Joint Aviation Command

File:JHC Army Wildcat and troops.jpg Wildcat AH1 conducts under slung load training with 6 Regiment personnel ]]

Over the years, the grouping of all battlefield support helicopters operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Army Air Corps (AAC) and Royal Air Force (RAF) into one of the services had been discussed, however the Ministry of Defence (MOD) believed that any advantages would be outweighed by the damaging impact such a re-organisation would have on ethos, morale and operational effectiveness.{{Sfn|Ministry of Defence|1998|p=200}}

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published by the MOD in July 1998, announced that a Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) would be formed, which would deliver training, standards, doctrinal development and support for operations in order to maximise the availability of battlefield helicopters and reinforce their growing importance in military operations. JHC would be a tri-Service organisation, with personnel remaining part of their parent service.{{Sfn|Ministry of Defence|1998|p=281}} The formation of JHC was considered by the MOD as one of the most important initiatives to result from the SDR.{{Sfn|Ministry of Defence|1998|p=282}} The command was expected to draw on the equipment, personnel and expertise of the single services and be charged with providing the Joint Force Commander tailored packages of battlefield helicopters (from one or more service), support equipment and personnel, to meet operational requirements. The MOD's intention was to provide a single focus for the transfer of best practice from service to service and for removing, over time, differences in extant operating procedures.{{Sfn|Ministry of Defence|1998|p=200}}

A Joint Helicopter Command Study Team was established to determine how JHC should operate. Four options for the location of JHC Headquarters were also examined, with RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, AAC Netheravon in Wiltshire, HQ Land Command at Erskine Barracks in Wiltshire and RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, being considered for the role.{{Sfn|Ministry of Defence|1998|p=281}}

File:JHC Chinook.jpg delivers Wolf Scout Land Rovers on the Salisbury Plain Training Area|left]]

Joint Helicopter Command was formed on 5 October 1999, bringing together the FAA's commando helicopters, the Army's attack and light utility helicopters, and the RAF's support helicopters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/rnraf-support-helicopter-programmesmerge-57122/|title=RN/RAF support helicopter programmes merge|date=13 October 1999|website=Flight Global|publisher=Reed Business Information Limited|language=en-GB|access-date=21 April 2019}} The FAA's anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning helicopters, and FAA and RAF search and rescue helicopters were not included in JHC and remained under the control of the respective services.{{Sfn|Ministry of Defence|1998|p=281}} JHC Headquarters was established alongside HQ Land Command at Erskine Barracks, with Air-Vice Marshal David Niven being the inaugural commander.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/JointHelicopterCommandHeadquarters.htm|title=Joint Helicopter Command Headquarters|website=Ministry of Defence|language=en|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070305133427/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/JointHelicopterCommandHeadquarters.htm|archive-date=5 March 2007|url-status=live|access-date=21 April 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/history-of-aviation-timeline/interactive-aviation-timeline/british-military-aviation/1999.aspx|title=British Military Aviation in 1999|website=RAF Museum|access-date=21 April 2019}}

In 2007, JHC had over 15,000 personnel under its command, some 8,000 of who were part of 16 Air Assault Brigade This included over 900 volunteer reserves from the Territorial Army and Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and 380 MOD civilians.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/JointHelicopterCommandjhc.htm|title=Joint Helicopter Command (JHC)|website=Ministry of Defence|language=en|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070305112356/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/JointHelicopterCommandjhc.htm|archive-date=5 March 2007|url-status=live|access-date=21 April 2019}}

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.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2jgAwAAQBAJ&q=%22Commando+Helicopter+Force%22+Al+Faw&pg=PT130|title=Air War Iraq|first=Tim |last=Ripley|publisher=Pen & Sword|year=2004|isbn=978-1844150694}} Another detachment was also maintained in Afghanistan, as part of Operation Herrick.{{cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2016/02/21/rare-insight-into-royal-navy-chf/|title=Rare insight into the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force|date=21 February 2016}}

