Operation Ivory Coast / Son Tay Raider Patch

Operation Ivory Coast / Son Tay Raider Patch

Patch designed by PJ Udo Fischer on November 23, 1970

On November 21, 1970, a force of 56 US commandos led by Col. Arthur 'Bull' Simons raided the Son Tay camp to rescue the estimated 70 to 80 prisoners, supported by 29 USAF aircraft and 92 flight crew on the direct raid and a total of 105 aircraft including supporting roles.

Prior to the raid, all 65 prisoners were moved to another camp about 15 miles away, apparently due to the proximity of the camp to a river thought likely to flood. US intelligence may have identified this the day before the raid, but the raid was sent anyway.

Three commando teams landed at the camp:

1. The first team intentionally crash landed a helicopter right in the middle of the camp to get into position as quickly as possible.
2. The second landed 400 meters away by accident, at what turned out to be the guards headquarters. The team attacked the headquarters and killed an estimated more than 100 guards.
3. The third team landed outside the main complex and assisted in securing the facility.

The raid succeeded completely at its technical objective of seizing control of the camp. There were no prisoners present to rescue, though. 26 minutes after the first helicopter intentionally crash landed, all US commandos were recovered and flying home. One US soldier was wounded in the leg and one broke his ankle in the intentional crash landing. An unknown number of North Vietnamese soldiers were killed in the raid.

The failed mission did bring an ironic success for Simons and his troops. The attempt to rescue prisoners brought the world's attention to the inhumane treatment of the American POWs. The raid on Son Tay altered how the North Vietnamese housed, treated, and interacted with the foreign prisoners.

CMSgt Wayne Fisk (Pararescue) was directly involved in the famed Son Tay POW camp raid and also the rescue of the crew of the SS Mayagüez. When the Mayagüez was hijacked by Cambodian Communist forces in May 1975, Fisk was a member of the assault force that successfully recovered the ship and the entrapped United States Marines. For his actions, he was presented with his second Silver Star. Concluding the Mayagüez mission, he was recognized as the last American serviceman to engage Communist forces in ground combat in Southeast Asia. In 1979, he was the first Air Force enlisted recipient of the US Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Men of America. In 1986, he became the first director of the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall on Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF Combat Rescue Officer / DCU Patch

USAF Combat Rescue Officer / DCU Patch

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you! 

USAF Pararescue / Mustache Rides / Morale Patch

USAF Pararescue / Mustache Rides / Morale Patch

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you! 

USAF Pararescue / Nametag Set

USAF Pararescue / Senior Non-Rated Officer Aircrew Wing / Military Freefall Parachutist / Captain / Nametag Set (Color & DCU) / Korean Made

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you! 

USAF Jolly Green / CSAR / Dept. of the Army Challenge Coin

USAF Jolly Green / CSAR / Department of the Army Challenge Coin

Probably de ugliest challenge coin I saw in my life, but as collector I have to have it.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you! 

USAF Special Operations / Subdued Patch

USAF Special Operations / Subdued Patch

Special Operations, better known in the Air Force as Special Tactics, are broken up into two specific specialties. Combat Control (CCT) and Pararescue (PJ). CCT's are combat ready FAA certified air traffic controllers and PJ's are combat ready rescue & recovery specialists certified as EMT's to the paramedic level. Members of these two career fields are trained in parachuting, scuba diving, repelling, skiing, motorcycling, survival skills and much much more…

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you! 

USAF PARARESCUE / NCO BERET BADGE-FLASH

USAF PARARESCUE / NCO (Non Commisioned Officer) BERET BADGE-FLASH

Worn by PJ´s from the lately 90´s until today by NCO's

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you! 

USAF 919th SOW / Subdued Patch

USAF 919th SOW (Special Operations Wing) / Subdued Patch

The 919th Special Operations Wing (919 SOW) is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) wing of the United States Air Force, operationally-gained by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and based at Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #3 / Duke Field, Florida. From AC-130A Spectre aircraft and training for gunship operations, with close air support as a primary duty, but included ability to perform armed interdiction, reconnaissance, and escort, forward air control and combat search and rescue in conventional or unconventional warfare setting.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 711th SOS / Subdued Patch

USAF 711th SOS (Special Operations Squadron) / Subdued Patch

The 711th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, Florida. It is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit that is operationally-gained by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Close air support of conventional and special operations ground forces became the unit's primary duty, but additional capabilities included the ability to perform armed interdiction, reconnaissance, and escort, forward air control and combat search and rescue in conventional or unconventional warfare settings.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 303rd RQS / Subdued Patch

USAF 303rd RQS / Subdued Patch 

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 304th RQS / Subdued Patch

USAF 304th RQS / Subdued Patch 

The 304th Rescue Squadron was most recently part of the 939th Rescue Wing at Portland International Airport, Oregon. It operated HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 308th RQS / Subdued Patch

USAF 308th RQS / Subdued Patch 

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 301st ARS / Guardian Wings / Subdued Patch

USAF 301st ARS (Air Rescue Squadron) / Guardian Wings / Subdued Patch

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF SOS / Son Tay Raid Patch

USAF SOS (Special Operations Squadron) / Son Tay Raid / Paper Back Patch
KITDFOHS has been seen written on helmets of grunts who don't have clearance to know everything they need to know. Often times they end up dead or wounded for lack of info.

