USAF / 33d RQS / Morale & Friday night patches / HH-60G / Jolly Green Giant

Morale or Friday patches, call them what you will, but the 33rd are the absolute masters of them, period! You could nearly wear them any time of the year, from summer (4th July), & into Autumn (Halloween) & Christmas, plus many, many more. Quite a few are made by the LPA & they have some great designs, plus a local patch manufacturer at Tiger Embroidery on their doorstep. Being based in Japan also allows the Squadron to tap into the rich heritage and colourfully artistic side to design some beautiful patches. Strap yourself in, grab a drink & enjoy some great patches & designs, plus I'm sure there's more to come in the future......

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Gaggle

Full Colour

c.2013

This is the Squadrons gaggle patch, as it shares a base with KC-135's, E-3's & a couple of 

F-15 Squadrons, the 44th FS "Vampire Bats" & the 67th FS "Fighting Cocks". Here they are depicted being winched up by a Jolly Green, a patch made from Tiger Embroidery in Japan & dates back to c.2013.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Gaggle

Black Colour

2024

Its been a long while since the Gaggle patch came out and the Squadron have made a black version. This was sold by the Squadron during America Fest in April 2024.

This is the stall sign at America Fest in April 2024 at Kadena.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Gaggle

Full Colour

c.2010

This patch is a modern Korean made version of the patch and it differs from the Japanese version as the giant is in sinister. 

Made c.2000 & is partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge & the Giant in Sinister.

Shimmering in the heat haze an F-15C Eagle from the 67th FS taxies past two Jollies hovering ready for taking off.

(USAF photo/SSgt Marcus Morris)

33d Rescue Squadron

Lieutenants Protection Association/LPA

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010

This patch is a Korean version of this patch, as it has a light coloured surf board & is created for the Lieutenants Pilot Association. I guess Japan offers good surf as the famous Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai, shows. This patch is still available via Flightline Insignia. 

Partly embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, the giant in sinister & backed with hook & loop.

33d Rescue Squadron

Lieutenants Protection Association/LPA

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2013

This patch is a Tiger Embroidery version of the patch, and can be identified as it has a dark coloured surf board. This was obtained from Flightline Insignia & was made c.2013. The patch can still be found at Flightline Insignia. 

Embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the giant in sinister.

33d Rescue Squadron

Lieutenants Protection Association/LPA

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2023

This version comes from Capt. TOMS which is located in Japan. Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge and backed with hook and loop.

Japan offers good surf as the famous Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai shows & is one of the most famous Japanese paintings.

(USAF photo/TSgt Angelique Bilog)

33d Rescue Squadron

Sunburst Patch

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2013

This patch is extremely colourful  (& one of my favourites) & was used when based at Kadena, AB, Japan. This was made c. 2013 by Tiger Embroidery in Japan, but the photo of it being worn was taken in 2023. It just goes to show the resilience of a superb looking and quality made patch.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Sunburst Patch

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2014

This patch was obtained from a collector  in 2021, & is a variation of the sunburst patch & was manufactured in Korea c.2014.

Partly embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, backed with hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter.

Airmen board an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 33d Rescue Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan. U.S. military troops are providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to residents of Quezon Province, where widespread flooding displaced about 168,000 people and left more than 1,400 dead or missing. Air Force and Marine helicopters are flying daily missions to the stricken areas.

(USAF photo/MSgt. Val Gempis)

33d Rescue Squadron

Okinawa State Flag

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

summer 2021

This was designed by the LPA crew on the 33d RQS during summer of 2021 & manufactured by Tiger Embroidery. This was worn when they were operating the

HH-60G’s at Kadena AB & was made with the Okinawan Prefecture flag being behind the Green Giant which recognises the area where they fly from. The Ryukyu Islands (琉球諸島, Ryūkyū-shotō), also known as the Nansei Islands (南西諸島, Nansei-shotō, lit. "Southwest Islands") or the Ryukyu Arc (琉球弧, Ryūkyū-ko), are a chain of Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan: the Ōsumi, Tokara, Amami, Okinawa, and Sakishima Islands (further divided into the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands), with Yonaguni the westernmost. The larger are mostly high islands and the smaller mostly coral. The largest is Okinawa Island.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & backed with hook & loop.

A huge thanks to Chris for helping me out & continuing the heritage of the 33d RQS & the Jolly Green Giant.

33rd Rescue Squadron

Habu Flight

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

spring 2021

This patch was made in the spring of 2021 was used by the Squadron as a Flight patch, which named itself as Habu Flight, the first flight patch the Squadron have made with the Jolly Green Giant. The lettering on the left of the patch is Kanji, which is Japanese writing using Chinese symbols & spells out "HABU". The giant is holding a staff with a Habu snake wrapped around it. The Habu is a venomous species of the pit viper, endemic to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. 

