There's quite a few 31st patches & not many of them are the same! I suspect as they were based at The Philippines they had quite a few tailor & embroidery shops they could get patches made & the majority them look as if they were made in the Far East.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
The patch is far eastern made version probably manufactured in the Philippines, partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge with the giant unusually in sinister.
The patch is far eastern made version probably manufactured in the Philippines.
This is a patch dating back to the early 1980's as the Squadron was activated in 1981. The patch being was as one of the first patches made by the Squadron, this being verified by a crewmen that wore the patch at the time. When the Squadron was first activated it operated from Clark AB with HH-3's.
Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge & looking as if it is handmade as it has a faint blue line down the centre of the patch indicating that it may have some blue powder left on to transfer the outline of the original drawing. This is also backed with paper adding to the Far East manufacturer with the Giant in Dexter.
The patch is far eastern made version probably manufactured in the Philippines.
This is a patch dating back to the early 1980's as the Squadron was activated in 1981. The patch being was as one of the first patches made by the Squadron, this being verified by a crewmen that wore the patch at the time. When the Squadron was first activated it operated from Clark AB with HH-3's.
Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge & looking as if it is handmade as it has a faint blue line down the centre of the patch indicating that it may have some blue powder left on to transfer the outline of the original drawing. This is also backed with paper adding to the Far East manufacturer with the Giant in Dexter.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
A different variation of the Squadron patch, as this one almost looking like Shrek! It shows signs of being worn, either on hook & loop, or sewn onto a flight suit, as it has stitch holes around the patch. Dated from the mid 1980's & is partly embroidered on twill with a paper backing, has a merrowed edge with the pigtail glued down & the Giant in sinister.
Rescue of Brigadier General Charles A. Lindbergh
Brig Gen. Lindbergh with Maj Ware
On the 12 April 1972 famed pioneer aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, Brigadier General, with a television news team investigating reports of a “lost tribe” in the Tasaday mountains of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines, were stranded on a 3,000-foot (915 meter) jungle ridge line when their support helicopter developed mechanical trouble. Faced with a three-day walk through difficult terrain, the 70-year-old pilot was in trouble. The 31st ARRS at Clark AB on the Island of Luzon, was called in.
Maj Bruce Ware and his crew, co-pilot Lt Col Dick Smith, FE SSgt Bob Baldwin, & PJ A1C Kim Robinson, flew their HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, 66-13289, over 600 miles (965 kilometres) to the rescue location. The helicopter, call sign “Jolly 36,” was supported by a Lockheed HC-130N Combat King for aerial refuelling, navigation & communications
The pick-up point was a knife-edge ridge. Trees had been cut for clearance, but landing the Jolly was impossible. Maj Gray had to hover with the nose wheel on one side of the ridge, and the main wheels on the other, with the boarding steps a few feet over the ridge top. The very high temperature and humidity created a density altitude equivalent to more than 6,000 feet (1,830 meters). Hovering the helicopter out of ground effect (OGE) was difficult under these conditions & fuel had to be dumped to lighten the load. Even so, only a few persons could be carried at a time. Eight trips to a drop point 15 minutes away were required. Lindbergh was on the second load. On clearing the ridge, Maj Ware rendezvoused with the HC-130N to take on fuel. They partially refuelled twice during the ridge line operation. Lindbergh commented that although he had helped to develop inflight refuelling, he had never been aboard an aircraft while it was taking place.
After all persons—a total of 46—had been removed from the mountain, Jolly 36 and the Combat King flew back to Clark Air Base. The total elapsed time for the mission was 12 hours, 20 minutes, with 11 hours, 30 minutes actual flight time. Maj Ware had to just sit in the cockpit for a few minutes before he could leave the helicopter, but General Lindbergh refused to leave until Ware was ready.
Major Ware was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The other crew members of Jolly 36 and all those aboard the Combat King received the Air Medal. Ware retired from the Air Force in July 1989, after 29 years of service.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
This is a slight variation to a 1980's Squadron patch & from the slight wear & tear has obviously has been worn on a flight suit. This also has a 4” gutter down the middle of the
Hook & loop, which is massive tell-tale sign. It was also activated in Jan
1981 at Clark AB, Philippines & was redesignated in Apr 1989
so fits the 1980’s perfectly, I’d say from 1985 to 1989. With the less refined
embroidery I’d say it was Far East made, probably the Philippines. Used when
the Squadron was operating HH-3E Jolly Green Giants.
Partly embroidered on
twill with a selvedge edge, backed with 4” sage green hook & loop with the
Giant in Dexter.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
This patch again is from to the early 1980's when the Squadron operated the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant at Clark AB, Philippines. This version looks as though it was a Far East manufacturer probably from the Philippines & it does show signs of it being worn on a flight suit or previously having hook & loop attached as it has stitch holes around the edge.
It does have an interesting sticker on the back though, as it has a name of a HH-60 crewmember also with “Clark ’95 P.I”. I would guess this came from him to the previous owner as the 31st never flew HH-60’s. Partially embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge & backed with paper material with the Giant unusually in Sinister.
It does have an interesting sticker on the back though, as it has a name of a HH-60 crewmember also with “Clark ’95 P.I”. I would guess this came from him to the previous owner as the 31st never flew HH-60’s. Partially embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge & backed with paper material with the Giant unusually in Sinister.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
These patches dates between Jan 1981 to Apr 1989 as the Squadron was based at Clark AB, Philippine's flying HH-3E's during that time period.
The design & manufacture make it look as if was made in the United States. You can clearly see the same embroidery however, its very different thread & usage make these look very different.
Both are partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed egged & backed with 2" stitched together sage green hook & loop which perfectly dates this c.1985. The Giant is also in Dexter.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
This patch again is from to the early 1980's when the Squadron operated the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant at Clark AB, Philippines. This version looks as though it was a Far East manufacturer probably from the Philippines & looks as though it was handmade.
Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge
& backed with 2” stitched
together green hook & loop (which would date it c.1985),
& the Giant in sinister.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Instructors tab
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
Here is a Squadron patch with the additional Instructor tab at the top, which is very difficult to find, & dates from the early 1980's. Some units sew a tab although its not a common practice with Jolly Green units and this is a one piece patch, as patches sometimes had tabs added that were sewn onto the main shield, especially around the 1980's.
Due to the look of the patch it was probably manufactured in the Far East, more than likely a local Philippines tailor or shop.
Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge & the Giant unusually in sinister.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Woodland subdued Colour
1980's
This was made c.1985's, as a crewman who worked on the Squadron verified this. Its partly embroidered on twill, with what looks like a selvedge edge & has previously been worn & authorised by the Squadron & is backed with 2" stitched together hook & loop, with the Giant in Dexter.
A couple of HH-3E's sit outside in the evening sun at Clark AB, Philippines. In the background you can see the gable end of the main Squadron hanger with Jolly Green and the famous giant painted on.
(Photo courtesy of Don Gruchmal)
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
This is an early patch from the 1980's, embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge, with the giant in sinister.
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.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
A huge thanks goes to Ernie Green, 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.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Full colour
1980's
This is an early patch from the 1980's, embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge, with the giant in sinister.
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.
31st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Clark AB, Philippines
Woodland subdued colour
1980's
This is Southeast Asian made, more than likely for operation in SEA and Vietnam during the 1970's.
Fully embroidered.
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👣
No comments:
Post a Comment