USAF / 46th ERQS / Full Squadron History / Jolly Green Giant

This is the patch design used by A Flight from the 5th ARG.

Early Years

The 46th Air Rescue Squadron originated as Detachment B of the 56th Fighter Group stationed at RAF Halesworth. Later, it was renamed the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron in January 1945. During the Second World War, it operated P-47D aircraft from Boxted Airfield in England. For each bomber raid to Germany, two P-47s would be deployed to orbit and monitor the bombers in the English Channel, ready to respond to any distress calls. The squadron successfully rescued 938 men during their service in England.

Two photographs of the P-47D Thunderbolts. The WW on the tail indicated "War Weary" aircraft & only WW aircraft were used in Rescue Squadrons.

The 5th also operated OA-10 Catalina aircraft that had previously belonged to the US Navy. These were perfect for the English Channel as they were flying boats.

The 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron underwent several redesignations, including the 5th Rescue Squadron, 5th Air Rescue Squadron, and finally, the 5th Air Rescue Group. One of its components, A Flight, became part of the 5th Air Rescue Group. This reorganization occurred on November 14, 1952, following an Air Rescue Service directive to upgrade the Flights within Air Rescue Groups to Squadrons. The Squadron was stationed at Westover AFB, utilizing SA-16s and HH-19s for their operations. Subsequently, it was deactivated on September 15, 1957.

Two early 46th Air Rescue Squadron images, the one on the left being a design & the right one the patch used in the 1950's by the Squadron.

War on Terror

Finding specific dates regarding the lineage and activities of the 46th Air Rescue Squadron might be challenging as it is an active Squadron within the USAF, often conducting operations in undisclosed locations. The Squadron was later redesignated as the 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, although the precise date of this change is not readily available.

It was activated c. Sep 2010 at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan flying HH-60G’s. It inactivated on the 30 January 2013. One part of the mission for the HH-60G's was to take on some of the missions that no-one else would do. For example the Pavehawk flew when nigh time illumination was below 20%, a lot of other agencies wouldn't allow, or be able to do that. Also if the threat environment was really high, the specialist HH-60's would perform the mission when others wouldn't.

Bronze Star Hero's 

The six members of the 106th Rescue Wing's 103rd Rescue Squadron were being honored for the courage they showed under fire during a 10 December 2012 rescue mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Bronze Star with V device is the fourth highest ranking United States military award for heroism.
The Combat Rescue Officer and five Pararescuemen, known collectively as Guardian Angels, flew into a "hot" LZ and were under continuous Taliban fire from AK-47s, machineguns, and rocket propelled grenades, as they called in helicopter gunship support, and provided emergency medical care to the four men while shielding them with their own bodies.
The six members were Capt. Ronnie Maloney, SSgt. Erik Blom, TSgt. Anthony Yusup, SSgt. James Doughty, SSgt. Matthew Zimmer & SSgt. Christopher Petersen. All were assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Detachment of the 651st Air Expeditionary Group, a part of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, at Kandahar Air Field at the time.

This isn't something new for the 46th as on the 12 July 2010 TSgt. Luis Garcia a PJ assigned to the 46th ERQS engaged in operations against enemy forces near Arghandab Province, Afghanistan, risked his life to medevac three U.S. Soldiers injured by improvised explosive devices, saving their lives.
For his bravery, he received the Bronze Star Medal with Valour.

It was then activated again at Al Asad, Iraq on  September 1, 2015 until c.2020.

A Pavehawk with magnificent moustache sits on the ramp at Al Asad. (USAF Photo/MSgt. Benjamin Wilson)

Left: The HH-60 crews picked up on the original design, this one used in Afghanistan.

Right: Another patch depicting the various roles that the 46th perform & was made for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Jolly 46 & 47

In December 2022 seven airmen were honoured for their actions, professionalism & bravery when in January 2020 Iran fired more than a dozen a dozen ballistic missiles at U.S. troops in Iraq. Two based HH-60G Pavehawks ‘Jolly 46’ & ‘Jolly 47’ had been assigned to evacuate American civilians from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as Iraqis rioted in the capital. ‘Jolly 46' crew were Maj. Michael Madden, Capt. Bryan Tordoff, MSgt. James Hollenbach & TSgt. Robert Rutledge, while 'Jolly 47' crew were Capt. Charles Heisler, MSgt. Christian Freeman & TSgt. Michael Buchalski. The pair were flying back to Al Asad just prior to at imminent missile attack on the base, the 46th ERQS was the only helicopter SAR assets. The crews refuelled & reconfigured their Pavehawks at Al Asad just moments before the missiles hit. The crews relocated to a forward base a safe distance away, along with three other Pavehawks. 'Jolly 46/47' then flew back to Al Asad to assist with rescue efforts & were only half a mile away from the second missiles that were launched. The airspace was chaotic & Buchalski provided an aerial lookout for the airspace around the airfield & guided the insertion of the PJ's on the ground.

The aircrews sent pararescuemen into Al Asad, conducted security sweeps, & assessed damage while fires raged, explosives continued to detonate & aircraft fled without the ability to communicate.

Maj. Madden flew under duress for over 13 hours, while Capt. Tordoff refuelled his helicopter in mid-air & relocated to an unnamed base to serve as backup for other SAR crews.

Left: Maj Madden receives his medal from Brig. Gen Sean Choquette, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Vice Commander. (USAF Photo/A1C Delvin Bishop).

Maj. Madden who was on 'Jolly 46', Maj. Grace Gibbens & Capt. Tont Delgado (I'm not sure which Jolly they were on) were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valour, the DFC with Valour is awarded to military personnel who distinguish themselves by a single act of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in a military flight. 

Capt. Tordoff, MSgt. Hollenbach, TSgt. Rutledge, Capt. Heisler, MSgt. Freeman & TSgt. Buchalski, along with Maj. Andy Travis & TSgt. Shelby Duncan (again I don't know which Jolly they flew with) all received the Air Medal with Valour & is awarded to military personnel who distinguish themselves by single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement in combat or combat support while in participation of an aerial flight.

Maj. Gibbons also received also received a DFC with Valour for the actions during the missile strike, seen here while assigned to the 46th ERQS. (USAF Photo/TSgt Jeffrey Foster)

The 46th ERQS is currently at an undisclosed location. The section of the base it flies from pays tribute to the crew lost on 'Jolly 51' as it it called Camp 51.

Painted on the concrete barrier to the 46th ERQS, current home.

Patches for the 46th ERQS
Not that you could tell this was from the 46th, but this was made by Aviation Gear in the USA.	The duck is an old design, however this design has a duck wearing a hockey facemask.
Jessica Rabbit is used in this design which is an early version for the Squadron.	An unusual design & looks like it was manufactures in theatre.
This patch depicts the Guardian Angel & is probably used by the Guardian Angel crews.	A guardian Angel patch seen being worn by one of the Squadron crew.
The original duck design is seen, this time as an OCP subdued colour patch.	The newest design made by crews from a squadron during a deployment.