USAF / 37th ARRS / Full Squadron History / Jolly Green Giant

On October 17, 1952, B Flight of the 3rd Air Rescue Group was constituted as the 37th Air Rescue Squadron, absorbing all the aircraft and personnel from A Flight. The Squadron was officially activated and assigned to the 3rd Air Rescue Group on November 14, 1952, stationed at Komaki AB, Japan. It initially utilized SB-29 and SC-47 aircraft, which had been part of the former A Flight. The squadron subsequently relocated to Yokota AB, Japan, on July 23, 1954, but ceased using the SC-47 when it was retired from service. The SB-29 continued in service until the squadron's deactivation on May 8, 1955.

Southeast Asia & Vietnam

The Squadron was redesignated as the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron and formally activated on December 14, 1965, at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, under the command of Military Airlift Command (MAC). Although the organization process was completed on January 8, 1966, it was subsequently reassigned to the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group. Operating with five HU-16s on loan from the 31st ARRS and the 33rd ARRS at Da Nang AB, the squadron managed aircrew recovery missions across North Vietnam, Laos, and the Gulf of Tonkin, while also maintaining a detachment at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.

SEA Detachments

The Squadron operated a variety of aircraft in Southeast Asia, the reason being is that air rescue was seriously needed & new airframes to perform these duties were coming online. On 30 March 1966, two HC-130s were delivered to Detachment 1 at Udorn RTAFB. A further 3 HC-130s were delivered to Udorn in June 1966. On 16 January 1967, the squadron's HC-130s at Udorn RTAFB were transferred to the newly formed 39th ARRS.  Also on 16 January Detachment 2, 37th ARRS was re-designated from Det. 5, 38th ARRS at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s

On 2 February 1967, all 5 HU-16s assigned to the 37th ARRS were transferred to the 33rd ARRS at Naha, Okinawa

In September 1967, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB received its first 2 HH-53Bs.
May 1967, Detachment 1 38th ARRS operating HH-3s at Danang Air Base was reassigned to the 37th ARRS.
March 1968, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB was transferred to the 40th ARRS.

DET	BASE	ACTIVE		AIRCRAFT	NOTES
		FROM	TO
Det. 1	Udorn RTAFB, Thailand	30 March 1966	16 January 1967	HC-130 (1966-1967)	Det.1 was taken over by the newly formed 39th ARRS.
Det. 2		16 January 1967	March 1968	HH-3E (1967) HH-53B (Sep 1967-Mar 1968)	Det. 2 took over the mission of Det. 5 38th ARRS. The role of the Det was finally taken over by the 40th ARRS.

This is the HQ building clearly showing what mission it performed with Pedro painted on the side.

The Jolly Green Giant

The HH-3E, introduced to the Squadron in 1967, was an upgraded version of the standard CH-3C, equipped with two 1,200HP engines that provided a top speed of 160 MPH (140 KIAS) at 7,000 feet and a ceiling of 12,000 feet. Its enhanced power facilitated an increased fuel capacity, with a 650-gallon fuel tank incorporated, offering 30 percent more range compared to the CH-3C. Additionally, the HH-3E featured two 200-gallon jettisonable fuel tanks, further extending the range to over 500 miles. These fuel tanks were sourced from the F-100 Super Sabre, a widely used aircraft throughout Southeast Asia. To facilitate air-to-air refuelling with the coordinating HC-130, an air-to-air refuelling probe was installed. For crew protection, Sikorsky incorporated 1,000lbs of half-inch titanium armour throughout the airframe, along with an anti-shatter canopy. Furthermore, the aircraft boasted a 240-foot hoist with a jungle penetrator capable of lifting 600lbs.

This certificate is when the Squadron operated the HH-3. This certificate is from Joseph G. McCusker who kindly gave me permission to use this image. A big thank you for sharing this with everyone.

The HH-3 remained in service with the Squadron until 1970, at which point it was replaced by the HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant. Additionally, in 1971, the Squadron acquired the smaller LBR HH-43s, which played a crucial role in providing local base support and fire rescue. Undoubtedly, the Jolly Green Giant saved numerous lives during the early years of the conflict, but this came at a significant cost, both in terms of finances and, more significantly, the human lives that were either lost or forever altered as a result of their experiences.