This was obtained from the Squadron, & a huge thanks for Chris for helping me. This was made by Tiger Embroidery which is located in Okinawa & supply the Squadron with some of their patches. 

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook and loop with the giant in Dexter.

33rd Rescue Squadron

Habu Flight

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2024

This was sold by the Squadron during America Fest in April 2024.

33d Rescue Squadron

Japanese writing

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2015

This patch is a Tiger Embroidery manufactured patch & made c.2015.
The writing translates into 33rd Combat Rescue. However characters on the top, five from the left is odd. Neither Chinese or Japanese uses this particular character to translate Combat Rescue. This patch can be found at Flightline Insignia. 

Partly embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, the giant in Dexter & backed with hook & loop.

33d Rescue Squadron

Rescue Scheduling

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2015

This patch was designed by Maj Rich "IKE" McCann who originally came up with the idea while assigned to the 55th RQS, serving as a Captain flying HH-60G's. A friend of his came up with the card design, which he 'stole' & adopted it into a design with the Jolly Green Giant on the patch. He made it with no squadron number of so he could take the patch onto the next Squadron he was assigned to when he was the scheduling officer. The role of the chief of scheduling is a busy job, and there was a joke on the squadron that the flying schedule was always a house of cards and about as stable. They were in charge of a very dynamic squadron & it felt like the scheduling officer was always building lots of house of cards.

The patch was originally made while Rich was at the 66th RQS, but the patch was made when he made a visit to Osan in 2015. When he got back to the US he found that the patch was very popular, so had a second batch made which was used by the 33rd RQS. This patch is the first version that was far east made, but for the 66th at Nellis, a lot of people (including myself) thought that this was for the 33rd RQS at Kadena. However Ike made the patch generic so any Squadron could use it.

Thanks to Rich 'IKE' McCann for the information. The patch can still be obtained here via Flightline Insignia.

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge. backed with hook & loop, with the Giant holding a house of cards in sinister.

33d Rescue Squadron

Rescue Scheduling

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

2018

This patch was a second run of this schedulers patch, and was made my Maj. Rich "IKE" McCann while serving in the 33d RQS in 2018. The original design was thought up while he was at the 66th RQS from a friends design of a 55th RQS schedulers patch. This was a second run, which was manufactured in the US, but worn by the crews in Japan, only 50 of these patches were made, making it very difficult to come across. A huge thanks go to Ike for the patch and the story behind it, pieces of information like this just add to the continuous story of the Jolly Green Giant. Slightly unusual as the top scroll is fully embroidered, something I haven't seen before.

Partly embroidered on twill, with the house of cards representing the precarious position schedulers have, as the schedule can fall to pieces as easily as a house of cards, backed with hook & loop & the Giant in Sinister.

A Pavehawk sitting on the ramp.

(USAF Photo/A1C Jacob T. Stephens) 

33d Rescue Squadron
4th July Celebration

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

summer 2021

This was designed by the LPA crew on the 33d RQS during summer of 2021 & manufactured by Tiger Embroidery. This was worn when they were operating the
HH-60G’s at Kadena AB.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & backed with hook & loop.
A huge thanks to Chris for helping me out & continuing the heritage of the 33d RQS & the Jolly Green Giant.

The Pavehawk can make its own fireworks, however this is for self defence from missile attack, a very real threat in the CSAR world.

(Photo Senior Airman Hayden Legg)

33rd Rescue Squadron

Halloween

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

summer 2021

This was designed by the LPA crew on the 33d RQS during summer of 2021 & manufactured by Tiger Embroidery. This was worn when they were operating the

HH-60G’s at Kadena AB, & was made first for Halloween 2021.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & backed with hook & loop.

A huge thanks to Chris for helping me out & continuing the heritage of the 33d RQS & the Jolly Green Giant.

A Pavehawk sits waiting for the witches & ghosts of the night.

(USAF Photo/TSgt. Chad Chisholm)

33d Rescue Squadron

Santa

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010

This patch is from the Squadron at Kadena AB, Japan. This was made c.2010 in Korea and obtained from Flightline Insignia.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook and loop, with the giant in sinister Santa!

33d Rescue Squadron

Santa

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2011

This is another variation of the Santa patch, this one being manufactured in Korea.

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge and the giant in sinister. 

Santa always travels by Pavehawk when his sleigh is being repaired, Rudolph is unwell or you are lucky enough to live on a USAF base with a rescue squadron.

(USAF Photo/Airman Nathan H. Barbour)

33d Rescue Squadron

Door Gunner

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010

This patch is made for the door gunners on the Squadron & can be seen being worn by a crewman in 2016 after the Squadron rescued a USMC MV-22 Osprey crew close to Kadena. 

Made by Tiger Embroidery c.2010.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Door Gunner

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2021

Manufactured by Tiger Embroidery in Okinawa in 2021 for the 33d RQS. The Giant is holding a M134 minigun which is capable of firing 7.62mm ammunition between 2,000 to 6,000 per minute.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop, with the Giant in Dexter.

