USAF / 33d RQS / HH-60G / Jolly Green Giant

The 33rd has been active for a long time as a Rescue Squadron so have quite a few patches made over the time. They were changed from an ARS (which was the same acronym for an Air Refuelling Squadron) to RQS. Its not really known who thought up RQS as most crews don't quite know what the Q stands for. They have even officially changed the colour of them now, so with the green & white patches are, subdued, black & now the official OCP colour. Even the OCP colours are different!

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

1990's

After being an Air Rescue Squadron, the unit became a Rescue Squadron, which was abbreviated to RQS by most Squadrons. This however is the only 1990’s version I have seen with RQS patch used by the Squadron. The 33^rd became the 33d Rescue Squadron in Feb 1993 & has been this designation since then & still at Kadena AB, Okinawa. It may be a HH-3 patch but could also be a HH-60 patch as they came in early 1990’s. A very high-quality finish to the patch & has lots of attention paid to it when manufactured.

Manufactured by Tiger Embroidery & is partially embroidered on twill with a fabric backing, merrowed edge with a loose pigtail, with the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Woodland Subdued Colour

1990's

This is the only subdued version I have seen with 33RD RQS in the top scroll instead of 33RD RESCUE. Manufactured in Korea & made for when the Squadron operated HH-60G’s from Kadena AB.

Partly embroidered on twill with a gauze (cheesecloth) backing, a schiffli cut edge, with the Giant in Dexter.

Below is the same patch with the top tab cut off, I can only assume the person wearing it wanted to wear the subdued Jolly Green Giant patch when they transferred to another Squadron.

Air refuelling probe extended to clear the rotors, the pilots skill certainly comes in when in close formation with the HC-130.

(USAF Photo by A1C Cory M. Pettis)

33d Rescue Squadron

Commander Patch

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

1990/2000's

This dates to around late 1990 to early 2000's, so is a HH-60G patch, at Kadena AB, Okinawa. Very difficult to find as it has an additional top scroll with COMMANDER on & suspect only a few were made, as there’s only normally one boss.

Manufactured by Tiger Embroidery & is partially embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, with the Giant in Dexter.

A Pavehawk eases towards the refuelling basket somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

(USAF Photo/SSgt. Rachelle Coleman)

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

1990/2000's

This is a odd variation of the Squadrons patch, the main difference is that it’s embroidered on a felt type of material which is very unusual. Used when the Squadron was operating the 

HH-60G from Kadena AB, Japan.

This is Korean made, partly embroidered on felt with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter. 

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010

 This is a Korean manufactured patch, made c.2010 & can be obtained from Flightline Insignia. 

Partly embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, backed with hook & loop & the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2017

This has a more sage green tint to the colour, and was manufactured in Korea during c.2017 & can be found at Flightline .

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge, backed with hook & loop with the giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010

Korean made c.2010 & a patch made for when the Squadron operated HH-60G’s from Kadena AB.

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge, with the Giant in Dexter.

 

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2020

This was manufactured in Korea c.2020.

It’s embroidered on what can best be described as Italian nylon cordura. Made for when the Squadron operated HH-60G’s from Kadena AB.

Partly embroidered on nylon cordura material with a schiffli cut edge, with the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010-present

(USAF Photo/SSgt. Benjamin Sutton)

This patch was made by Tiger embroidery c. 2010 & you can see why the Squadron has them made there, as they produce patches that are absolutely top quality. There patches have been widely used by the Squadron. This is the one worn up to 2022 & is preferred to be worn over the older 33RD RESCUE patch. The picture of one being worn by a crewman is took during Operation TOMODACHI.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

c.2010

(USAF Photo)

This patch was manufactured c.2010 at Tiger Embroidery, Okinawa & has been worn by the Squadron until the RD was dropped. Its seen above being worn in 2010 & I've also seen pictures of them being worn by crew in Operation TOMODACHI in 2011.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

IP Patch

Kadena AB, Japan

Full Colour

2022

This is a Tiger Embroidery patch, however it has an additional dark green backing which shows its a patch issued to IP's (Instructor Pilots) on the Squadron. This allows any new inexperienced crew, who want to ask questions about aspects of the rescue mission, find the crew that will be able to answer their questions easier. Its a simple & cheaper answer than making a new patch, as I've seen some that have specific black merrowed edges manufactured for the same purpose. A huge thanks to Chris who sent me the picture with the explanation.

A 33d Pavehawk being loaded onto a C-5 for a deployment.

(USAF Photo by TSgt. Jeffrey Clonkey)

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Woodland Subdued Colour

c.2000's

This is a Korean made subdued patch from the normally very colourful 33rd RQS.

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge with the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Woodland Subdued Colour

c.2000's

This patch was manufactured by Tiger Embroidery, and a tell tale sign is that the patch has 33D rather than 33rd. Obtained off Flightline Insignia & it can still be bought from them, just hit the Flightline Insignia link and it will take you straight to the patch. This version was manufactured c.2010.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter. 

