40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1975
The 40th ARRS came to Vietnam on the 18 Mar 1968 at Udorn RTAFB with HH-3's & HH-53's. The HH-43 were added to the Squadron in 1971 until it inactivated on the 31 Jan 1976. The unit moved to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB on the 15 Sep 1975, before trading in the helicopters in Jul 1975 to operate HC-130's until its inactivation. The HH-53 also picked up the nickname BUFF, the same time as the monstrous B-52, also participating in the war in SEA. The 40th also operated 8 detachment through SEA with the local rescue HH-43 Huskies.
This patch worn in SEA, was made in the U.S, surprisingly as most units had patches made in theatre at local tailor shops.
This patch worn in SEA, was made in the U.S, surprisingly as most units had patches made in theatre at local tailor shops.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, with the giant in Dexter.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
BUFF
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1969
This is the patch from above, this being sewn onto Col.Jock Schwank who was a pilot on the 40th ARRS from 1968-1969. Col. Schwank was responsible for rescues in SEA, and a few are listed below from Jim Burns from the Jolly Green Association.
1968 - November 10; A HH-53B (Call sign “Jolly Green 69”) from Det. 1, 40th ARRS at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by Maj. Robert E. Smith (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), SSgt. Maxie L. Hilligoss (FE), SSgt. Albert W. Foster III (PJ) and Dennis C. O'Connor (PJ) rescued three U.S. Army troops, SFC James H. Sweeney, SSgt. K. D. Scholz and SP5 J. B. Dixon and six indigenous troops from a ground team (Call sign "Ragtop"). No other details are known currently.
1968 - December 22; HH-53B from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by Capt. Clarence C. Campbell (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), SSgt. Maurice W. Willner (FE), Sgt. Tommy W. Meyer (PJ) and Sgt. Thomas R. Pope (PJ), rescued the co-pilot, 1st Lt. Robert E. Hoffman, of a RF-4C (Call sign "Danube 01") after he and his pilot crash landed their AAA fire damaged aircraft at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. The RF-4C pilot, Capt. Terry Lynn Greenhalgh was KIA.
1969 - January 14; A HH-3E #64-14230 (Call sign “Jolly Green 17”) from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by USCG Lt. Cmdr. Lonnie L. Mixon (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), Sgt. Barry D. Burnett (FE), Sgt. Henry L. Hebert (PJ) and TSgt. Dalford R. V. Widner (PJ), medevacked a Thai woman delivering triplets from a small, isolated village in Thailand. No other details are known currently.
1969 - August 08; A HH-53B from the 40th ARRS, crewed by Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (P), Maj. Carroll N. Keesler (CP), SSgt. Thomas D. Blakeney (FE), SSgt. John E. Wilson (PJ), A1C Terry E. Caffery (PJ) and Sgt. Ronald L. Surratt (AP), rescued two of four, crew members< Cmdr. James L. Berry, Lt. Jg. Christropher G. Overton, of a U.S. Navy RA-3B (Call sign “Quiz Show 904”) that had been downed by double engine failure near CH-72 in Laos. The other two survivors were rescued by an Air America H-34. No other details are available currently.
1968 - December 22; HH-53B from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by Capt. Clarence C. Campbell (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), SSgt. Maurice W. Willner (FE), Sgt. Tommy W. Meyer (PJ) and Sgt. Thomas R. Pope (PJ), rescued the co-pilot, 1st Lt. Robert E. Hoffman, of a RF-4C (Call sign "Danube 01") after he and his pilot crash landed their AAA fire damaged aircraft at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. The RF-4C pilot, Capt. Terry Lynn Greenhalgh was KIA.
1969 - January 14; A HH-3E #64-14230 (Call sign “Jolly Green 17”) from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by USCG Lt. Cmdr. Lonnie L. Mixon (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), Sgt. Barry D. Burnett (FE), Sgt. Henry L. Hebert (PJ) and TSgt. Dalford R. V. Widner (PJ), medevacked a Thai woman delivering triplets from a small, isolated village in Thailand. No other details are known currently.
1969 - August 08; A HH-53B from the 40th ARRS, crewed by Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (P), Maj. Carroll N. Keesler (CP), SSgt. Thomas D. Blakeney (FE), SSgt. John E. Wilson (PJ), A1C Terry E. Caffery (PJ) and Sgt. Ronald L. Surratt (AP), rescued two of four, crew members< Cmdr. James L. Berry, Lt. Jg. Christropher G. Overton, of a U.S. Navy RA-3B (Call sign “Quiz Show 904”) that had been downed by double engine failure near CH-72 in Laos. The other two survivors were rescued by an Air America H-34. No other details are available currently.
A huge thanks to Blake Schwank (Jocks son) for the pictures of his fathers party suit an patches, a true American hero and Jolly Green Giant.
A HH-53 taxis past a couple of Super Jolly Green Giants prior to a flight from Udorn RTAFB.
(Photo courtesy of Ed Waldrup)
Rescue crews visited Squadrons to brief new pilots on rescue techniques & procedures. During a visit to Ubon a rescue crewman was met by the Wing CO legendary Gen. Robin Olds, who told him "If one son of a bitch on this base lets you buy your own drink, I want his name!"
