USAF / 33d RQS / Part 2 / Full History / Jolly Green Giant

 

There are various elements to the patch that are used. Firstly the Crown represents the 

HC-130 Combat King that was used by the Squadron. The second is the Jolly Green foot on the landing pad (represented by the Maltese cross) & the third element is the seagull cresting a wave & highlight the significance of the Rescue Coordination Centre a triad, which make up the Squadron at Kadena. Thanks to Tom Green Sr for the help with the elements of their patch.

"33rd ERQS-probably the best Rescue Squadron in the World."

This is the second part of the Squadrons history & starts in 1989.

Combat Shadows to AFSOC

The 33d ARRS was redesignated as the 33d Air Rescue Squadron on June 1, 1989, and was subsequently reassigned to the Air Rescue Service on August 1, 1989. In the same year, the Squadron's HC-130P aircraft were transferred to the 17th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), which was established at Kadena on August 1, 1989. Consequently, the 33d Squadron, in its current state, transitioned into a rotary wing Squadron, solely operating the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters.

This patch was only used for a very short time as the 33d Air Rescue Squadron was only active between Jun 1989 & Feb 1993. It’s the only regular Squadron patch I’ve seen & they didn’t use colour versions. Used by crews that operated the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant from Kadena AB, Okinawa. Embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, backed with black hook & loop with the Giant in Dexter.

Following the transfer of helicopters and Rescue Squadrons to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), General Cassidy, the commander of the Military Airlift Command (MAC), pledged to rectify the loss of USAF CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) capabilities resulting from this transition. Initially, he undertook a reorganization of air rescue operations by separating the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service from AFOC, which fell under the jurisdiction of the 23d Air Force. As a part of this initiative, the ARRS was reinstated as the Air Rescue Service on August 8, 1989, at McClellan Air Force Base. With the 23d Air Force focusing on Special Operations, General Cassidy assumed full responsibility for USAF CSAR operations.

Furthermore, he actively advocated for the procurement program for the HH-60G, an initiative aimed at replacing the aging HH-3E helicopters that had been in service since the Vietnam era. Alongside these efforts, General Cassidy issued a new Air Rescue Service mission statement on July 2, 1990, firmly establishing the Service's commitment to the CSAR mission.

"From 1987 to 1991 the 33th ARS was the only squadron that had all enlisted leaders in  the Maintenance arena.  Also, we had an ORI that resulted in zero discrepancies being discovered. It is something that I have always been proud of for all the young enlisted men & women of the 33ARS".- Grady Griffin.

Detachments
The 33d had four detachments, however the accurate details of all of them are very difficult to find. A huge thank you to the guys who have helped me out, but if anyone can help with other details, I'd really appreciate it.

Detachment 1 was activated on the 1 July 1971 at Clark AB, Philippines flying HH-43B/F's. Around 1972 the det was reassigned to the 41st ARRW until c.1977 when the 33d gained control again operating HH-3E's. It was then deactivated in 1980 as it had a poor IG performance so the Det became the 38th RQS.

In the early 1990's the 33d were tasked to provided TDY aircraft to Osan & Misawa covering CSAR in Korea.

The 1994 crash of Jolly 04 was a huge blow for the TDY & 33d RQS, which led to restrictions on certain flying operations in Korea, nearly ending the USAF CSAR in Korea totally! As long as they could make a non-tactical night time water pickup the 7th Air Force was satisfied. In the summer of 1995 a recovery plan was drawn up by a crewman & with the huge support of the 18th Wg/OG led to the formation of Det 1 again. If it wasn't for the crewman, the plan & support of the 18th Wg/OG, rescue in PACAF may not have survived.

The Det was formed from the closure of the 38th RQF at Osan with the personnel & helicopters transferring to the Det. The 38th had been a 7 man party "caretaker" unit set up to provide bed down for two TDY Pavehawks & associated aircrew & maintenance from the 33d at Kadena. Det 1 of the 33d RQS was activated at or on the 1 January 1996, but deactivated again in 2008. On the 11 October 2018 INDOPACOM TASKORD establishes the Det at Osan manned with 3 HH-60 aircraft, 2 HH-60 formations, command staff, and a 6-man Guardian Angel (GA) element for 24/7 alert response. On the 10 September 2019 the 18th WG/CC approves personnel reduction from 2 HH-60 formations to 1 HH-60 formation and a 6-man GA element to a 3-man GA element. Further reductions took place on the 1 October 2019 detachment postured with 2 HH-60 aircraft, one HH-60 formation, command staff, and a 3-man GA element. On the 15 May 2021 the Det was fully redeployed & the Det was closed.

