67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 14
RAF Woodbridge, England & NAS Keflavik, Iceland
Full Colour
1980's
This one example of two variations of patches worn in the 1980's when the squadron was based at RAF Woodbridge. The Squadron also operated Det 14 at NAS Keflavik flying three HH-3E's from Iceland. Det 14 was set up at Keflavik in 1971 & reported to the 39th ARRW, however around 1978 it reported to the 67th ARRS based at Woodbridge. Detachment 14 was operational at Keflavik until the 56th ARS was established in 1988 & took over the role.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter.
The sign outside of the hangers at Keflavik.
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Detachment 14
RAF Woodbridge, England & NAS Keflavik, Iceland
Full Colour
1980's
This is the second variation of patches worn in the 1980's when the squadron was based at RAF Woodbridge.
The small patches stems from the 1980's when there was official guidance that decreed the unit patches could not be larger than the MAJCOM patch (i.e. TAC, SAC, & MAC patches). This was for all units regardless of assignment. This is why you see larger patches shrinking in the 1980's & you find 3" variations of patches that used to be much larger. The smaller patches were worn by crews who were on the Squadron & also deployed with Det. 14.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter.
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
RAF Woodbridge, England
Full Colour
1980's
This patch dates to the 1980's as MAJCOM's like MAC and TAC sent out an order to make Squadrons wear patches that were the same size as the MAJCOM patch. Hence the reason for a number of small Jolly Green Giant patches, this being one.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge with the Giant in Dexter.
Rendlesham Forest UFO
Little green men 👽visiting RAF Woodbridge🤣, well its probably not, but it still maybe green, but a Giant. It is rumoured that the 67th ARRS had a hand in the famous Rendlesham Forest UFO incident of 26 December 1980. Rather than a visitation from extra-terrestrial beings, it is rumoured that it was a 67th ARRS Christmas prank that went spectacularly wrong. The 67th had a boiler plate mock up of an Apollo Command Module which they could practice rescues on. Once retired it was refurbished and displayed outside the Squadron Headquarters as a “Gate Guard”. As a holiday prank the module was rigged up with flashing lights and was prepared to be flown around the base as a sling load beneath a 67th HH-53. The helicopter was started up, the module hooked up under it and off it went. It is a matter of record that the approach lights at Woodbridge were damaged at this time and it is believed that the crew mis-judged their height and the capsule struck , and severely damaged, the approach lights. The resultant instability in the sling load meant the crew had to drop the capsule into the forest. The lights came on as advertised and the rest is history!
The capsule sat in a cradle which had three circular pads on the bottom. The size of the pads and the distance between them is very, very close to the measurements taken by the investigators after the capsule was recovered from the woods.
The actual capsule is now on display at Patrick AFB.
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
RAF Woodbridge, England
Full Colour
1980's
The 67th ARRS operated the HH-53C & the HC-130 at RAF Woodbridge, UK until the unit split in 1988 as the 21st SOS took over the HH-53C's, & the 67th kept the HC-130's. This patch dates back to the early 1980's & has a bit of grime with wear & tear, a good sign that its been well used.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter.
Operation Eldorado Canyon
On the 15 April 1986 18 F-111F's from the 48th TFW, 21 A-4E's, & 6 F/A-18 bombed targets in Libya after a terrorist attack, aimed at US troops at a disco in Germany. These were supported by 18 KC-10's & 10 KC-135 tankers, EF-111A's & EA-6B's for ECM, plus rescue support from the 67th ARRS, who deployed 2 HC-130P's & 3 HH-53C's to Naples, Italy. During the raid which lasted 12 minutes, the 67th flew a HC-130P & 2 HH-53's off the coast opposite the Libyan capital Tripoli. The HC-130 was tasked with coordination of any rescue that may have been needed, the HH-53's the pickup aircraft. However in reality the HH-53's would have assisted in a search, & the Navy's SH-3 from USS America & Coral Sea would have picked up the crew. This was because the Italians had a highly visible stance against combat aircraft using Italian bases during the Libyan crisis. F-111F #70-2389 was lost during the attack c/s Karma 552 with the loss of two crew.
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
RAF Woodbridge, England
Full Colour
1980's
This patch is an early version of the squadron patch probably dating back to the 1980's.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge with the Giant in Dexter.
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
RAF Woodbridge, England
Full Colour
1980's
This is a patch made with 250 hours embroidered on the patch. The unit operated various aircraft alongside the HH-53's, these being the HH-43, HH-3, HC-130 & UH-1.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge with the giant in Dexter.
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
RAF Woodbridge, England
Full Colour
1980's
This patch was worn by crew while still at NAS Keflavik, Iceland as Det 14 was still assigned to the 67th ARRS. This would be worn in the 1970's when the unit was flying the HH-3E.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge with the Giant in Dexter.
The 67th ARRS also operated HH-1's & this is a superb photo of one of the elusive machines. (Photo courtesy of Michael J. Freer)
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
RAF Woodbridge, England
Full Colour
1980's
This patch dates back to the 1980's & was sold by a patch company called Bill Brooks, who was based in Telford, UK. As the 67th were based in the UK at the time this would make perfect sense to buy patches from a British based company, & Bill Brooks supplied patches to a lot of Squadrons in the UK including the 67th ARRS. This patch was manufactured by Bryant & Tucker which was based in Warwickshire & can be identified as the plastic backing has a slight bumpy texture. At the time of manufacture the 67th were based at RAF Woodbridge operating HH-53's.
This patch could probably tell a a few stories by looking at the condition, & it shows the tell-tale signs of being worn on a flight suit or having hook & loop as it has sewing holes & thread still around the edge of the patch.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge with the giant in Dexter.
A HH-3E from the squadron sits on the ramp at RAF Lakenheath.
(Photo by R. A. Scholefield)
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
RAF Woodbridge, England
Camo Colour
1983-1986
This patch dates back between 1983-1986 as it was made by a crewman who was serving at RAF Woodbridge. This was made by him as a one off as they were transitioning to special operations & using NVG's.
Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge with the giant in Dexter.
67th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron
Full Colour
1970's
This was made c.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.
A HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant is guided into its parking place at RAF Woodbridge.
(USAF Photo)
If you have any additional information about this patch please contact me & I´ll get back to you.
Thanks👣
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