USAAF 6th ERS / 5th AAF Flight Jacket Patch

USAAF (U.S Army Air Force) 6th Emergency Rescue Squadron / 5th Army Air Force / Flight Jacket Patch. ¨Quarite et Invenietis¨ Latin for ¨Seek and Find¨. Circa 1943/5

Painted on top-grain leather with almost 10 inches long, the patch shows some minor age, but wear out on the Motto phrase. This was the most ¨hard to find¨ patch ever in my collection.

Photo reference from an actual WWII era jacket

The 6th Emergency Rescue Squadron was assigned to the Fifth Air Force and part of the squadron began operations from Okinawa. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Emergency Rescue Squadrons from the "Greatest American Generation" served during the WWII era. These men and Squadrons served in every Theatre of the War flying slow and lightly armed, OA-10A (PBY-5A) amphibian aircrafts while under constant threat of attack by enemy fighters and ground fire.

B-17H search and rescue variant of the Flying Fortress showing additional radar and rescue boat. This B-17H of the 6th Emergency Rescue Squadron was photographed at Floridablanca Airfield, Luzon, Philippine Islands in June 1945. (U.S. Air Force Photo).

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USAF 302nd ARS Patch

USAF 302nd Air Rescue Squadron Patch - Circa 1956

Another amazing and really big patch from the 50s-60s - Super hard to Find!

The 302nd Rescue Squadron flew HU-16B Albatross aircraft before being transferred to the Air Force Reserve. In 1971 they received HH-34J Choctaw (refurbished SH/UH-34J Seabat) helicopters. The unit transitioned into HH-3E Jolly Green Giants and UH-1H Hueys in 1974.

Lineage:

1956 - 302 Air Rescue Squadron ( 302 ARS ), Air Force Reserve (AFRES) 

1966 - 302 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron ( 302 ARRS ) 

1974 - 302 Special Operations Squadron ( 302 SOS ) 

1987 - 302 Tactical Fighter Squadron ( 302 TFS ) 

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USAF 41st ARS Patch

USAF 41st Air Rescue Squadron Patch

This is an amazing and really big patch from the 50s-60s - Hard to Find

The 41st has flown search and rescue missions from, 1952–1960, 1962–1987, and since 1989. It also recovered high-altitude atmospheric-sampling devices from, 1962–1987. Beginning in Mar 1989, the squadron has provided prelaunch security and safety surveillance of NASA launches and recovery or medical evacuation for Space Shuttle crewmembers.

Lineage:

41st Air Rescue Squadron (1952–1966)

41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (1966–1989)

41st Air Rescue Squadron (1989–1993)

41st Rescue Squadron (1993–Present)

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USAAF 5th ERS / 8th AAF Patch

USAAF 5th ERS Air-Sea Rescue - Emergency Rescue Squadron / 8th  Army Air Force Patch

Super Rare – Hard to find and one of my precious treasures in my collection

As the end of the World War II approached, the 5th ERS (Emergency Rescue Squadron) was scheduled to be re deployed from England to the Pacific. The 5th ERS carried out search and rescue missions from Holton Airfield between January and may 1945, picking up downed allied aircrew from the perilous north sea OA10A Catalina Amphibian, P47 Thunderbolt Spotter Boat carrying B17 flying fortress aircraft were used.

OA-10A Catalina Amphibian Aircraft

The USAAF realised that they needed an Air Sea Rescue capability but they wanted it quickly and knew that it took time to set up a new unit. As a result they formed a informal unit called Detachment B, 65th Fighter Wing which was based here. As they were an informal unit they had to scrounge equipment from other units and so flew Thunderbolts that were past their best and were called "war weary". As a result the first USAAF Air Sea Rescue unit was formed here. They flew their first operation in May 1944 and then moved to Halesworth in January 1945. Their role was that they flew a patrol and then were directed towards aircraft in trouble. They could then either escort them home or, if they had to ditch, drop a dinghy to the crew and direct rescue ships to them. The unit was later formally designated the 5th ERS and were given the crest shown above.

