USAF / 33d ERQS / HH-60G / Jolly Green Giant

Expeditionary Squadrons are always made up with short notice & designed for operational use for a short duration, for example disaster relief. The 33rd RQS has had no shortages of humanitarian efforts, especially situated in Asia. The first patches made as an ERQS were for the relief efforts in Sri Lanka following a devastating earthquake during Christmas 2005.

33d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron

Operation UNIFIED ASSURANCE

Bandaranaike IAP, Sri Lanka

Full Colour

2005

This patch was made in 2005 for Operation Unified Assistance after an earthquake on Boxing Day measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale hit off the coast of Sumatra. The Squadron deployed six HH-60G's that operated from Bandaranaike IAP near Columbo in Sri Lanka. The quake killed more than 225,000 people & left 1.7 million people homeless. The 33rd deployed their HH-60's to Sri Lanka to assist with the emergency effort. This patch is still available at Flightline Insignia. The patch depicts standing Buddha which means he is about to travel & teach after achieving Nirvana. All of the Buddhas posture & poses have a meaning in the Buddhist religion. Manufactured in Korea, embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge.

This was made up with green gaffer tape & put onto the operations building at Bandaranaike IAP. (USAF Photo courtesy of the 33rd Rescue Squadron)

33d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron

Operation UNIFIED ASSURANCE

Bandaranaike IAP, Sri Lanka

Full Colour

2005

These patches were made in 2005 for Operation Unified Assistance after an earthquake on Boxing Day measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale hit off the coast of Sumatra. The Squadron deployed six HH-60G's that operated from Bandaranaike IAP near Columbo in Sri Lanka. The quake killed more than 225,000 people & left 1.7 million people homeless. The 33rd deployed their HH-60's to Sri Lanka to assist with the emergency effort.

 These two of 3 patches made, one variation having been made with lighter green threads. The Squadron deployed six HH-60G's that operated from Bandaranaike IAP near Columbo in Sri Lanka. The patch was made with the Hindu Lord Ganesh instead of the Jolly Green Giant.

They can be found at Flightline Insignia still. Manufactured in Korea and is embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge. This differs as the clothing is dark green the figure being the Hindu Lord Ganesh..

U.S. Air Force 33d Rescue Squadron Airmen prepare to redeploy back to their home base during Operation Unified Assistance at Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Jan. 20, 2005.

(USAF Photo/MSgt. Val Gempis)

33d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron

Bagram AB, Afghanistan

Desert Subdued Colour

c.2010

(USAF Photo by SSgt Jeff Nevison)

This patch dates to c.2010 & several versions have been made, probably due to the Squadron being deployed on several occasions. This version was made in Japan by Tiger Embroidery and is still available at Flightline Insignia. Also a picture of a crewman wearing the patch.

Embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge and backed with hook & loop.

33d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron

Bagram AB, Afghanistan

Desert Subdued Colour

c.2013

This patch dates from c.2013 & was made when the Squadron deployed to Afghanistan to support coalition forces. 

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge & the Giant in Dexter.

Crews on a training mission at Bagram AB, utilizing the hoist.

(USAF photo/SSgt. Christopher Boitz)

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👣