Detachment 1 dates are very difficult to find, but this dates from the very early 1970’s (1971) when Detachment 1 was formed at Clark AB, Philippines. This makes it a HH-3E era patch. This role was taken over by the 41st ARRW Detachment 1 c. 1972 so it’s a very short-lived patch as an ARRS unit. This is defiantly Far East made as the embroidery is typical of the period & area.

Embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, with the Giant in Dexter.

A couple of patches from more recent times at Osan operating HH-60G's.

Detachment 2 was activated at Kusan AB, Korea on the 1 July 1971 flying HH-43B/F's. Around 1972 the det was reassigned to the 41st ARRW until c.1977 when the 33d gained control again operating HH-3E's. Around 1994 the det moved to Misawa AB, Japan with HH-60G's.
Detachment 9 was activated at Osan AB on the 1 July 1971 with HH-43's. In 1972 the detachment became det 13.
Detachment 13 was activated in 1972 at Osan AB. It operated HH-3's in the 1970's & was redesignated at det 1 at Osan in the 1980's, with the 31st RQS taking over the role.

This patch dates back to 1979 and is a detachment set up at Osan AB, South Korea by the 33d ARRS, who sent a helicopter and crew (9 crew at the time the patches were made) from its home base of Kadena. The sprout was used as the Squadron thought this was a little detachment, so didn't want to use the Jolly Green Giant, but the smaller sprout. This is the first of a batch of sprout design patches that were made and is THE original (see history of the sprout here). All of the patches have been individually made in Korea, so none of them are the same, all are unique.

Embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge, & is smaller than the normal shield patch.

This patch dates back to the 1970/80's when they operated a Detachment of HH-3's from Osan AB. The exact dates are not known when the detachment was active, but Detachment 13 was redesignated as Detachment 1 in the 1980's.

Embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge, & the giant in Dexter.

Operation Desert Storm

Desert Storm came at about the worst time possible for the USAF's Air Rescue Service, as just about all of the USAF Rescue Squadrons, were transitioning (or planning) from the elderly HH-3's to the more modern HH-60 Pavehawk. This transition brought inevitable unavailability.

It also brought another couple of problems, as the HH-3's  weren't full combat capable & the MH-60G's were 'owned' by AFSOC, not a Air Rescue asset.

The elderly HH-3's that the Air Rescue Service inherited from the USAF in their trade for the HH-53's, were becoming a huge headache. You had trained CSAR crews using HH-3's that really wouldn't survive in a modern CSAR environment, especially with what air defences that the Iraqi Army possessed. To tackle this problem the HH-3's from the 71st SOS had new equipment hastily bolted & even taped into the aircraft just to give them a chance. These modifications were performed within days so the Squadron could be transported to the combat theatre.

However, the 71st SOS from Davis-Monthan AFB deployed along with the 55th SOS & its MH-60's, which were still designated MH-60's from its recent days being assigned to AFSOC. 

The 33d did have four HH-3's ready at Kadena, but didn't send any, as there were problems transporting them to the theatre. Its not known if any of these aircraft had received the same hastily upgrades that the 71st SOS machines had. Like I said earlier it did have CSAR qualified crews so it sent  a crew, comprising of a Pilot, Co-pilot, Flight Engineer (FE) & a couple of Pararescuemen (PJ). As the crew were qualified on the HH-3 they supported the 71st SOS who were deployed to King Fahd Airport Saudi Arabia. This deployment lasted from the 12 January 1991 to c. March 1992.

This patch was made during 1991, for Operation DESERT STORM, & is typical in design for a patch made in theatre, this one being manufactured in Saudi Arabia. It may not have sent any aircraft but where crew go they'll always make patches to show off who they belong to. Strangely Korean embroiders with experience in hand made patches were used to make these patches at Saudi embroidery shops, the patches having a theatre made feel with Korean handmade quality.

The patch has an additional scroll on the top with DESERT STORM & is embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge & the giant in Dexter.

Here are a couple of photos of HH-3's deployed for Desert Storm. They wore a desert camouflage, that consisted of brown and sand colours. The pictures show a PJ fast roping from a HH-3 and one waiting to take off from King Fahd. The HH-3 was given the nickname as the 'Pave Pig'.