Extremely rare original vintage patch (Theater-made) of the USAF SOS, Son Tay Raid mission during Vietnam War. With the words ¨KITD/FOHS¨ (Kept In The Dark / Fed Only Horse Shit), this is a terrific piece, one the second time I have come across one. This patch, United States Air Force, Special Operations Squadron Patch of units invovled in the Son Tay Prison Rescue raid of 1970. Patch was made after the raid as the mission gained prominence around the world. The patch was a mark of frustration of the individual of the Special Ops. Squadrons involved in the mission who felt they were limited and rip fed information throughout all areas of the preparation and conduct of the raid by MACV-SOG and the CIA.

Tran Ba Thanh

At the time of the raid it was widely believed that intelligence relating to prisoners held at Son Tay was incorrect. It was only after the war that it came to light that, an ARVN Officer, Tran Ba Thanh, on the staff of the Prime Minister of South Vietnam was in fact a General of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN / Viet Cong). Ba Thanh, and the intelligence provided in relation to the proposed raid led to the American Prisioners held at Son Tay to be moved.

At the end of the war, Ba Thanh was awarded Vietnam highest honour, The Gold Star Order. Ba Thanh had been Hanoi's greatest Spy throughout the entire war only leaving the South Vietnam Government Offices hours before the fall of Saigon.

US Special Intelligence were again and again denied access to questioning Ba Thanh, both before and after the raid by the South Vietnam Government.

All US Military personnel who took part in the mission, returned, alive. For the days and weeks after the attack the World Focused on the plight of US POW's in Vietnam and prisoner exchanges commenced soon after.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 41st RQS Patch

USAF 41st RQS (Rescue Squadron) Patch

41st Rescue Squadron

Lineage. Constituted as 41 Air Rescue Squadron on 17 Oct 1952. Activated on 14 Nov 1952. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 18 Mar 1960. Activated on 29 Dec 1961. Organized on 8 Jan 1962. Redesignated as 41 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 Jan 1966. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1987. Activated on 1 Mar 1989. Redesignated: 41 Air Rescue Squadron on 1 Jun 1989; 41 Rescue Squadron on 1 Feb 1993.

Assignments. 4 Air Rescue Group, 14 Nov 1952; Air Rescue and Recovery Service, 8 Dec 1956-18 Mar 1960. Military Air Transport Service, 29 Dec 1961; Air (later, Aerospace) Rescue and Recovery Service, 8 Jan 1962; 39 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing, 1 Jan 1970; 41 Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Sep 1975-30 Sep 1987. 41 Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Mar 1989 (attached to Eastern Space and Missile Center for operational control, 1 Mar 1989-); Air Rescue Service, 1 Aug 1989; 1 Operations Group, 1 Feb 1993; 1 Rescue Group, 14 Jun 1995; 347 Operations (later, 347 Rescue) Group, 1 Apr 1997-.

Stations. Hamilton AFB, CA, 14 Nov 1952-18 Mar 1960. Hamilton AFB, CA, 8 Jan 1962; McClellan AFB, CA, 1 Aug 1973-30 Sep 1987. Patrick AFB, FL, 1 Mar 1989; Moody AFB, GA, 1 Apr 1997-.

Aircraft. SB-17, 1952-c. 1953; C-82, 1952-1953; H-5, 1952-c. 1953; SA-16, 1953-c. 1960; SH-19, c. 1953-c. 1960. SA/HU-16, 1962-1968; SH/HH-19, 1962-1963; HH-43, 1963; HC-130, 1966-1987; CH/HH-53, 1971-1973; HH-3, 1973-1976; HH-53, 1976-1987. HH-3, 1989-1994; HH-60, 1994-.