Robin Olds was the commander of the 8th TFW at Ubon during the SEA War. During his career he was credited with downing 17 aircraft becoming a triple ace. 12 aircraft were shot down in the Second World War & 5 in Vietnam, flying a total of 259 combat missions 107 in WWII & 152 in SEA.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
BUFF
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1975
(This is from the collection of Rick Versteeg and a huge thanks to him for allowing me to use the picture in the blog)
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
BUFF
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1975
The picture of this patch is found from the collection of Alec Fushi, and he's kindly let me put it on the blog for an example of a SEA patch. Early Jolly Green Giant patches were yellow background and this is from the very early 1970's.
If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
BUFF
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Woodland Subdued Colour
1968-1975
This patch is a difficult to find subdued version, this from the collection of Alec Fushi.
Embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge, with the giant in Dexter.
If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
U
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1975
The picture of this patch is found from the collection of Alec Fushi, and he's kindly let me put it on the blog for an example of a SEA patch. A very early Jolly Green Giant patch from the 1960's.
If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
BUFF
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1975
Far eastern made, more than likely Thailand. A large thanks goes to Alec Fushi, who kindly let me show the patch from his superb collection.
If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
BUFF
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1969
Early Jolly Green Giant patches were yellow background and this is from the very late 1960's. This is a Thai made patch and is handmade so none of the patches are the same, although I have only seen one other example before. There is no significance in the yellow patch other than that its one of the first patches made.
1968 - November 10; A HH-53B (Call sign “Jolly Green 69”) from Det. 1, 40th ARRS at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by Maj. Robert E. Smith (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), SSgt. Maxie L. Hilligoss (FE), SSgt. Albert W. Foster III (PJ) and Dennis C. O'Connor (PJ) rescued three U.S. Army troops, SFC James H. Sweeney, SSgt. K. D. Scholz and SP5 J. B. Dixon and six indigenous troops from a ground team (Call sign "Ragtop"). No other details are known currently.
1968 - December 22; HH-53B from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by Capt. Clarence C. Campbell (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), SSgt. Maurice W. Willner (FE), Sgt. Tommy W. Meyer (PJ) and Sgt. Thomas R. Pope (PJ), rescued the co-pilot, 1st Lt. Robert E. Hoffman, of a RF-4C (Call sign "Danube 01") after he and his pilot crash landed their AAA fire damaged aircraft at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. The RF-4C pilot, Capt. Terry Lynn Greenhalgh was KIA.
1969 - January 14; A HH-3E #64-14230 (Call sign “Jolly Green 17”) from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by USCG Lt. Cmdr. Lonnie L. Mixon (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), Sgt. Barry D. Burnett (FE), Sgt. Henry L. Hebert (PJ) and TSgt. Dalford R. V. Widner (PJ), medevacked a Thai woman delivering triplets from a small, isolated village in Thailand. No other details are known currently.
1969 - August 08; A HH-53B from the 40th ARRS, crewed by Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (P), Maj. Carroll N. Keesler (CP), SSgt. Thomas D. Blakeney (FE), SSgt. John E. Wilson (PJ), A1C Terry E. Caffery (PJ) and Sgt. Ronald L. Surratt (AP), rescued two of four, crew members< Cmdr. James L. Berry, Lt. Jg. Christropher G. Overton, of a U.S. Navy RA-3B (Call sign “Quiz Show 904”) that had been downed by double engine failure near CH-72 in Laos. The other two survivors were rescued by an Air America H-34. No other details are available currently.
1968 - December 22; HH-53B from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by Capt. Clarence C. Campbell (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), SSgt. Maurice W. Willner (FE), Sgt. Tommy W. Meyer (PJ) and Sgt. Thomas R. Pope (PJ), rescued the co-pilot, 1st Lt. Robert E. Hoffman, of a RF-4C (Call sign "Danube 01") after he and his pilot crash landed their AAA fire damaged aircraft at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. The RF-4C pilot, Capt. Terry Lynn Greenhalgh was KIA.
1969 - January 14; A HH-3E #64-14230 (Call sign “Jolly Green 17”) from the 40th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, crewed by USCG Lt. Cmdr. Lonnie L. Mixon (P), Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (CP), Sgt. Barry D. Burnett (FE), Sgt. Henry L. Hebert (PJ) and TSgt. Dalford R. V. Widner (PJ), medevacked a Thai woman delivering triplets from a small, isolated village in Thailand. No other details are known currently.
1969 - August 08; A HH-53B from the 40th ARRS, crewed by Capt. Jock C. H. Schwank (P), Maj. Carroll N. Keesler (CP), SSgt. Thomas D. Blakeney (FE), SSgt. John E. Wilson (PJ), A1C Terry E. Caffery (PJ) and Sgt. Ronald L. Surratt (AP), rescued two of four, crew members< Cmdr. James L. Berry, Lt. Jg. Christropher G. Overton, of a U.S. Navy RA-3B (Call sign “Quiz Show 904”) that had been downed by double engine failure near CH-72 in Laos. The other two survivors were rescued by an Air America H-34. No other details are available currently.
A huge thanks to Blake Schwank (Jocks son) for the pictures of his fathers party suit an patches, a true American hero and Jolly Green Giant.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
SQUATTY
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1975
This is a patch that was made when one of the crewmembers was serving with the 40th ARRS at Udorn during 1967. This will have been made locally and as a one off.
If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Udorn/Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand
Full Colour
1968-1975
If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.
A massive HH-53 hovers into land at Udorn RTAFB.
(Photo courtesy of David Wharton)
If you have any additional information about this patch or anything to add, for example, photos or stories, please contact me at
usafjollygreen@gmail.com
I will get back to you.
Thanks👣
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