The history of the 5th ERS - the "Shepherd of the Seas"

During WW2, the RAF perfected a very good system of Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) to pick up fighter and bomber crews from the English Channel. This operation relied on aircraft and shipping relaying the position of a crew in the drink back to control stations. Motor boats and Walrus seaplanes from various bases around the coast would then head to the reported position to pick up the men. When the US Army Air Corps came to England they had no such system and, when they started losing crews in the sea, decided to set about forming their own air-sea rescue operation.

With the coming of the invasion imminent, a conference was called on the 8th May 1944 at the Air Ministry between representatives of the RAF, the 8th Air Force, and the 65th Fighter Wing. It was decided that the 65th Fighter Wing would take responsibility for air-sea rescue.

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USAF 38th ARRS / Military Airlift Command Challenge Coin

USAF 38th ARRS / Jolly Green / Military Airlift Command Challenge Coin

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USAF 106th Rescue Wing / NY Air Natl. Guard / CMSAF Challenge Coin

USAF 106th Rescue Wing / New York Air National Guard / Chief Master Sergeant Challenge Coin

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USAF HAAMS / Physiology Technician Patch

USAF HAAMS (High Altitude Airdrop Mission Support) / Physiology Technician 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.

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USAF - AFSOC / MH-53J Super Jolly Green Giant / AN/ALQ-157IRCM Patch

USAF-AFSOC MH-53J (Super Jolly Green Giant) LORAL AN/ALQ-157IRCM - The Ultimate Distraction / Special Operations Forces / Local-made South East Asia / Circa 1990 / Rare Patch.

AN/ALQ-157 is designed to provide protection against IR guided missiles and is being manufactured for use on large troop-carrying helicopters and transport aircraft. For large helicopter applications, two transmitters are installed (one on each side of the sail) for unobstructed protection in azimuth. Transport aircraft applications utilise transmitters mounted on either side of the fuselage. As such, AN/ALQ-157(V) comprises multiple transmitter units, a control power supply, an electromagnetic interference filter assembly and a pilot's control indicator. Functionally, a switch on the control power supply allows in-flight selection of any one of five preprogrammed jamming codes and there is a facility to enable the preprogramming of additional codes as new threats are defined. All the system's operational sequences are microprocessor controlled and the architecture as a whole is configured to ensure 'full-time' protection against threats, easy access to all components and automatic operational readiness testing (using dedicated built-in test circuitry). As of 2005, BAE Systems was promoting an AN/ALQ-157(M) configuration which was described as being a modular equipment, as being effective against 'multiple [and] simultaneous' Bands I, II and III IR threats, as incorporating microprocessor control, as offering jamming code selectability and as being reprogrammable. Most recently, there has been no evidence of AN/ALQ-157(M) production. During the same year, the contractor was also upgrading existing United States Navy (USN) and US Marine Corps (USMC) AN/ALQ-157(V) equipments to AN/ALQ-157A(V)1 configuration.

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USAF 1730th PRS / Subdued Patch

USAF 1730th Pararescue Squadron / Subdued Patch

Circa 1980

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USAF 37th ARRSQ / Det 3 Patch

USAF 37th ARRSQ / Detachment 3 Patch

37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (37th ARRS) was a rescue squadron of the USAF active during the Vietnam War.

On 8 January 1966, the 37th ARRS was activated at Danang Air Base operating 5 HU-16s on loan from the 31st ARRS and the 33rd ARRS and with a Detachment at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. The squadron was responsible for aircrew recovery over North Vietnam, Laos and the Gulf of Tonkin.