A HH-3E has some essential maintenance carried out by the groundcrew. With some potential customers in the background.

The Squadron was heavily engaged in Vietnam, undertaking rescue missions in an exceedingly perilous environment with relatively slow helicopters. Unfortunately, this resulted in a significant toll for the Squadron, leading to the loss of seven aircraft and 29 crew members.

Super Jolly Green

The HH-53C's incorporated smaller 450 US Gal (1,703L) external tanks compared to earlier versions, as it was observed that carrying larger, heavier tanks could adversely affect performance when fully fuelled. While the HH-53 shared the same fundamental avionics as the HH-3, it included an array of radios to enhance communication with C-130 tankers, attack aircraft supporting Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions, and aircrew awaiting rescue on the ground. Due to its size, the helicopter earned a new nickname. While the Air Force referred to it as the Super Jolly Green Giant, the crews often called it the BUFF, an acronym for "Big Ugly Fat F***er."

Obviously a HH-53 patch, but again not sure what Snacko Flight was.

 

Above: These certificates were presented to the crews on the Squadron & inducted the crewmember into the “Order of The Jolly Green Giants”. This one is for Jack Stoops & is a HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant certificate. I've been given permission to display it on the blog from his son David Stoops.

Undoubtedly, the HH-53 marked a significant advancement for the crews. Operating weights were twice that of the HH-3, with an additional 10,000lbs of useful load capacity, whereas the HH-3 only offered 3,000lbs of load capacity. With 4,000 horsepower from its twin engines, the Super Jolly Green Giant outperformed the HH-3's 1,250 horsepower, allowing for added titanium armour around critical hydraulic systems and engines. The increased size enabled the HH-53 to carry three GAU-2 miniguns as opposed to the two .30 Cal machine guns on the HH-3. Moreover, it could accommodate two PJs compared to just one on the HH-3. While the standard troop capacity was forty, during the later stages of the war, evacuations saw as many as 90 men, women, and children being airlifted out of Vietnam.

A Squadron HH-53 “Lizzy” has obviously been busy with 9 rescue missions being painted on the side of the helicopter. The BUFF was a huge leap in technology for the crew however its size did make hovering problematic. The crew complained of visibility, as the Centre of gravity was slightly behind the rotors so the crew would have the nose raised while in a hover & made it more difficult for the flight crews to see the pick up area. Excellent crew communication & coordination was vital especially when they were under fire picking up survivors.

Rescues Continue

On February 28, 1968, the Squadron achieved their 1,000th combat save since 1964, when Jolly Green 36 conducted the rescue of Capt. Gene I. Basel, an F-105D pilot from the 354th TFS. Due to a failure of the ejection handles, the pilot was ejected and thrown to the ground as his aircraft exploded. Pararescue Specialist Joseph M. Duffy descended on the hoist to extract the pilot, who had sustained two broken thigh bones. At the time of the rescue, Basel's parachute was tangled in branches, and ground fire was closing in on his location. Despite the challenging circumstances, the rescue was successfully completed within two hours. Nevertheless, not all of the Squadron's rescue missions concluded with such success.

On April 6, 1972, one of the Squadron's HH-53s crashed under heavy enemy fire while attempting to rescue Bat 21 Bravo's navigator, Iceal "Gene" Hambleton, from a downed EB-66 Destroyer in North Vietnam. This mission became the largest and longest Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operation during the war. Tragically, five more aircraft were shot down during subsequent rescue attempts, leading to the loss of 11 airmen, the capture of two others, and the death of an additional airman while evading capture.