In 2024, Joint Helicopter Command evolved into Joint Aviation Command with the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicle operations into the command.{{cite web |date=15 May 2024 |title=New Joint Aviation Command brings helicopters and drone systems under one roof |url=https://www.forces.net/technology/aircraft/new-joint-aviation-command-brings-crewed-and-uncrewed-systems-under-one-roof |access-date=16 May 2024 |publisher=Forces.net}}

The JHC operation in Northern Ireland in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and military units as part of Operation Banner and later Operation Helvetic was named the Joint Helicopter Force Northern Ireland (JHF(NI)). JHF(NI) consisted of the following units based at Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove:{{cite web |title=Operation BANNER – Joint Helicopter Force Northern Ireland (JHF(NI)) |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Templates/RoleHubContentPage.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7b7EE3C4FE-EC2F-408A-9901-27B0A174F5C5%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fDefenceInternet%2fAboutDefence%2fWhatWeDo%2fAirSafetyandAviation%2fJHC%2fNorthernIreland%2ehtm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest |website=Ministry of Defence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060817175110/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Templates/RoleHubContentPage.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7b7EE3C4FE-EC2F-408A-9901-27B0A174F5C5%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fDefenceInternet%2fAboutDefence%2fWhatWeDo%2fAirSafetyandAviation%2fJHC%2fNorthernIreland%2ehtm&NRCACHEHINT=Guest |archive-date=17 August 2006|url-status=dead}}

• 5 Regiment{{Cite web|title=Joint Helicopter Command|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/joint-helicopter-command/|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Army Air Corps|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-air-corps/|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-21}}
• No. 655 Squadron – Westland Lynx AH1
• No. 665 Squadron – Gazelle AH1
• Reconnaissance, Intelligence and Geographic Centre (Northern Ireland)
• No. 230 Squadron – Westland Puma HC1

The JHC operation in Iraq as part of Operation Telic was named Joint Helicopter Force Iraq (JHF(I)).{{cite web |title=Operation TELIC – Joint Helicopter Force Iraq (JHF(I)) |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/Iraq.htm |website=Minister of Defence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060817083402/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/Iraq.htm |archive-date=17 August 2006 |url-status=dead}}

The following aircraft types served with JHF(I):

File:JHC Puma 2 from RAF Benson.jpg based at RAF Benson]]

• Boeing Chinook HC2{{cite web|url=http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-2-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|title=Operation Telic 2|publisher=Operation Telic|access-date=21 October 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221648/http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-2-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• Westland Sea King HC4
• Westland Lynx AH7 and AH9{{cite web|url=http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-9-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|title=Operation Telic 9|publisher=Operation Telic|access-date=21 October 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924061023/http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-9-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• Westland Gazelle AH1
• Westland Puma HC1{{cite web|url=http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-3-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|title=Operation Telic 3|publisher=Operation Telic|access-date=21 October 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924061020/http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-3-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• Westland Merlin HC3{{cite web|url=http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-6-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|title=Operation Telic 6|publisher=Operation Telic|access-date=21 October 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924061021/http://www.operationtelic.co.uk/order-of-battle/Operation-Telic-6-Order-%20of-Battle.pdf|url-status=dead}}

The JHC operation in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick was named Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan (JHF(A)){{cite web |title=Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan (JHF(A)) |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/Afghanistan.htm |website=Ministry of Defence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070411192127/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/AirSafetyandAviation/JHC/Afghanistan.htm |archive-date=11 April 2007}} "Task Force Jaguar".{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205391805|title= WAR STORY: STUDIES OF CAMP BASTION AND MAIN OPERATING BASE LASHKAR GAH DURING OPERATION HERRICK XVI, AUGUST 2012|publisher=IWM|access-date=14 August 2021}}

The following aircraft types served with JHF(A):

File:Apache firing rockets.jpg helicopter firing rockets in Afghanistan]]

