USAF / 33d ARRS / Det 13 / HH-3E / Jolly Green Giant

Detachments were away from the main Squadron, so to a point had to rely on local services for day to day running. This led to det crews sourcing local tailor shops that would make patches for them. Most of these were handmade, so you'll never see many that are identical, however, some will look similar as they had the same basic design from the shop. All of these Detachment patches were made somewhere in the Far East, but identifying exactly where can be a challenge, as crews had them made in Thailand, Japan, Korea & the Philippines. This means there are a few variations about, however, not as many in quantity as dets had fewer crews meaning less patches.

33d Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 13
Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

1970's

This patch was used as a transition patch between the 41^st RWRW & the 33^rd ARRS taking on the detachment in the 1970’s at Osan AB, South Korea. Used when the Squadron were flying HH-3E Jolly Green Giants & HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giants. Japanese made, partly embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, with the Giant head on.

33d Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 13
Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

1970's

This patch was used as a transition patch between the 41^st RWRW & the 33^rd ARRS taking on the detachment in 1974 at Osan AB, South Korea. This information was verified by the crew who worked on the unit & had the patch made & wore it. It is an incredibly scarce patch as it was used for such a short period & I suspect they went downtown to get them made, probably all unique as they were handmade.

Korean made, partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge, with the Giant head on.

33d Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 13

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

1970's

This is patch dating from the 1970's & is the only version I've seen with black lettering in the top scroll for DET 13. I've seen party suits with these patches on before, so this is a perfect example of a patch worn by HH-3 crews from the 33d ARRS Det 13 while at Osan AB.

Partly embroidered on gauze (cheesecloth) backed twill, with a selvedge edge & the Giant in Dexter.

33d Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 13
Sprout

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

1979

This patch dates back to 1979 and is a detachment set up at Osan AB, South Korea by the 33d ARRS, who sent a helicopter and crew (9 crew at the time the patches were made) from its home base of Kadena. The sprout was used as the Squadron thought this was a little detachment, so didn't want to use the Jolly Green Giant, but the smaller sprout. This is the first of a batch of sprout design patches that were made and is THE original (see history of the sprout here). All of the patches have been individually made in Korea, so none of them are the same, all are unique.

Partly embroidered on twill with a gauze (cheesecloth) backing, with a selvedge edge, & is smaller than the normal shield patch.

A pair of CH-3's receive maintenance while parked on the ramp.

(USAF photo/Sgt. Robert Brown)

I suspect these are one off's as most of the patches made in the Far East are handmade, so getting these examples are going to be impossible as they'll all be different. I've included these for the completeness of the blog & to show you what other versions & manufacturing techniques there are.

33d Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 13

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

1970's

This is another variation of the Detachment 13 patch this one looks like it was made in Japan or Korea. Embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge, & 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.

33d Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 13

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

1970/80's

Another variation from Det. 13, again a version made in South East Asia. Embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge.

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 Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 13

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

1970's

Another variation from Det. 13, again a version made in South East Asia. Embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge.

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.

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👣