Rescue Patches

Hosted by PJs in Vietnam
Last Update: Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Site Mission:
Provide Pararescue
and
Air Rescue History

Air Rescue and Pararescue Patches
1941 thru 2008

Click on the thumbnail for full size patch

Pre Air Rescue Service Activation & WWII

WWII Emergency Rescue Boat Squadrons Pin 2.5" long

ARS Patches 1952 thru 1966

Western Air Rescue Center

31 ARS

33 ARS

41 ARS

58 ARS

58 ARS was assigned to Wheelus AB, Tripoli, Libya. The Army Air Corps began using the base (then called Mellaha AB) in WWII. In 1945, the AAC renamed the base Wheelus AB. It became an AFB with the birth of our AF in 1947. SAR aircraft were HC-97's, HH-43's, SH-19's and TDY
HU-16s. Information and patch provided by Bob Zontini who was a PJ in the 58th.

In 1969, Libya's king was overthrown by Muamar Khadafy who ordered the USAF to vacate the base. That occurred in June 1970.

58 ARRS circa 1966

Tripoli Trotter 1966

Click the Tripoli Trotter thumbnail to get a full size image that you can read and save. This patch and news article provided by Les (Robbie Robbins) SMSgt USAF retired who was a radio operator on the HU-16, HC-54, HC-97 and HC-130

301 ARS

304 ARS

This patch was used between 29 May 1946 and
5 January 1966 when ARS was renamed ARRS

This sticker adorns many rear
windshields of former ARS/ARRS
and present RQS personnel

This patch was used between
6 January 1966 and 1988
when ARRS was redesignated RQS

History of the ARS/ARRS patch

Vietnam War Rescue Patches

Vietnam HH-43 Pedro Patch

HH-43 Logo

USAF Rescue Pedro SEA

Pedro 100 Combat SARs

Pedro Combat Rescue

Pedro 500 Combat SARs

HH-3 and HH-53 Logo

37th ARRS HH-3 JG patch
photo provided by Ken Bowman

Jolly Green sticker. These were pasted in appropriate and inappropriate places all
around the world

37th ARRS HH-53 Buff
JG patch. Unit was assigned to
DaNang AB RVN

40th ARRS HH-53 Buff JG patch

Unit was activated at Udorn RTAFB September 1967 with HH-3s. Later the HH-53 arrived. The H-3s were nicknamed "Nitnoy." The HH-53's were nicknamed "Buff." The 40th moved to NKP RTAFB in July 1971 where it unit remained until 1975. The 40th moved to Korat RTAFB in late 1975 where the unit was deactivated in January 1976

40th ARRS Pararescue
section sign at NKP RTAFB
IN 19714

Det 1 40 ARRS card. This HH-3 squadron
moved to NKP in 1967 when the HH-53's
arrived in Thailand. They were passed out to
survivors who were rescued.

40th ARRS sign emplaced on the NKP
flight line where all planes taking off could see it.

The callsign "Crown" was first used by HU-16's. When the HC-130's arrived in SEA, they began using the "Crown" callsign.

Patch provided by William J. Stailey who was an electrician on the HC-130 from 1968 thru 1970

39th ARRS HU-130's assigned to Tuyhoa AB, RVN. Patch provided by Dave Burgess. His dad was assigned to the 39th

Redesignated 39th ARRS and Activated January 16, 1967 at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand absorbing the assets of DET-1, 37th ARRS(5 or 6 HC-130s). Organized January 18, 1967. 39th ARRS transferred to Tuy Hoa AB, Vietnam, RVN June 8, 1967. Squadron had C-130P Command and Control/Air Refueling aircraft at Tuy Hoa. 39th ARRS with 11 x HC-130P transferred to Cam Ranh AB September 16, 1970. 39th ARRS transferred to Korat RTAFB, Thailand in March 1972. 39th ARRS inactivated and assets to Det 4, 3rd ARRG April 1, 1972

HC-130 "King" patch.
"King" replaced the callsign "Crown" effective
June 1, 1969.

This unofficial patch was designed by the 31st ARRS HC-130 unit which deployed to Vietnam in 1972 to support air rescue during the Easter Offensive.

This unofficial patch was designed by the 31st ARRS HC-130 unit which deployed to Vietnam in 1972 to support air rescue during the Easter Offensive. Patch provided by Dave Burgess. His dad was assigned to the 39th

40th ARRS Battle Damaged
Qualified Patch.

37th ARRS Battle Damaged
Qualified Patch.

Yankee Air Pirate patch. Used on party suits to make fun of the North Vietnamese who were fond of calling all flight crews "Yankee Air Pirates." Patch provided by Dave Burgess. His dad was assigned to the 39th

A-1 Sandy patch.

A-1 Spad patch

20 TASS was an OV-10 forward
air controller squadron assigned
to DaNang AB RVN

Jack was the callsign for the RCC located first at Udorn RTAFB, and later at NKP RTAFB

Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club patch.
Worn on many Jolly Green party suits.

Son Tay Raider Patch

ARRS Patches

31ARRS was assigned to
Clark AB, Philippines