(USAF Photos)

PAVEing the way

The 33d Air Rescue Squadron was redesignated as the 33d Rescue Squadron on the 1 February 1993 & was reassigned to the 18th Operations Group. The same year the Squadron had the first arrival of the HH-60G, which would replace the ageing HH-3E's, which were finally retired in 1994.

In 1981, the USAF chose the UH-60A Black Hawk to replace the HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters. After acquiring some UH-60's, the Air Force began upgrading each with an extendable in-flight refuelling probe & additional fuel tanks in the cabin. It also changed its armament from 7.62mm M60's to .50 calibre XM218's. These newly modified helicopters were referred to as the UH-60A "Credible Hawks" & entered the service in 1987 with the 55th SOS.

The UH-60A Credible Hawk differs visually from the HH-60 as its missing the large radar on the nose. (US National Archives)

The Squadron was redesignated 33d Rescue Squadron (RQS) and was reassigned to 18th Operations Group on 1 February 1993. 33d RQS began transition to HH-60G Pave Hawk special operations and CSAR helicopters in 1993 with its last HH-3E retired in 1994.

The transition to the Pavehawk had a few issues, mainly around the supply of spare parts as it was a new helicopter & the remote location from the Sikorsky factory. The PJ's weren't impressed either as the HH-3 has a huge cargo hold compared to the fairly cramp & low ceiling HH-60. I suspect the maintenance guys weren't too upset as they had a new helicopter plus it was very accessible without ladders & platforms for the much larger Jolly Green.

The video below give you a highly detailed walkaround the HH-60G that's used by the 33d RQS today, & is well worth watching.

Modern era

The 33d disbanded its Pararescue personnel upon the activation of the 31st Rescue Squadron who took over the role & were assigned to the 18th OG on 31 July 2003.

The Squadron deployed elements to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 & with its maintenance units the 33d AMU & the 718th AMXS, along with PJ's from the 31st RQS. The following year it commenced rotational deployments to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom as the 33d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron.

Operation Unified Assistance & Probably the BEST....

On the 26 December 2004 an an under sea megathrust earthquake of a 9.3 magnitude occurred in the Indian Ocean off Indonesia.

The resulting 30m tsunami killed an estimated 227,898 people across 14 countries making it one of the most deadliest natural disasters in history.

The 33d RQS deployed six HH-60G's to the Island of Sri Lanka to assist the local population that was devastated by the tsunami. As it was a TDY the unit that went became the 33d ERQS due to it rapid deployment & temporary time frame. The deployment ran from early January to the 20 January 2005.

This is a framed picture presented by the ex CC & is on the wall at the 33d RQS at Kadena. It was made with duct tape & put up on a wall at Katunayake Air Base in Sri Lanka, where the HH-60's operated from. Judging by the inscription the Commander doesn't think they are probably the best!

(Photo courtesy of the 33d RQS CO)

"Probably the best...." is a slogan from the Carlsberg brewing company from Denmark, & they supply beer all across Sri Lanka. This is why the Squadron came up with the design of the patch from that deployment & uses the brewing companies design styling to make the patch.

Squadron Pavehawks sit at Katunayake AFB on Jan 11. More than 18,000 U.S military personnel provided humanitarian assistance in Southwest Asia. 

(USAF Photo/Val Gempis)

This is a narrative from a 33d crewman who went to Sri Lanka.

"The unit went to Sri Lanka in January 05 for humanitarian assistance after the big tsunami with 6 helicopters. After about 10 days of this surge they started working days off into the schedule rotation. In the previous 10 days, things were too busy for exploring. After some time, some of the guys hired tuk-tuk drivers to drive them around the sites of Colombo (the capital). The crew asked them to take them to a traditional Sri Lankan restaurant to get a real local lunch. They obliged. The only beer they served there was Carlsberg. You’ll find an elephant (and we found elephants while we were flying in Sri Lanka) and a little quote that says “Carlsberg-probably the best beer in the world”. So after the 8 of them enjoyed some Carlsberg they started saying “33rd ERQS-probably the best rescue squadron in the world”. The next day, the commander was going to be escorting the USMC 2 star in charge of the entire humanitarian mission around the Indian Ocean basin around the squadron. A certain Jolly pilot was bored, so got a roll of duct tape and starting making that wall art “33rd ERQS-probably the best rescue squadron in the world."
A few weeks after their return, this Jolly pilot went back to their Detachment in Korea for alert and went to one of the local patch shops and designed up the elephant patch with the Carlsberg font and a pen-tab patch that just said “PROBABLY”. The rest we’ll say, is history."