• AgustaWestland Apache AH1{{sfn|March|2008|p=8}}
• Boeing Chinook HC2{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/currentoperations/herrick-afghanistan.cfm|title=Operation HERRICK, Afghanistan.|publisher=Royal Air Force|access-date=21 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626215202/https://www.raf.mod.uk/currentoperations/herrick-afghanistan.cfm|archive-date=26 June 2017|url-status=dead}}
• Westland Lynx AH7, AH9 and AH9A{{sfn|March|2008|p=8}}
• Westland Merlin HC3
• Westland Puma HC1
• Westland Sea King HC4+ and ASaC7{{sfn|March|2008|p=8}}

JAC is part of Army Headquarters and has its headquarters at the British Army's Marlborough Lines, Andover in Hampshire.{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/april/04/170404-new-co-yeovilton|title=A New Commanding Officer at the helm|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=30 December 2017}}

Formations from each service under Joint Aviation Command include:{{Cite book|title=The Armed Forces of the United Kingdom 2014–2015|last=Heyman|first=Charles|publisher=Pen & Sword Books Ltd.|year=2013|isbn=978-178346351-0|location=Barnsley|pages=179–180}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/support-and-training/commando-helicopter-force-headquarters|title=Commando Helicopter Force|website=Royal Navy|language=en|access-date=21 April 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-benson/|title=RAF Benson|website=Royal Air Force|language=en-gb|access-date=21 April 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-odiham/|title=RAF Odiham|website=Royal Air Force|language=en-gb|access-date=21 April 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Harry |date=2024-05-15 |title=New Joint Aviation Command brings helicopters and drone systems under one roof |url=https://www.forcesnews.com/technology/aircraft/new-joint-aviation-command-brings-crewed-and-uncrewed-systems-under-one-roof |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=www.forcesnews.com |language=en}}

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Army Air Corps

• Army Aviation Centre (AACen) (Middle Wallop)
• 2 (Training) Regiment – Ground crew training
• No. 668 (Training) Squadron
• No. 676 Squadron
• 7 (Training) Regiment – Flight crew training
• No. 670 Squadron (RAF Shawbury)
• No. 671 Squadron
• No. 673 Squadron – Boeing AH-64E Apache
• 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team{{cite news |author= |title=The Eagle Spring 2020 edition |url=http://www.theeagleonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WattishamEagleSpring2020web.pdf |work=The Eagle |location=Wattisham |date=1 April 2020 |access-date=2 May 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901103453/http://www.theeagleonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WattishamEagleSpring2020web.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Ripley |first=Tim |date=6 April 2020 |title=UK forms aviation brigade |url=https://www.janes.com/article/95356/uk-forms-aviation-brigade |work=IHS Janes |access-date=2 May 2020 }}{{cite news |author= |title=Army establishes its 1st Aviation Brigade |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/05/army-aviation-brigade/ |work=British Army |date=5 May 2020 |access-date=6 May 2020 }}
• 1 Regiment (RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron))
• No. 652 Squadron – AgustaWestland Wildcat AH1
• No. 659 Squadron – Wildcat AH1
• No. 661 Squadron – Wildcat AH1
• 3 Regiment (Wattisham Flying Station)
• No. 653 Squadron – Boeing AH-64E Apache
• No. 662 Squadron – AH-64E Apache
• No. 663 Squadron – AH-64E Apache
• 4 Regiment (Wattisham Flying Station)
• No. 656 Squadron – AH-64E Apache
• No. 664 Squadron – AH-64E Apache
• 5 Regiment (Middle Wallop Flying Station)
• No. 665 Squadron
• 6 Regiment (Middle Wallop Flying Station)
• No. 675 (The Rifles) Squadron
• No. 677 (Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry) Squadron
• No. 679 (The Duke of Connaught's) Squadron
• 7 Aviation Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) (Wattisham Flying Station)

