USAF 21st Special Operations Squadron / Dust Devils / Rescued By Patch
These great rare and original patch was given to a downed airmen rescued by the squadron's CH-3s and CH-53s operating from Nakhon Phanom at SEA. Thai made. Circa 1971.
The 21st SOS traces its lineage to the 21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). In 1970 the squadron began operating the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion. In September 1970, the 21st Special Operations Squadron flew eleven CH-3E helicopters and one new CH-53 helicopter, which arrived at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base on 8 August. The squadron referred to the large CH-53 as "BUFF," for "big, ugly, fat fellow," and this designation should not be confused with a similar nickname given to B-52 bombers.
A HH-53 helicopter of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron as seen from the gunner's position in a helicopter of the 21st Special Operations Squadron in Vietnam, October 1972
The 21st SOS was responsible for hundreds of missions during the Vietnam conflict including personnel recovery and combat rescue. On 13 May 1975, Knife 13 CH-53 BuNo 68-10933 departed from Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base with a crew of five and eighteen USAF Security Police on board to assist in the recovery operation of the SS Mayaguez. The helicopter disappeared from the airfield's departure radar 40 miles (64 km) west of the airfield. All on board were killed.
USAF 21st SOS / Dust Devils 1971/72'
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My Father was in this Squadron, and also the finest man I have ever had the privileged to have ever ever known....There will never be a finer father like Captain David H. Shetter......Never be forgotten Pops!!!
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