Crew prepare to load a HH-60G onto a C-5 Galaxy after the support efforts in Sri Lanka. (USAF photo/MSgt. Val Gempis)

Verne Orr Award

In 2009 the 33d Rescue Squadron was named the 2009 Verne Orr Award winner.

Established by the Air Force Association in honour of Verne Orr, a former secretary of the Air Force, the award is presented annually and highlights any unit, regardless of size, that excelled above all others in using its people to achieve the unit's full potential and accomplish the mission.

"It's an annual award presented by the Air Force that honours a unit for the best use of their resources," said Lt. Col. Sean Choquette, the 33d RQS commander. "In other words, taking what limited people, what limited physical resources, equipment and such that you have and applying them towards the mission and accomplishing the mission. For us, that's combat search and rescue."

According to Colonel Choquette, the driving force behind them winning the award is the squadron's ability to provide combat capability at home station while supporting the war in the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

"This is not my award. This belongs to every man and woman in the squadron," he said. "Everything that we have done this year is due to the hard work of all the Airmen, NCOs and officers, the guys who step up every day as leaders and make it happen. They go out and they make decisions that can save or lose lives and they do it well because they're so well trained."

The 65-person squadron, which is comprised of aircrew, flight engineers, aerial gunners & support personnel, is divided into two flights that split and leap-frog their six-month deployments to ensure their personnel are staying fresh and sharp.

During the award time period, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, the 33rd RQS flew more than 2,500 hours in 10 aircraft, logging more than 700 combat hours in 362 combat missions. They saved 130 U.S. & coalition lives, and supported classified missions that directly led to the capture, wounding, or death of 23 enemy personnel, all under enemy fire & with no coalition deaths.

Over the year, the squadron deployed twice to Afghanistan, participated in a Red Flag exercise in Alaska, and deployed to South Korea to train the South Korean air force to conduct CSAR missions.

"We can support pretty much anything we're asked to do," Colonel Choquette said, "from medical evacuations to combat missions transporting Navy SEALs or special operations. We're armed. We can defend ourselves and we can defend the guy on the ground if we need to. We're the only guys in the military that do actual CSAR. The Army doesn't do it. The Navy doesn't do it. The Marines don't do it."

Capt. Thad Ronnau, an HH-60G co-pilot in the 33rd RQS who has flown in Afghanistan, Alaska and South Korea, explained that 33rd RQS Airmen train for all types of terrain & added that all are unique experiences.

"There was very valuable training to be had in Korea, whether it was the strange weather that comes off the mountains that you don't get here, the overwater flight, or the desert, low-illumination stuff that we do over there with bad weather," he said. "Then, in Alaska, we did more mountain flying similar to what you'd see in Afghanistan."

Tech. Sgt. John Durbin, the 33rd RQS' A-Flight chief, said every mission is demanding, whether it's here or deployed and that even with low manning and a high operations tempo everyone in the squadron supports the mission.

"Our people want to get out there & do this job," the sergeant said. "Everybody is willing, ready, & able to get up there and do it. And we couldn't do what we do without having that kind of mentality -- that kind of commitment to doing this mission -- because everybody really takes it to heart & really believes in what we do as a unit."

2009 MacKay Trophy & Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year

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 & Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott, the crew of an HH-60G Pavehawk combat search and rescue helicopter "Pedro 16", have been recognized for their efforts saving the crew of a downed Air Force aircraft & 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 ERQS at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. Three Soldiers had been wounded near Forward Operating Base Frontenac when their convoy was hit with an IED. During the recovery operation, the crew of "Pedro 15" was downed & the "Pedro 16" crew, along with Army OH-58 Kiowas crews, helped return the wounded Soldiers & downed aircrew back to safety.

"It could have been any crew in our place that day, and they would have performed the same," Captain Rosebrough said. "(The honour's) are a testament to the Air Force rescue community as a whole." (USAF 18th Wing Public Affairs)

The 33d RQS crew of "Pedro 16" poses in July 2009, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Pictured are Capt Robert Rosebrough (middle standing), 1st Lt. Lucas Will  (right standing) MSgt. Dustin Thomas (far left standing) & SSgt. Tim Philpott  (right kneeling). (USAF Photo)

The Pedro patch was used for when the Squadron was TDY as this is a 33r ERQS patch.

Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year 2010

The Squadron was awarded the Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year in 2010 & this short video gives a small insight why.

Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year 2011

Capt. Koa Bailey & MSgt. Roger Sparks, a combat rescue officer & a pararescue man from the Alaska Air National Guard's 212th RQS, rushed to triage casualties strewn across a nearby ravine as bullets pierced through the air.

"You could feel the concussion from the RPGs while we sat in the hover," said SSgt. Brandon Hill, a FE with the 33d RQS. "The whole time we were being shot at."

U.S. forces on the ground & in the air immediately returned fire, covering the two-man team as they moved to attend the wounded & dying.

As the two landed, Sgt. Hill exhaled, relieved.

"Once the Js (jumpers) got on the ground & I saw them moving, I knew everything would be alright," he said.

Sgt. Hill & the Airmen of the 33d RQS remember that day in Afghanistan as being one of the more beautiful; a sunny afternoon with clear blue skies and uncharacteristically warm weather for mid-November mountains.

Fatigued & worn from the demands of a high-ops tempo, the crews of HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue flights Pedro 83 & 84 prepared for another day on the job, lacing up their boots, grabbing a bite to eat, checking equipment and waiting for the call.

They received that call on 14 November 2010. It marked the third day of Operation Bulldog Bite, a joint-bilateral effort set in motion to eliminate al Qaeda & Taliban insurgents in Kunar Province's Watapur Valley. Units on the ground met with persistent opposition from enemy fighters during search & cordon missions.

'They were expecting a lot of resistance," said Capt. Gabriel Brown, the downrange operations director for the deployed unit. "The Kunar Valley has several outlets to Pakistan. It's very common for foreign fighters to come through those valleys, especially during the summer & fall months when they're not closed due to snow. This was their one last push before winter."

The 33d RQS Airmen had been tasked to provide medical & casualty evacuation, (CASEVAC), support for ground operations while deployed to Afghanistan. Capt. Brown said he can recall the unsettling feeling he had the day his team was called to assist Soldiers in Alpha Company of the Army's 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

"I had a gut feeling it was going to come to us," he said.

His instinct led him to pre-emptively ensure he & his men were ready and cleared to fly within a moment's notice, a precaution that paid off when they received the CASEVAC call from Alpha Company.

Within minutes of receiving the call for two wounded soldiers, Capt. Marcus Maris, the flight lead and pilot for Pedro 83, & his team launched both helicopters, establishing on-scene overwatch of the battlefield. Despite their rapid response, intensified RPG and machine gun fire, interlocking enemy fields & a steep rocky terrain forced Alpha Company into a defensive position, leading to a total of 11 casualties.

Unrelenting enemy fire coupled with Alpha Company's depleting ammunition & increasing casualties made establishing a clear landing zone and protective cover for CASEVAC nearly impossible. The rescue mission quickly became a dangerous race against the clock.

"We knew, based on the situation & the severity of the injuries, if we waited any longer, the risk of more U.S. casualties expiring would increase exponentially," Capt. Maris said. "We devised a game plan and committed."

The two aircrews stood up a risky but offensive position that allowed them to suppress enemy aggression while lowering Capt. Bailey and Sgt. Sparks to assess the situation on the ground & set up a small triage area. TSgt. Mike Welles, an aerial gunner for Pedro 84, remembers the moment enemy forces focused their attention on the rescue teams.

"I remember looking at (Pedro 83) in the hover & looking at their gunner engaging," he said. "I could see a three-foot flame of discontent coming out of his gun. I followed where the rounds were going & could tell they were under our aircraft.  As soon as you can hear your .50-cal on the other side of the aircraft go off, it's a good feeling."

For the next two hours, Pedro 83 rotated through to a forward refuel & armament point, dropping water and ammunition pouches to the remaining Alpha Company soldiers. By the end of the fight, both teams had resupplied the remaining soldiers, completed multiple pararescue insertions and patient extractions, saving the lives of seven wounded soldiers & sending home with honour the remains of four heroes who passed away that day.

"The people we're going to pick up, fellow Americans, are what it's all about," said Capt. Thomas Stengl, the co-pilot for Pedro 84. "At the end of the day, we will do whatever it takes to bring them home."