Operations. Conducted search and rescue to recover personnel and aerospace hardware in support of USAF global air and space operations; conducted numerous humanitarian rescue operations, 1952-1960, 1962-1987; and 1989-. Recovered high-altitude atmospheric-sampling devices, 1962-1987. Deployed aircraft and aircrews to Florida bases during Cuban Missile Crisis, Oct 1962. Beginning in Mar 1989, provided prelaunch security and safety surveillance of NASA launches and recovery or medical evacuation for Space Shuttle crewmembers. Conducted day and night (night vision goggles), low-level combat rescue, air refueling and survivor rescue, 1994-. During 1996-1997 deployed personnel and aircraft to Southwest Asia to provide combat search and rescue (CSAR). In 1999, took part in air operations over Serbia.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. Kosovo: Air Campaign.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Meritorious Unit Award: 1 Jun 2006-31 May 2007. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 22-28 Dec 1955; 1 Apr 1968-31 Mar 1970; 1 Jul 1972-30 Jun 1974; 1 Sep 1975-1 May 1977; 16 Jul 1977-16 Jul 1979; 17 Jul 1979-15 Jun 1981; 1 Apr 1984-31 Mar 1986; 1 Apr 1987-[30 Sep 1987]; 1 Feb 1993-30 Apr 1994; 1 Sep-31 Dec 1999; 1 Jun 2002-31 May 2003; 1 Oct 2003-31 Oct 2004; 1 Nov 2004-31 Jul 2006.

Emblem. Approved on 24 May 1954.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 305th. RQS / Pararescue Challenge Coin

USAF 305th. RQS / Pararescue / ¨Anytime. Anywhere¨ Challenge Coin

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 39th. RQS Patch Set

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 39th. RQS Patch Set (Color and DCU)

39th Rescue Squadron

Lineage. Constituted 39 Air Rescue Squadron on 17 Oct 1952. Activated on 14 Nov 1952. Inactivated on 24 Nov 1957. Redesignated 39 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, and activated, on 16 Jan 1967. Organized on 18 Jan 1967. Inactivated on 30 Apr 1972. Redesignated 39 Air Rescue Squadron on 10 Oct 1990. Activated on 1 Jan 1992. Redesignated 39 Rescue Squadron on 1 Feb 1993. Inactivated on 1 Aug 1994. Activated in the Reserve on 15 Apr 1997.

Assignments. 3 Air Rescue Group, 14 Nov 1952; 2 Air Rescue Group, 18 Jun-24 Nov 1957. 3 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, 18 Jan 1967-30 Apr 1972. Air Rescue Service, 1 Jan 1992; 432 Operations Group, 1 Feb 1993-1 Aug 1994. 920 Rescue Group, 15 Apr 1997-.

Stations. Ashiya AB, Japan, 14 Nov 1952-24 Nov 1957. Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 18 Jan 1967; Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 8 Jun 1967; Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam, 16 Sep 1970-30 Apr 1972. Misawa AB, Japan, 1 Jan 1992-1 Aug 1994. Patrick AFB, FL, 15 Apr 1997-.

Aircraft. SA-16, SC-47, and SH-19, 1952-1957. HC-130, 1967-1972. HH-60, 1992-1994. HC-130, 1997-.

Operations. Search, rescue, and escort missions in Japan and Korea during and following the Korean War. Search, rescue, and recovery missions in Southeast Asia, Jan 1967-Apr 1972; missions included refueling rescue helicopters and performing airborne command, control, and communications functions during combat rescue operations. Search and rescue in and around Japan, 1992-1994. Trained for combat search and rescue, performed search and rescue missions, and refueled rescue helicopters, 1997-.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. Korea: Korea Summer-Fall 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer 1953. Vietnam: Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Distinguished/Presidential Unit Citations: Korea, 1 May-27 Jul 1953; Vietnam, 1 Jul 1967-31 Jan 1969; Vietnam, 1 Feb 1969-30 Apr 1970; Vietnam, 1 May 1970-31 Mar 1972. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Oct 1992-1 Aug 1994; 1 Sep 1997-31 Aug 1999. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [14 Nov 1952]-27 Jul 1953. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 18 Jan 1967-30 Apr 1972.

Emblem. Approved on 12 Mar 1992.

USAF AFSOC / Pararescue - CCT / ¨Mal Ad Os¨ Challenge Coin

USAF AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) Special Tactics / Pararescue - CCT (Combat Control Team)  / ¨Mal Ad Os¨ (Bad in the end) Challenge Coin.

A mint condition example of an original, unofficial old challenge coin for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command / Special Tactics.  The front has the USAF ParaRescue symbol and the back the USAF Combat Control symbol.

The Pararescue U.S.A.F Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Combat Command units tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments.  They are the only members of the Department of Defense specifically organized, trained and equipped to conduct personnel recovery operations (CSAR) in hostile or denied areas as a primary mission.  Also known as "PJs" (Pararescue Jumpers), these special operations units are also used to support NASA missions and have been used to recover astronauts after water landings.  They are attached to other SOF teams from all branches to conduct other operations as appropriate.  