Royal Artillery

• 47th Regiment Royal Artillery (Horne Barracks, Larkhill)
• 10 (Assaye) Battery – Thales Watchkeeper WK450
• 31 (Headquarters) Battery
• 43 Battery (Lloyd's Company) – Watchkeeper WK450
• 74 Battery (The Battle Axe Company) – Watchkeeper WK450
• 57 Battery (Bhurtpore) - Watchkeeper WK450
• 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery (Roberts Barracks, Larkhill)
• 46 (Talavera) Headquarters Battery
• 18 (Quebec 1759) Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems
• 21 (Gibraltar 1779–83) Air Assault Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems
• 22 (Gibraltar 1779–83) Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems
• 42 (Alem Hamza) Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems{{Col-break}}

Fleet Air Arm

• Commando Helicopter Force (RNAS Yeovilton)
• 845 Naval Air Squadron – Merlin HC4
• 846 Naval Air Squadron – Merlin HC4/4A
• 847 Naval Air Squadron – Wildcat AH1

• Support Helicopter Force
• No. 7 Squadron (RAF Odiham) – Chinook
• No. 18 Squadron (RAF Odiham) – Chinook
• No. 22 Squadron (JAC Operational Evaluation Unit) (RAF Benson){{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/22-squadron-re-forms-at-raf-benson/?fbclid=IwAR0YDdxKn3KMUGHnU5xUaU6WUiEF5cPV-M9TvPYm0gPxW1lQgr1qt9-Ve88 |title=22 Squadron Re-Forms At RAF Benson |author= |date=14 May 2020 |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=15 May 2020 }}
• No. 27 Squadron (RAF Odiham) – Chinook
• No. 28 Squadron (Operational Conversion Unit) (RAF Benson) – Chinook HC4
• No. 33 Squadron (RAF Benson) –
• No. 230 Squadron (Medicina Lines, British Forces Brunei) –
• Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (RAF Benson)
• Tactical Supply Wing RAF (MOD Stafford)

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File:JHC Merlin Mk3.jpg Merlin HC3 on exercise with Royal Marines in northern Norway]]The organisation is commanded by a two-star officer from either the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Ministry%20of%20Defence%20Senior%20Posts.pdf |title=Senior tri-service and Ministry of Defence Posts |access-date=1 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033054/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Ministry%20of%20Defence%20Senior%20Posts.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2015 }} Commander Joint Helicopter Command has been held by:

• 1999 – 2002 Air Vice-Marshal David Niven
• 2002 – 2005 Air Vice-Marshal Paul Luker
• 2005 – 2008 Major General Gary Coward
• 2008 – 2011 Rear Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt
• 2011 – 2014 Air Vice-Marshal Carl Dixon
• 2014 – 2017 Major General Richard Felton
• 2017 – 2020 Rear Admiral Jonathan Pentreath
• 2020 – 2023 Air Vice-Marshal Nigel Colman{{London Gazette |issue= 64188|date= 3 October 2023|page= 19709|supp= y}}
• 2023 – present Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith

• List of Royal Air Force commands

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=March |first1=P |title=The Royal Air Force Yearbook 2008 |year=2008 |publisher= The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises |location= Fairford, UK }}
• {{OGL-attribution|version=3.0|{{cite report|author=Ministry of Defence|author-link=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|title=Strategic Defence Review|publisher=Stationery Office|location=London|date=July 1998|oclc=606985144|url=http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/65F3D7AC-4340-4119-93A2-20825848E50E/0/sdr1998_complete.pdf|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121018172816/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/65F3D7AC-4340-4119-93A2-20825848E50E/0/sdr1998_complete.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|access-date=21 April 2019}} }}

• [https://www.gov.uk/joint-helicopter-command Official website not updated since 2014]
• [https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/joint-helicopter-command/ Joint Helicopter Command – British Army]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130123145337/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Operations/Enduring-Operations/UK/Joint-Helicopter-Command Joint Helicopter Command – Royal Navy]

Category:British military aviation

Category:Helicopter units and formations

Category:Joint military units and formations of the United Kingdom

Category:Military units and formations established in 1999

Category:Organisations based in Hampshire

Category:1999 establishments in the United Kingdom