The four-hour struggle between Taliban insurgents, the Soldiers of Alpha Company, & the rescue crews of Pedro 83 & 84 is remembered as one of the deadliest incidents of Operation Bulldog Bite. Even so, it played a pivotal role in a lethal blow to insurgent activity along the Pakistan border, leading to the seizure of several weapons caches.

Maj. Gen. John Campbell, 101st Airborne Division commanding general, reported more than 50 enemy fighters were killed throughout the operation, the bulk of which occurred Nov. 14.

For their heroism & valiant efforts, members of the 33d RQS are being recognized with the Jolly Green Association Rescue Mission of the Year Award. The award is presented by an association composed of active and veteran "Jolly Green" members, members who have flown in or have otherwise supported "Jolly Green" rescue operations. The award recognizes the most outstanding/courageous rescue mission of the year.

This marks the third year in a row that this rescue squadron has claimed the award

The award & the mission it recognizes hold significant meaning for the rescue squadron.

"It's a testament to the men and women of the 33d," Sergeant Welles said. "Everyday you know you're walking the halls with heroes."

"It's a great honour anytime your peers & those who came before you recognize you for your efforts," Captain Maris added. "There's no mission more noble, saving one of your brothers & sisters in arms, removing them from harm's way, & bringing them the care they need for them to go home, to fight another day, to live another day." (USAF 18th Wing Public Affairs).

All of the crew received the Air Force Cross for the mission.

The 33d & 83d worked together at Bagram as the 83d was a guardian angel unit & the 33d flying the HH-60G.

A HH-60G takes off on a night time mission from Bagram. 

(USAF Photo/Senior Airman Kayla Newnan)

Operation Tomodachi

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck east of Japan on March 11, 2011, led to catastrophic consequences, including the collapse of cities, a massive tsunami that ravaged the coastline, and damage to a nuclear power plant. The earthquake was so significant that it even caused a shift in the Earth's axis by approximately 10-25 centimetres. This event stands as the most powerful earthquake in Japanese history, and the resulting tsunami was particularly devastating, reaching up to 4 miles inland with only a brief 10-minute warning for some citizens. The disaster resulted in a tragic toll, with 19,747 fatalities, 6,242 people injured, and 2,556 individuals reported missing.

The wave struck land only 25 to 36 minutes after the earthquake & was absolutely horrifying for everyone who witnessed it.

The Squadron deployed five helicopters & 26 staff on the  evening of 11 March 2011, with the Pavehawks arriving at Yokota AB the following day. They operated from here until the 4 April.

“It was a combined effort, we are a maintenance unit along with our brothers & sisters at the Rescue Squadron. It really opened my eyes to the impact of what we do with our allies and how we take care of each other.” - Capt. Tracy Jenne, 33rd HMU.

Flying out with the 33d were members of the 31st RQS, who deployed eleven pararescuemen, two Combat Rescue Officers and one Search, Evasion, Resistance, & Escape Specialist as well as a communications specialist. As the commendation to MSgt. James A. Ray says below, the helicopters were available for missions 2 hours after arriving at Yokota. The 33d RQS “Jolly Green” crews flew most sorties consisting of daily disaster relief missions, & assistance by bringing food, water, & medical supplies to displaced Japanese citizens. 

MSgt. James A. Ray Air Force Commendation Medal was given for the tremendous role he performed as the 33d RQS Production Superintendent.

(Photo courtesy of MSgt. J. A. Ray)

Although the Rescue Squadrons did record a save during the operation, the missions quickly changed from SAR to reconnaissance of the devastated areas. From the 13 through the 15 of March, members of the 31st RQS, 33d RQS, and 320th STS conducted missions specifically designed with the intent to survey airfields & locate possible forward area refuelling points (FARP). Airfields within the hardest hit areas became of utmost importance in order to create an airhead for oncoming humanitarian aid and relief supplies.

Airmen prepare their HH-60 for take-off here March 20. The Squadron successfully transported supplies to displaced people in Kessenuma City which experienced massive destruction from the earthquake & tsunami in north-eastern Japan.

(USAF Photo/2nd Lt. Christopher Love)

In less than a month the Squadron flew 55 missions & it was officially quoted that it accumulated 88 flight hours, however this was actually 309.5 hours, delivering 3,000lbs of air to over 10,000 people with one save. It also flew 18 air sampling missions which aided the Department of Energy experts to try to determine the severity of the radiation leak from the Fukashima Diachi nuclear power plant, & track the cloud of radioactive particles that had been released.

Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander, welcomes home members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron as they returned home from mainland Japan.

(USAF Photo /Senior Airman Sara Csurilla)

I don't think the world was ready for 2020 but this is when these patches were made, & are a take on the classic F-15 swirl. Made as a Friday night patch by the Squadron. These don't have any visible direct link to the 33d, however these were originally made by the Squadron & could be worn by any HH-60G crew from any Squadron.

Another set of COVID patches again not specific to any Squadron but made initially by the 33d RQS. A complete set of COVID patches made 2020/21 & obtained directly from the Squadron.

A normal day!

In contrast to fighter or bomber units, a Rescue Squadron's normal day involves not just training for specific conflicts but actively engaging in everyday rescue operations, setting them apart from other USAF Squadrons. While high-profile events often garner significant public attention, it's the routine, day-to-day activities that truly define the dedication and valour of the men and women within the Squadron. Each individual rescue, regardless of scale, holds deep significance not only for the rescuers themselves but also for the families involved. The 33d Rescue Squadron, like many others, remains steadfast in its commitment to these everyday acts of heroism.

For instance, on May 26, 2020, HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron swiftly responded to a medical evacuation request from the USS New Orleans in the East China Sea. Working alongside pararescue specialists from the 31st Rescue Squadron, the 33rd RQS successfully administered life-saving treatment to a US service member and safely transported them to the US Naval Hospital Okinawa, where the member could recover. This example highlights the ongoing dedication and crucial role played by these rescue units in saving lives on a daily basis.

This patch was made in 2022 at Osan AB. KYUJO means RESCUE in Japanese.

First HH-60G retires

The HH-60G helicopters, are starting to reach the end of their service life, are gradually approaching retirement as their operational hours near completion. The first HH-60G from the 33d Squadron, with the serial number 91-26401 'ZZ', concluded its final flight on June 22, 2021. Over the course of 28 years, this aircraft had served dutifully. However, rather than being sent to the scrapyard, it has been designated for use as a ground instructional training airframe with the 18th Maintenance Training Flight. This repurposing ensures that the aircraft's legacy continues, contributing to the training and education of future aviation maintenance professionals.

#91-26401 being prepared for its last flight prior to its retirement.

(USAF Photo/A1C Anna Nolte)

Platinum Jubilee

2022 marked the Squadron's 70th anniversary & to mark the occasion they had a very special patch made which depicted all of the aircraft it has flown since 1952.

The anniversary patch depicts all of the aircraft they have flown, starting at the top clockwise, SA-16, 

HH-19, SC-47, HH-43, SC-54, HH-3, HC-130, HH-53 & in the centre the current aircraft the HH-60G.

That's it so far, there's more to come from the 33d & I'll be here to capture their history for everyone to enjoy & to celebrate long into the future.

A huge thanks to them all, who are at the tip of the spear every day.

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force personnel assist as a 33d Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter approaches the JS Kunisaki in support of Remote Island Disaster Exercise 2021, in the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 2, 2021. This was the first time a 33d RQS HH-60G landed on a JMSDF vessel. The exercise enhances U.S. and Japan Forces bilateral capabilities for casualty rescue operations during times when humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are needed. (USAF photo/A1C Stephen Pulter)

During January 2024 the Squadron received two new HH-60W Jolly Green II that were previously flown by the 55th RQS at Davis-Monthan. Their arrival brought a new chapter to the 33d RQS.

USAF Airmen with the 33rd HMU and 718th AMU offload a pair of HH-60W Jolly Green II's (c/n 21-14513 and 21-14517) at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2024. The HH-60W is designed for mission critical operations to include personnel recovery, humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuation, and non-combatant evacuations. (USAF photo/A1C Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

This is one of the first HH-60W patches that the squadron had made, CRH meaning Combat Rescue Helicopter, with Type-1 Training being the first phase of the conversion from the G to W.

I couldn't have done any of this without the help from the following, so a huge thanks to;

MSgt. James Ray (33d RQS '08-'13), Mark Bracich (33d RQS), John R. Atkins, Mandy Huchinson, Grady Griffin (33d ARS), Gabe Brown '08-'12 & '17-'21 (33d RQS) & Lt. Col. Chris Obranovich (33d RQS CC).

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👣