USAF / 34th WPS / Full Squadron History / Jolly Green Giant

The 34th Air Rescue Squadron was established on October 17, 1952, and subsequently activated on November 14, 1952, at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. Prior to its establishment, it had operated as D Flight of the 2nd Air Rescue Squadron. When the Air Rescue Service expanded its existing squadrons into groups, it replaced their flights with new squadrons, with the 34th Squadron taking over the mission, personnel, and equipment of D Flight. The squadron's operations involved the use of the Boeing SB-29, a rescue variant of the B-29, which provided escort support for B-29 Superfortresses of the 20th Air Force during combat missions to Korea until the cessation of combat operations in July 1953.

It was assigned to the 2nd Air Rescue Group from November 14, 1952, to September 8, 1954, and attached to the 20th Air Force from June 1, 1953, to July 31, 1954. Additionally, the squadron conducted search and rescue missions in the Okinawa area, utilizing H-5's, H-19's, and SC/C-47 aircraft.

The Squadron had this patch made to commemorate the SB-29's that they flew. The USAF converted 16 SB-29's nicknamed "Dumbo"

The patch has a character style bee that is holding a single A-3 life raft under the bee, the same way the SB-29's did. The life raft was self righting after being dropped by a parachute & had a four stroke engine which would give 8 knots in calm conditions. There was enough food, water & clothing for twelve people to survive for 30 days.

This was made as a heritage patch for the 34th WPS when they were based at Nellis AFB flying the HH-60G.

Weapons School

In 2003, the Squadron assumed the responsibilities of the HH-60G Division within the USAF Weapons School located at Nellis Air Force Base. The HH-60G Division has a prestigious and extensive lineage, initially established as the Air Rescue Service on March 13, 1946. It underwent subsequent name changes, including becoming the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service in 1966 and the Air Rescue Service in 1989, before finally being redesignated as the USAF Combat Rescue School on July 2, 1993.

This is the HH-60 Division patch that was made for the crews on the Squadron between 1995 & 2003, when the 34th WPS took over the role. As you can see the patch has the 57th radar along with the Wings yellow & green chequered band. It also has the hawk design that was used by Sikorsky & the traditional green feet of the Jolly Green Giant.

In 1995, the USAF Combat Rescue School was integrated into the 57th Wing under Air Combat Command (ACC), and subsequently, on July 7, 1995, the HH-60G Division of the USAF Weapons School was established. However, this division was later restructured, leading to its redesignation as the 34th Weapons Squadron on January 24, 2003. It officially commenced operations on February 3, 2003, assuming the responsibilities previously held by the HH-60G Division. The squadron's assignment was within the USAF Weapons School, where it functioned as an instructional unit, utilizing HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters for the purpose of training Pararescuemen and helicopter pilots in the art of rescue operations.

Jolly Green II

In Summer 2022 the Squadron received the first pair of HH-60W Jolly Green Giant II's, which are the replacement for the older HH-60G.

A Squadron Pavehawk sits on the ramp during the terminal employment phase of a course. The TE mission objective is to demonstrate & instruct HH-60 weapons employment & landing zone options to students by maximising weapons proficiency & quickly recovering survivors. The phase is one out of a series of advanced training programs administered at the USAF Weapons School. (USAF Photo by SrA Brett Clashman)

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 

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