Thursday, October 31, 2013

USAF AFSOC / Hurlburt Field, FL Challenge Coin

USAF Air Force Special Operations Command / Hurlburt Field, FL Challenge Coin

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Friday, October 25, 2013

USAF 67th ARRS / Spec.Ops Challenge Coin

USAF 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron / Special Operations / RAF Woodbridge AB, UK / That others may live / HH-53C - HC-130 Combat Rescue Challenge Coin
Serial numbered #1986

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USAF 33rd ARS / Kadena AB Challenge Coin

USAF 33rd Air Rescue Squadron / Kadena AB, Japan / ¨That others may live¨ / Challenge Coin
Circa 1984

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USAF 66th RQS / CSAR Challenge Coin

USAF 66th Rescue Squadron / Combat Rescue / Nellis AFB, NV / March 1st. 1991 Challenge Coin

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USAF 551st SOS Challenge Coin

USAF 551st Special Operations Squadron / ¨The Best teach the rest¨ - ¨Others for show, Pavelow to go¨ Challenge Coin

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USAF Pararescue / Silver Challenge Coin

USAF Pararescue / ¨That others may live¨ / Silver-Pewter Color Challenge Coin
This is one of my favorite challenge coins. If you notice, the Angel's face is actually an skull. Really nice touch and variation of the classic PJ logo.

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USAF 31st SOS / Black Knights Challenge Coin

USAF 31st Special Operations Squadron / Black Knights / ¨Nomads of the Pacific¨ Challenge Coin
Nice coin, Circa 1984

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USAF 718th AMXS / Kadena AB Challenge Coin

USAF 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron / Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan / Jolly Green / Challenge Coin

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

USAF 763rd Maintenance Squadron / CSAR Challenge Coin

USAF AFSOC 763rd Maintenance Squadron / Nellis AFB, NV / Combat Search & Rescue / That others may live /  Quiet Professionals Challenge Coin

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USAF 920th Rescue Wing / Wing Commander Challenge Coin

USAF 920th Rescue Wing / Wing Commander Challenge Coin
Nice coin, serial numbered #753

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USAF Pararescue Patch Set



USAF Pararescue Patch Set
Some different color variations of the classic Pararescue Patch

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USAF 920th Rescue Wing / Chief's Group Challenge Coin

USAF 920th Rescue Wing / Chief's Group Challenge Coin

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

USAF 24th Composite Wing Patch

USAF 24th Composite Wing Patch

The 24th was reactivated on 1 January 1989, as the 24th Composite Wing assuming responsibilities for Howard AFB and Albrook AFS. The wing flew combat sorties in the Invasion of Panama, December 1989 – January 1990. The wing trained foreign and domestic pilots in forward air control. It again flew search and rescue, aeromedical airlift and disaster relief missions in the Latin American region from 1989–1990. Members of the wing deployed to Southwest Asia to provide air liaison support between ground forces and air operations from 1 October 1990 – February 1991. When the 24th Composite Wing inactivated in 1991, its assets were placed under Air Forces in Panama.

The 24th Special Operations Wing (24 SOW) is a United States Air Force active-duty wing that was activated on 12 June 2012. Its headquarters is at Hurlburt Field, Florida and it has component groups located in North Carolina, Georgia and Washington. It is the third special operations wing in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

The 24th SOW is a reactivation of the 24th Wing, previously assigned with the Twelfth Air Force, stationed at Howard Air Force Base, Panama. It was inactivated on 1 November 1999. The inactivation of the 24th Wing and the closure of Howard Air Force Base ended an 82-year United States Air Force presence in Panama, which began with the formation of the 7th Aero Squadron on 29 March 1917.