Lt. Col. Gene Hambleton, who was rescued by the Jolly Green Giant crews in Da Nang, acknowledged the pivotal role they played in saving his life during one of the most significant rescues in Southeast Asia. A total of 234 medals were awarded to the dedicated crews from the Air Force, Navy, Marine, Army, and Coast Guard for their valiant rescue efforts, including a Medal of Honour and a Navy Cross. The magnitude of the rescue operation came at a substantial cost, with Hambleton expressing his remorse, stating, "I had to stand by and watch six young men die trying to save my life. It was a hell of a price to pay for one life. I'm very sorry." These sentiments were shared through a picture signed by Lt. Col. Gene Hambleton, captured by Jack Stoops, who flew with the Jolly Green Giants in Da Nang. I extend my gratitude to David Stoops, Jack's son, for generously providing this piece, and I am honoured to share this on the blog.

Dating from SEA but not entirely sure what or who the "Wild Bunch" were.

On May 1, 1972, the Squadron's Jolly Greens successfully evacuated 132 US advisers from Quảng Trị as the city was on the brink of falling to the PAVN Easter Offensive. The Squadron was initially assigned to the 41st ARRW, and on August 20, 1972, the 3rd ARRG assumed overall operational control. The 37th ARRS continued its operations at Da Nang until its inactivation on December 29, 1972. Following the inactivation, its HH-53s were transferred to the 40th ARRS at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, while its two HH-43s remained at Danang as Detachment 7 of the 40th ARRS, responsible for providing base rescue support during Operation Linebacker II.

Missile Support

Upon its reactivation on December 1, 1973, the Squadron was assigned to the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, with its headquarters located at Francis E. Warren AFB. The Squadron managed nine geographically separated detachments, all of which operated UH-1F helicopters and provided support to operational missile wings. Notably, Detachment 8 operated UH-1N helicopters and facilitated missile test and evaluation activities at Vandenberg AFB. With the deactivation of certain HH-1H units within the USAF, the helicopters were allocated to the Squadron. However, due to the limited range of the H model, they were primarily deployed to detachments in close proximity to the missile silos at various bases.

The new Squadron patch had a missile in one had while a jungle penetrator for pickups in the other. The aircraft callsign was also 'Bever'.

This information came from Rick Greenblatt 'COL Charlie Trapp, I believe was the “standup” CC @ FE Warren.  He was an U of Oregon alum, hence the beaver.  BEVER stood for “Ballistic Entry Vehicle Emergency Rescue”. 

A huge thanks to Rick for this information.

The detachments perform nuclear convoy security and missile site support along with search & rescue missions and casualty evacuation sorties.

The Squadron exchanged its larger HH-53 for the small UH-1 Huey that everyone recognises.

DET	BASE	MISSILE WING SUPPORT	PATCH
1	Davis-Monthan AFB	390th SMW Titan II
2	Ellsworth AFB	44th SMW Minuteman III
3	Grand Forks AFB	321st SMW Minuteman III
4	Little Rock AFB	308th SMW Titan II
5	Malstrom AFB	341st SMW Minuteman III
6	McConnell AFB	381st SMW Titan II
7	Minot AFB	91st SMW Minuteman III
8	Vandenberg AFB
9	Whiteman AFB	351st SMW Minuteman III
10	F. E. Warren AFB	90th SMW Minuteman III

Det 4 & Det 9 pictures from Little Rock & Whiteman.

Transitional Phase

Starting in 1978, the Squadron underwent a series of redesignations and reassignments. Initially, it was reassigned to the 39th ARRW on July 1, 1978, and later to the 41st RWRW on February 1, 1987. Following this, it was redesignated as the 37th Air Rescue Squadron on June 1, 1989, and reassigned to the Air Rescue Service. Subsequently, it was redesignated as the 37th Rescue Squadron on February 1, 1993, and reassigned to the 90th Operations Group.

A couple of patches which were used when the Squadron was a missile support unit.

The transformations continued, with the Squadron being redesignated as the 37th Rescue Flight on May 1, 1993, followed by the 37th Helicopter Flight on May 1, 1998. Finally, it was redesignated as the 37th Helicopter Squadron on October 21, 2005, a designation it has maintained up to the present day.

A Titan II sits in its silo & carries one warhead, however, this was massive as it had had a yield of 9 megatons which is 333 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

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👣