The U.S.A.F. Combat Controllers (CCT) (are ground combat forces specialized in a traditional pathfinder role while having a heavy emphasis on simultaneous air traffic control, fire support and command, control and communications in covert or austere environments.  Assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons, , Combat Controllers are an integral part of U.S.A.F Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).  Combat Controllers are often assigned individually or as a team to Army Special Forces, Ranger and Navy SEAL teams to provide expert air support coordination and communications capabilities.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 255th SOS CCT / ROKAF 259th TASS Challenge Coin

USAF 255th SOS (Special Operations Squadron) CCT (Combat Control Team) / ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air Force) 259th TASS (Tactical Air Support Squadron) Challenge Coin.

This is a very nice and rare challenge coin from the CCT's. Yeah, this is a USAF Rescue collection but it's impossible to forget the great job these guys do and the close relation between the CCT's and PJ's, plus the joint training they receive during their process to become operators in both fields. Great collector’s piece!

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 301st ARS / Guardian Wings Patch

USAF 301st ARS (Air Rescue Squadron) / Guardian Wings Patch

1960's/70's vintage patch. This original period patch is 100% embroidered, US made and is 4" X 3 1/2".

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 79th RQS / Desert Knights / CSAR Challenge Coin

USAF 79th RQS / Desert Knights / CSAR (Combat Search & Rescue) Challenge Coin

Davis-Monthan AB

The 79th Rescue Squadron (79 RQS) operates the HC-130P Hercules and provides rapidly deployable combat search and rescue forces to theater commanders worldwide. It conducts helicopter air refueling, airdrop and airland of pararescue personnel and/or equipment in support of combat personnel recovery. Its crews are capable of landings on short, unimproved, runways and low-level operations during day or night with night vision goggles.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 71st RQS / Kings Patch

USAF 71st RQS (Rescue Squadron) / Moody AFB, Georgia / Kings Patch 

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

USAF 15th PTF - HAAMS / C-130 / Kadena AB, Japan Patch

USAF 15th PTF (Physiological Training Flight) - HAAMS (High Altitude Airdrop Mission Support) / C-130 / Kadena, Okinawa AB; Japan Patch

SOF Aerospace and Operational Physiology Team (AOPT) Mission. 

The primary mission of SOF AOP is to fly in support of High Altitude Airdrop Mission Support (HAAMS) operations, determine employment of the EEHS, enhance human operational performance through analyses of SOF facilities and operations, provide critical aircrew training, and support mishap prevention and investigation efforts.  

Aerospace physiology refers to effects on the human body caused by characteristics of the aerospace environment. This subject includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

 Spatial disorientation and airsickness

 Vestibular system

 Hypoxia (medical)

 Decompression sickness

 Sensory illusions in aviation

 G-forces

The Physiological Training Flight (PTF), In the military environment Aerospace Physiology is required training for all aircrew. USAF aircrew attend initial "Phys Trng" during their aircrew training pipeline. Initial training consists of altitude chamber flights, including a rapid decompression flight, and academic classes. Both PTF and HAAMS are essential to all CCT and Pararescue (PJ) operators, especially during HALO/HAHO insertions.


Also, The Physiological Training Flight on Kadena Air Base offers service members a shot in the dark with its Night Vision Goggle Familiarization course. Historically, the course has only been offered to Airmen, but more recently, instructors at the facility have opened their doors to Marines, sailors and soldiers on Okinawa interested in NVG training.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!

AAF & USAF Crash Rescue Boat Pin Set

Early 40/50’s AAF (Army Air Force) & USAF (US Air Force) Crash Rescue Boat Pin Set (featuring AAF Patch)

These are extremely rare to find original pins from the WWII era. Probably, they’re just a few hanging around out there in other private collections. Absolutely one of the real earliest items in the history of the AAF and then the USAF made for their rescue units and of course one of the few early records in the history of the USAF Rescue military insignia we can find.

AAF (Army Air Force) Crash Rescue Boat Pin

A World War II era US Army Air Force Crash Rescue Boat is shown on this 2.5-inch pin. These boats, similar to in performance to motor torpedo boats, were used for Search & Rescue and were armed with light anti-aircraft guns. A few of the 85-foot boats were later used in the Korean War. The pin has the distinguishing AAF and Air Force wings emblem on the bow. Marked with the L.G. Balfour initials above the letter “S” (Silver).

USAF (US Air Force) Air Sea  Crash Rescue Boat Pin - Gemsco N.Y.

2 1/2 inches across in size.  "USAF" on the bow of the pin.  Maker marked on the reverse side "GEMSCO N.Y.".  Pinback with a roll locking pin catch.  The Air Force used those P.T type boats during WWII to rescue downed pilots in the oceans close to base.  Also used during Korea War, a 63 foot boat built for the Air Force under Navy contract. The aircraft-rescue boats were built by Sasgtad Shipyards.

Got information about this item? Contact me below (comments) with your email address and I´ll get back to you ASAP! Thank you!