On 30 March 1966, 2 HC-130s were delivered to Detachment 1 at Udorn RTAFB. A further 3 HC-130s were delivered to Udorn in June 1966. On 16 January 1967, the squadron's HC-130s at Udorn RTAFB were transferred to the newly-formed 39th ARRS. Also on 16 January Detachment 2, 37th ARRS was designated and organised at Udorn RTAFB operating HH-3s. On 2 February 1967, all 5 HU-16s assigned to the 37th ARRS were transferred to the 33rd ARRS at Naha, Okinawa.

September 1967, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB received its first 2 HH-53Bs. May 1967, Detachment 1 38th ARRS operating HH-3s at Danang Air Base was reassigned to the 37th ARRS. March 1968, Detachment 2 at Udorn RTAFB was transferred to the 40th ARRS.

The 37th ARRS remained at Danang until it was deactivated on 30 November 1972. 5 of its HH-53s were transferred to the 40th ARRS at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, while its two HH-43s remained at Danang as Detachment 7 of the 40th ARRS to provide base rescue during Operation Linebacker II.

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USAF 33rd ARRS / Kings Patch Set

USAF 33rd ARRS / Kings Patch Set

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USAF ARS / HQ. Stan - Eval / Pregnant Angel / Subdued Patch

USAF Air Rescue Service / HQ. Standarization & Evaluation / Pregnant Angel Subdued Patch

Circa 1970

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USAF 38 ARRS / Detachment 14 / Pedro Patch

USAF 38 ARRS / Detachment 14 / Pedro Patch

Vietnam era / Super rare - Hard to find patch!

The Detachment 14 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Circa 1970

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USAF 38th ARRS / Pedro Patch

USAF 38th ARRS / Pedro Patch

Vietnam Era / Super rare - Hard to find patch!

USAF 38th ARRS / Pedro / Detachment 3. Ubon, Thailand Sept. 1970

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USAF TAC Sea Survival School / Life Support Equipment Patch

USAF TAC Sea Survival School / Life Support Equipment Patch

Circa 1960

-¨This patch was worn by many life supporters during the Viet Nam era, including yours truly.  I wore it in the late 1960s while stationed at an ADC base (Perrin AFB, TX) and again in 1971 while stationed on Guam.  This is the patch that most of us remember as it is the one with the raft on the pilot’s right hand side.  The placement of the raft on the right side is viewed by a lot of life supporters as being technically incorrect as they believe the raft should have been on the left side.

The truth is, the raft can be on either side!  That’s because in the 1960s the B-52 and T-38 survival kits (drop in kits) had their deployed raft connected on the right hand side.  I'm not sure about the MD-1 or MB-2 kits, but the ML-4 kit also had its raft on the right side.  How about this, back in the mid to late 1970s the F-15 kit had its drop lanyard on the right side vice in the middle as it is today.  Many other survival kits however, had their raft drop down lanyard on the left hand side!  This includes the F-101, F-102, F-104, F-105, F-106, A-1E, F-4, OV-10, SR-71, and the U-2.   I know this for a fact because as you all know I collect old life support data, and in my collection are several old survival kit technical orders.  Today’s B-52 and T-38 kits have their drop lanyards on the left side as well.  It's strange that no one ever addressed this in our CDCs or the SKT!  Since the early survival kits had the drop lanyard on the right side, I believe the original patch was designed by someone in a B-52 or T-38 unit back in the 1960’s.

The patch below was cleaned up by a good friend of mine in the aerial photography business.  Notice that I had the color of the life raft changed to black and the drop lanyard put on the left side.   I started using this image on our identification badges at the first reunion in 1996.  I also use it in the banner at the top of our newsletters and on this web site.  This image is now widely used throughout the life support community.¨-

Special Thanks to Col (Ret) Bob Fessler and Mr. Bob McElwain for this article. For more info. please visit USAF Aircrew Life Support Retirees 

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USAF TAC Sea Survival School Patch

USAF TAC (Tactical Air Command) - Sea Survival School Patch

PRAEMONITI AC PARATI (Latin for ¨Forwarned & Forearmed¨) 

This is a super rare vintage patch. Hard to find!

