefield, their final mission was evacuating people following Hurricane Katrina.

The 498th pulled more than a thousand victims off roofs following the storm.

"Some of the sights they saw reminded them of Iraq and they were a bit shocked to see that on our home soil." said Major McNally.

For the veterans of the company in attendance, they said it felt more like a funeral. But for current soldiers, the spirit of the 498th will live on no matter where they go.

And it was the air ambulance's success in Vietnam that led hospitals across the country to start using them to transport patients.

Members of the 498th will now join the general support aviation battalion on Fort Stewart near Savannah.