Joint Helicopter Command
| Joint Helicopter Command | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1999 - present |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Allegiance | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Branch | Tri-Service |
| Type | Type command |
| Role | Rotary wing operations |
| Size |
15,000 personnel 239 helicopters |
| Garrison/HQ | Army Headquarters |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Major General Richard Felton CBE |
| Ceremonial chief | Queen Elizabeth II |
15,000 personnel
Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) is a tri-service organisation uniting battlefield military helicopters of the British Armed Forces for command and coordination purposes. Joint Helicopter Command reports to Army Headquarters at Andover.
Joint Helicopter Command was formed on 5 October 1999, from a recommendation in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review to consolidate the battlefield helicopters of the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy under a single command.
Joint Helicopter Command's largest operation to date has been Operation Telic, the invasion of Iraq. Following the invasion, Joint Helicopter Command maintained units in Iraq, in support of British and coalition forces deployed there. Another detachment was also maintained in Afghanistan, as part of Operation Herrick.
As of 2006, Joint Helicopter Command had 243 aircraft available for operations. The majority of the United Kingdom's military helicopters come under JHC, although exceptions include the Royal Navy's fleet helicopters, the Defence Helicopter Flying School, and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force's search and rescue helicopters.
An overview of formations from each service under Joint Helicopter Command:
When deployed on a major operational deployment the aircraft and supporting assets are assigned to a Joint Helicopter Force, for example Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) during Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.
The following types were deployed to Iraq under JHF (I):
The following types were deployed to Afghanistan under JHF (A):
The following types are deployed in Northern Ireland based at JHFS Aldergrove as JHF (NI), in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and military units.
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Wikipedia