A crewman assists the crew taxiing into the hardstand after a training mission.

(USAF Photo)

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Desert Subdued

c.2010

This a Tiger Embroidery manufactured patch from c.2010. Made for HH-60G operations when the Squadron deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, however, is very difficult to identify which theatre or year. There’s a variety of desert subdued patches this variant having the giant embroidery with two variations of green. It’s a sand version that has 33d instead of 33rd which is a Tiger Embroidery design as the giant is embroidered very well. This was obtained via collector in 2021, who obtained this from a crewman at Kadena. 

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Desert Subdued

c.2010

This patch is a generic sand version of their patch.

Fully embroidered with a merrowed edge with hook & loop backing, & the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Desert Subdued

c.2010

This patch was made for the deployments the Squadron made c.2010 for operations in Afghanistan & Iraq.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter. You can see the patch still being worn in Sep 2023 at Kadena. (USAF Photo by SnA Sebastian Romawac)

Four members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron here were named the 2009 MacKay Trophy winners.
Capt. Robert Rosebrough, 1st Lt. Lucas Will, Master Sgt. Dustin Thomas and Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott, the crew of an HH-60G Pavehawk CSAR helicopter "Pedro 16", have been recognized for their efforts saving the crew of a downed Air Force aircraft and three Soldiers in Afghanistan.
The MacKay Trophy dates back to 1912 and is awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association for the most meritorious flight of the year. The award comes on the heels of the Kadena-based crew being honoured by the Jolly Green Association for the most outstanding rescue mission of the year.
The crew of "Pedro 16" and "Pedro 15" came under enemy fire July 29, 2009 during a medical evacuation mission as part of the 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. Three Soldiers had been wounded near FOB Frontenac when their convoy was hit with an IED. During the recovery operation, the crew of "Pedro 15" was downed and the "Pedro 16" crew, along with Army OH-58 Kiowas crews, helped return the wounded Soldiers and downed aircrew back to safety.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Desert Subdued

c.2010

 This patch is another variation of the sand coloured sand patch, and was manufactured in Korea.

Partly embroidered on twill with a schiffli cut edge, backed with hook & loop with the giant in Dexter. This version is available at Flightline Insignia. 

 

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

Desert Subdued

c.2019

(USAF Photo by SSgt Benjamin Sutton)

Another variation of the sand coloured patch manufactured in Korea. c 2019. This version is available at Flightline Insignia.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 33rd Rescue Squadron sits on the taxiway, July 23, 2019, on Kadena Air Base, Japan. The HH-60G Pave Hawk’s core mission is recovery of personnel under hostile conditions, including combat search and rescue. 

(USAF photo/A1C Matthew Seefeldt)

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

BDU Subdued Colour

2019

This patch was made during 2019 and is the first patch made by the Squadron in the new OCP colours with the patch being manufactured in Korea.

Fully embroidered with a merrowed edge with the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

OCP Subdued Colour

2020

This is the second version of the 33rd RQS jolly green giant patch. This version was made c. 2020 while based at Osan.

Fully embroidered with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Kadena AB, Japan

OCP Subdued Colour

c.2019

(USAF Photo)

This is the latest version of the 33rd RQS jolly green giant patch. This version was manufactured by Tiger Embroidery and was made c. May 2019. The top  photograph of the crewman wearing the patch was taken in 2024 and the bottom one taken dueing Feb 2020.

Fully embroidered with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter.

A couple of Pavehawks taxi at dusk for a night mission.

(USAF Photo by SSgt Joshua Kleinholz)

33d Rescue Squadron

Friday Night

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

c.2010

The 33rd have a couple of black patches, this having green lettering the other having black lettering. Made c. 2010 in Japan by Tiger Embroidery.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge backed with hook & loop, & the Giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Friday Night

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

c.2010

This patch was manufactured by Tiger Embroidery from Okinawa c.2010. A variation with all of the JOLLY GREEN in black thread.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop with the giant in Dexter.

33d Rescue Squadron

Friday Night

Kadena AB, Japan

Black Colour

spring/winter 2021

Seen being worn in 2021.

These patches are the same just with different threads. The patch on the left was made in the spring of 2021 & at the time was the new Friday night patch used by the Squadron. This was obtained from the Squadron & a huge thanks for Chris for helping me. This was made by Tiger Embroidery who are located in Okinawa & supply the Squadron with patches.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter.

The patch on the right was made in the winter of 2021 & at the time was the new Friday night patch used by the Squadron. This is different to the one supplied by the Squadron as the green thread that's is used is a lot brighter. I'm not sure if this was a planned change, but it just goes to show that variations can happen in a very short space of time. This was made by Tiger Embroidery who are located in Okinawa & supply the Squadron with patches.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter.

A HH-60G sits outside the Squadron hanger waiting for it crew.

(USAF Photo by A1C Quay Drawdy)

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👣