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USAF 66th RQS / Subdued Patch

USAF 66th Rescue Squadron / Subdued Patch

The 66th Rescue Squadron (66 RQS) is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where it operates HH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft conducting search and rescue and combat search and rescue missions. It is geographically separated unit (GSU) of the 563rd Rescue Group (563 RQG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, which in turn is a GSU of the 23d Wing (23 WG) at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

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USAF ARS Patch

USAF Air Rescue Service / ¨That others may live¨ / Very Old Patch
These patch seems to be one of the earliest patch edition from the ARS. Got it from a well known collector from the UK.

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USAF Spec. Ops. Training Unit / Beret Flash

USAF SPECIAL OPERATIONS TRAINING UNIT BERET BADGE
Possible worn by AFSOC's Spec.Ops instructors at Hurlburt Field, AFB before 1993.
Does anyone know what is that ¨AM¨ on the background of the badge?

This info. is not confirmed, but doing some research with no results, finally came across with the info that looks like this is a Texas A&M ROTC badge.

I had forgotten about this badge. It surfaced last year or the year before. AM is meant to identify training unit as being part of Texas A&M. The special ops training unit does exist there. As I said I never followed through and contacted the ROTC programs for more info.

However it does seem AF ROTC detachments heve incorporated elite Air Force Special Operations preparation teams or clubs as part of their program. Some cadets in some programs are eating it up as making them some sort of mission qualified BTDT member. 

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USAF 303rd ARRSQ Patch

USAF 303rd Air Rescue & Recovery Squadron Patch
This a REALLY old patch from the early days of the 303rd ARRSQ.

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USAF 304th RQS / Bigfoot Challenge Coin

USAF 304th Rescue Squadron / Bigfoot - ¨The search continues¨ Challenge Coin
Really nice coin featuring legendary the shadow of Bigfoot/Sasquatch.

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41st RWRW / Subdued Patch

41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing / ¨Serving Mankind¨ Subdued Patch

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USAF 33rd RQS / Jolly Green / Suit'n Tie Guy Patch

USAF 33rd RQS / Jolly Green / Suit'n Tie Guy Patch
They definitely do the risky business...

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USAF - JASDF Cope Angel 98' / SAREX Patch

USAF - Japan Air Self-Defense Force / Cope Angel 1998 / SAREX Exercise Patch

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USAF 33rd RQS / Det. One / Kadena AB Patch

USAF 33rd Rescue Squadron / Detachment One - Alet Crew / Kadena AB, Japan Patch
This patch is possible made for the 33rd RQS Alert Crew for Osan AB, South Korea

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Monday, October 21, 2013

USAF Pararescue / Bronze / Challenge Coin

USAF Pararescue / Living by the Motto / Bronze / Challenge Coin
Beautiful classic original design coin.

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USAF 1724th STS / PJ - CCT Challenge Coin

USAF 1724th Special Tactics Squadron / Pararescue - Combat Control Team Challenge Coin
One of the most beautiful and hard to find challenge coin of my collection

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USAF 320th STS / PJ - CCT Challenge Coin

USAF 320th Special Tactics Squadron / Pararescue - Combat Control Team / ¨First there, that others may live¨ / Kadena AB, Japan Challenge Coin
Very rare and hard to find coin. Amazing desing!

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USAF 129th RQS / 20th Anniversary Challenge Coin

USAF 129th Rescue Squadron / 20th Anniversary / Kings Challenge Coin
Hard to find coin!

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USAF Team US101 / CSAR Helicopter Challenge Coin

USAF Team US101 / The next Air Force Combat Search & Rescue Helicopter / That others may live - No one left behind Challenge Coin

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USAF 320th STS / PJ - CCT Challenge Coin

USAF 320th Special Tactics Squadron / Pararescue - Combat Control Team / ¨First there, that others may live¨ / Airborne Halo Scuba / Kadena AB, Japan Challenge Coin
Great challenge coin, one of my favorites

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USAF Pararescue / Pave Hawk - C-130 Challenge Coin

USAF Pararescue / ¨These things we do, that others may live¨ / Pave Hawk - C-130 Challenge Coin

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USAF Pararescue / Living by the Motto Challenge Coin

USAF Pararescue / Living by the Motto Challenge Coin
This is probably the first ever PJ challenge coin. One great piece of history Circa 1971/1982.

