Scope and Contents

The collection consists of National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association newsletters from November 2008 through April 2026.

Biographical / Historical

The National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association (NDQSA) is the official veterans organization for the soldiers who served with Dusters, Quad 50s, Searchlights, Vulcans, and HAWKs in Vietnam. Their common bond is that they served in U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery units while in Vietnam, though only the HAWK battalions were actually deployed in a classical air defense artillery role. Their 14 different units served from the DMZ in the north; along the coastal plains; throughout the hills, valleys, and rivers of the Central Highlands; and into the Mekong Delta region in the south. The Dusters, Quads, and Searchlights served in small detachments with as few as two men in the case of a Searchlight crew, or 4 to 6 men for a single Duster or Quad 50. They were widely dispersed and protected Army, Marine, Navy, and Air Force units; Republic of Korea forces, Australian and New Zealand forces; and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces. Their duties in Vietnam covered a broad spectrum of services. At facilities and firebases, they provided counter mortar and counter rocket protection. Against ground attacks they would be located at the most likely avenues of enemy approach. They would also be tasked to participate in sweeps, counter attacks, and reaction forces. During convoy missions, they acted as a deterrent capable of quickly responding to ambushes and as ready reaction forces capable of breaking up bunker complexes with accurate fire. Their high volume of penetrating fire and the ability of Searchlights to “own the night” were in high demand and much appreciated. Whether protecting from a high point; operating from barges during riverine operations; accompanying ground infantry operations in the bush; or protecting Special Forces camps, they were there. “First To Fire,” the motto of ADA, was their call to arms.