In August 1962 the TAC Sea Survival School was started at Langley AFB, VA and Homestead AFB, FL by one Life Support Officer Maj Wayne E. Williams, and six Life Support personnel. For more info, read this interesting article HERE.

Left to Right SSgt Paul Swindell, SMSgt William Leighton, Maj. Wayne Williams, (Student), SSgt James Stanford and TSgt Clarence L. Lewey, all wearing the TAC-SSS insignia on their shirts.

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USAF 39th SOW Challenge Coin

USAF 39th Special Operations Wing / CSAR - Nightwings for Peace Challenge Coin

Consolidated (17 August 1998) with the 39th Special Operations Wing. 

Established as the 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing on 20 October 1969. 

Activated on 1 January 1970. 

Redesignated as 39th Special Operations Wing on 1 March 1988. Inactivated on 1 December 1992

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USAF ARS Award Challenge Coin

USAF Air Rescue Service / Combat Rescue- Aerial Sampling - Missile Site Support - Weather Reconnaissance - Range Support / August 1989 Award Challenge Coin

The Air Rescue Service (ARS) is a disestablished organization in the United States Air Force. Previously a subcommand of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), a USAF major command (MAJCOM). ARS was redesignated as the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS) on 1 Jan 1966 when MATS was redesignated as the Military Airlift Command (MAC). As ARRS, it retained the same subcommand status with MAC.

The Air Rescue Service was initially established in 1946 under the Air Transport Command, just prior to the U.S. Air Force's designation as a separate service in 1947, and it continued to serve the U.S. Air Force proudly as both ARS and ARRS during the Korean War and Vietnam War, as well as during the Cold War. Rescue's worth was proven time and again: 996 combat saves in Korea and 2,780 in Southeast Asia. The crews, both fixed-wing and helicopter, had but one motto: "These things we do that others may live."

ARRS returned to its former name of ARS in 1989 and was disestablished in 1993, following the disestablishment of Military Airlift Command and the dispersal of legacy USAF search and rescue (SAR) forces among the Air Combat Command (ACC), the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), to include those Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air National Guard (ANG) rescue units operationally-gained by these MAJCOMs. The current structure and strength of search and rescue in today's U.S. Air Force is focused primarily on combat search and rescue (CSAR) and Personnel Recovery (PR) and is greatly reduced from the air rescue force structure that served from 1946 through the end of the Vietnam Era.

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USAF 71st ERQS Patch / Operation Northern Watch

USAF 71st ERQS Patch / Operation Northern Watch

The 71st Rescue Squadron (71 RQS) is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It flies HC-130 Hercules aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a U.S. European Command Combined Task Force (CTF) charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq. Its mission began on 1 January 1997.

The coalition partners of the United States, United Kingdom, and Turkey provided approximately 45 aircraft and more than 1,400 personnel to support Operation Northern Watch. The joint U.S. forces of some 1,100 U.S. personnel, included sailors, soldiers, as well as sorties from every arm of the United States Armed Forces.

The original mandate from the Turkish government allowed the operation to continue for six months. Turkey subsequently approved two 6-month extensions, but indicated that it would not become a permanent mission.

For the first year of the mission, northern Iraq was quiet, with no combat between Coalition aircraft and Iraqi forces.

Operation Northern Watch forces did not take part in Operation Desert Fox in December 1998. After Operation Desert Fox, Iraq announced they would no longer recognize the no-fly zones and urged their troops to attack Coalition aircraft. From December 1998 to March 1999, U.S. aircraft over northern Iraq came under almost daily fire from Iraqi surface-to-air missile sites and anti-aircraft guns. U.S. aircraft responded by bombing Iraqi air-defense sites which fired on them, utilizing laser-guided bombs as well as AGM-88 HARM missiles and AGM-130 long range air-to-surface missiles

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CAP / USAF Auxiliary / Air Search & Rescue Patch

CAP - Civil Air Patrol / USAF Auxiliary / Air Search & Rescue Patch

Not a military/USAF agency, but due the enormous apport they made to help and support USAF SAR missions, they deserve to have a place in my collection.