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Pedro 66 Memorial Pendant

In Memory of Pedro 66 / ¨Haec ago ut ali vivant¨ / ¨That Others May Live¨ / ¨Valete et plaudite¨ Memorial Pendant

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USAF 320th STS / Pink Team / Kadena AB Challenge Coin

USAF 320th Special Tactics Squadron / Pink Team ¨We can do¨ / Kadena AB, Japan Challenge Coin

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

USAF AFSOC HQ / Stan-Eval Challenge Coin

USAF Air Force Special Operations Command Headquarters / Standarization-Evaluation / ¨Dog Tag¨ Style Challenge Coin.

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Saturday, October 19, 2013

USAF Pararescue / IR / Multicam Patch

USAF Pararescue / IR Reflective / Multicam Patch

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USAF Water Survival School Patch

USAF Water Survival School / ¨Per Scientiam Vincimus¨ (By Knowledge we win) Patch
This is a very old patch Circa 1956/62, possible operating in Langley AFB, VA or Homestead AFB, FL with the TAC Sea Survival School.

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USAF 55th ARRS / Jolly Green Patch

USAF 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron / Jolly Green Patch

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USAF Pararescue / Unofficial Black Patch Set




USAF Pararescue / Unofficial Black Patch Set
This is a nice unofficial variation of the PJ ¨That others may live¨ patch set.

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USAF 306th RQS Patch Set






















USAF 306th Rescue Squadron / ¨That others may live¨ / Full color & subdued patch Set

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News: Air Force Veteran recognized for designing Rescue Service Emblem


A local man was honored today for designing the Air Rescue Service Emblem, in 1952.  

William Steffens is an Air Force veteran from Petoskey that in 1952 entered a design contest to create the emblem for the Rescue Service, which is now known as the United States Air Force Pararescue.

This is his design, an angel with its arms wrapped around the world. When he won, he was never recognized.  

In February, Congressman Dan Benishek wrote to the Air Force on Steffens' behalf to get the recognition he deserved. William says it was great to see such a big turnout at Thursday's ceremony, he says you never realize how much people appreciate all you've done for the country.

The PJpararescue Collectors Blog want to also recognize Mr. Steffens for both his service to the nation and contribuition to USAF Rescue heritage. 

Northern Michigan's News Leader

Thursday, October 17, 2013

USAF 41st RQS / Archer Comic / Cheryl Bawk-Bawk Morale Patch

USAF 41st RQS / Archer Comic / Cheryl Bawk-Bawk Morale Patch
This is a rare patch featuring cartoon character ¨Cheryl¨ from the Archer Animated Comedy series from FX channel. 

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, FL, 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.


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USAF 33rd RQS / Jolly Ladies / Okinawa Patch Set

USAF 33rd RQS / Jolly Ladies / Okinawa, Japan Patch Set
This is a very rare set that have no info about it at all, but yeah, it's definetly RARE! If someone speaks japanese, would be great to know what is stated in the patches.

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USAF 33rd. ERQS / Sri Lanka 2006 / CSAR Patch

Extremely rare patch set from the 33rd. ERQS. Worn during 2005 during operations for a Tsunami relief in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka was one of the countries struck by the tsunami resulting from the Indian Ocean earthquake on December 26, 2004. On January 3, 2005, Sri Lankan authorities reported 30.196 confirmed deaths. Many of the dead were adults and the elderly. The south and east coasts were worst hit. One and a half million people were displaced from their homes. The death toll continued to rise as the threat of infectious diseases breaking out turned into a reality, with doctors confirming first cases of cholera. The 33rd ERQS participated in humanitarian relief and rescue operations in that mission.

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USAF SERE Beret Flash

USAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape School  Beret Flash

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USAF SERE / Tan Color Patch

USAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape School / Tan Color Patch

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