TSgt. Jewel Steamer lowers the winch during a training exercise near Okinawa.

(USAF photo/Senior Airman Maeson L. Elleman)

33d Rescue Squadron

Winter Fox Works Design

Sunburst Patch

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

winter 2017

Another amazingly colourful 33d RQS patch, this time designed by a talented design company Winter-Fox Works. This design & patch were made in December 2017 by a Korean manufacturer, & below I have been kindly given permission to use the original images by Winter-Fox Works. The patch is still available here via Flightline Insignia.

Fully embroidered with a selvedge edge, & backed with hook & loop.

A couple of designs for the morale patch. (Winter-Fox Works) 

33d Rescue Squadron

Winter Fox Works Design

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

2019

This patch is a 2019 creation and its origins can be found with a designer in South Korea by the name of Winter Fox Works.

This one differs between the first design as it doesn't have the colourful Japanese sunburst.

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge.

33d Rescue Squadron

Winter Fox Works Design

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2020

This patch was made at a patch manufacturer at Osan AB, Korea during 2020 and its not known if the squadron ever wore it. This is a variation of a patch they did wear, however this has changed slightly as it has a black background.

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge.

A Pavehawk comes into land with a couple of Jollies waiting for their crew for a night mission.

(USAF Photo/SSgt Victor J. Caputo)

33d Rescue Squadron

Sprout Patch

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

1995-2000

Like most patches this does have a story that between 1995-2000, it was intended for the Sprout patch to be worn with anyone coming into the Squadron less than fully qualified and had to wear it until they got checked out. Unfortunately it never took.

The patch is partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & sprout in Dexter.

A pair of Pavehawks returning from a mission in Afghanistan. 

(USAF Photo by SSgt Lee A. Osberry Jnr)

33d Rescue Squadron

Jolly Green Jill

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2013

This patch design is taken from the original from the 66th RQS, and celebrates the role women play in the Jolly Green Giant mission. This was manufactured at a patch shop next to Osan AB in South Korea during 2020.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge.

33d Rescue Squadron

Jolly Green Jill

Kadena AB, Japan

OCP Subdued Colour

2020

This was manufactured at a patch shop next to Osan AB in South Korea during 2020.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge.

33d Rescue Squadron

Jolly Green Jill

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2024

This was sold by the Squadron during America Fest in April 2024.

33d Rescue Squadron

Jolly Green Jill

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

2019

This is another patch from 2020 from a manufacturer at Osan AB, Korea, again its not known if the Squadron used the patch. Its an partly embroidered copy of a superb design made by the ladies at the 66th RQS at Nellis AFB during 2019.

Maj. McChord performs an avionics system check on a HH-60G.

(USAF Photo by A1C Cynthia Belio)

33d Rescue Squadron

A$$HOLE

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010

This patch dates back to c.2010 & is most defiantly a patch worn when no-one important is around or if your easily offended. More than likely a Friday bar patch. This patch can be found at Flightline Insignia.

Manufactured in Korea, partly embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, the giant in Dexter & backed with hook & loop.

33d Rescue Squadron

More Dudes

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2016

Not sure why this patch was made, but was manufactured in Korea, c. 2016.

Partly embroidered in Korea on twill with a schiffli cut edge.

33d Rescue Squadron

More Dudes

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2020

Manufactured from a shop outside Osan AB, during 2020.

A variation of the colour patch, this one is partly embroidered on black twill with a schiffli cut edge. 

33d Rescue Squadron

Jolly Dolly

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2020

This patch was made for a dining in event for the Squadron's wives in 2022. It was initially made by Hawki Stitching in the US & has subsequently been copied by Tiger Embroidery in 2023. This is the first version made by Hawki.

33d Rescue Squadron

Jolly Dolly

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

2024

Not many Hawki patches were made so I suspect this was manufactured by Tiger Embroidery in Okinawa. Originally made for the Squadron's dining in night for the wives of the crew. This version was sold at America Fest in April 2024 on the Squadron's stall.

33d Rescue Squadron

Coleman

Full Colour

I'm really not sure what this patch refers to, and who or what Coleman is.

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.

33d Rescue Squadron

FYM-ATS

Full Colour

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.

33d Rescue Squadron

Leather Jolly

Kadena AB, Japan

Leather Colour

2023

This was sold at America Fest in April 2024 on the Squadron's stall, however picture were on the internet during 2023 of crews wearing the patch. It was made by a Survival, Evasion, Resistance Specalist (SERE) who was married to a medic from the 33rd RQS. These were made as a hobby/side business and are a wonderful design and quality patch.

(USAF Photo by Lt. Col. Raymond Geoffroy)

33d Rescue Squadron

Golfer Jolly

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

2024

This was made by Aviation Gear during the summer of 2024.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

2024

This is a PVC version of a 33rd HMU patch that was made in 2024.

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👣