In the late 1930s, more than 150,000 volunteers with a love for aviation argued for an organization to put their planes and flying skills to use in defense of their country.  As a result, the Civil Air Patrol was born one week prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  Thousands of volunteer members answered America's call to national service and sacrifice by accepting and performing critical wartime missions. Assigned to the War Department under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Corps, the contributions of Civil Air Patrol, including logging more than 500,000 flying hours, sinking two enemy submarines, and saving hundreds of crash victims during World War II, are well documented. 

After the war, a thankful nation understood that Civil Air Patrol could continue providing valuable services to both local and national agencies.  On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476 incorporating Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization.  On May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing Civil Air Patrol as the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force.  Three primary mission areas were set forth at that time: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services.

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USAF H-53 Helicopter / Flight Instructor Patch

USAF HH-53 Helicopter (Super Jolly Green Giant) / Flight Instructor Patch

Vietnam Era

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USAF 3rd ARRGP / Pedro / Vietnam Era Patch

USAF 3rd ARRGP / PEDRO / VIETNAM ERA PATCH / RARE!

For the second time in three years, the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, Military Airlift Command, has received the Presidential Unit Citation for rescue and similar operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war.

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USAF 37th ARRS / Da Nang / Jolly Green Patch

USAF 37th ARRS / Vietnam War - Da Nang Province / Jolly Green Patch

Super rare patch - Hard to find / In country made

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USAF 41st ARRS / Rescue SOLL

USAF Rescue SOLL (Rescue Special Operations Low Level / Low Light-Low Flight) - H-53 Helicopter

Possible from the 41st ARRS or 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, McClellan AFB, CA. Super Rare - Hard to find Spec.Ops vintage Patch. Posibble made in the Phillipines Circa 1980.

 

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USAF 38th RQS / Challenge Coin

USAF 38th RQS / ¨Strength and Honor¨ / Commander's Challenge Coin

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JASDF-JGSDF-JMSDF / HS-21 SQD - SH-60J/K SEAHAWK 2011 Rescue Operation Patch

JASDF-JGSDF-JMSDF / HS-21 SQD - SH-60J/K SEAHAWK 2011 Rescue Operation Patch

Rare original brand new patch from Japan Maritime Self Defense No. 21 Squadron (Tateyama Air Base): SH-60J & SH-60K Seahawk helicopter. Radio code name: Back Jack Flight. This is the patch worn by the rescue teams during rescue operations in the japan's Fukushima earthquake of 2011 where also PJ's were assisting operations. Hard to find and very well japanese made patch.

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USAF - IAAFA / SAR Planning Patch

USAF - Inter-American Air Force Academy / Search & Rescue Planning Patch

Howard AFB (Panama), became a focus for military air support, with many surplus USAF aircraft being transferred to Latin American air forces there, as well as the establishment of the IAAFA (Inter-American Air Forces Academy), which provided technical training and education for airmen and officers from approximately 14 Latin American countries.

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USAF 305th ARRS Patch

USAF 305th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron / Original Cold War Era patch

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USAF 33rd ARRS / Kings Patch

USAF 33rd ARRS / Kings Patch

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USAF Pararescue Badge / ACU Patch

USAF Pararescue Badge / ACU Patch

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USAF 130th RQS / Kings Patch

USAF 130th RQS / Kings / That Others May Live Patch

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USAF 48th RQS / Night Riders Patch

USAF 48th RQS / Night Riders Cloth Patch

Original - Possibly Vietnam embroidered

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USAF 129th RQS / HC-130 / DCU Patch

USAF 129th RQS / HC-130 / DCU / ¨That Others May Live¨ Patch

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USAF 37th ARRS / Jolly Green Patch

USAF 37th ARRS / Jolly Green Patch

Vietnam War - In country embroidered

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