The Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) is a tri-service organisation uniting battlefield military helicopters of the British Armed Forces for command and coordination purposes.
History
Background
6 Regiment Army Air Corps conduct Under Slung Load training with a Wildcat Helicopter
Over the years, the grouping of all battlefield support helicopters operated by the Fleet Air Arm, Army Air Corps and Royal Air Force 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.[2]
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.[3] The formation of JHC was considered by the MOD as one of the most important initiatives to result from the SDR.[4] 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.[2]
A Chinook helicopter delivers Wolf Scout Land Rovers
Joint Helicopter Command was formed on 5 October 1999, bringing together the Navy's commando helicopters, the Army's attack and light utility helicopters, and the RAF's support helicopters.[5] The Royal Navy's anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning helicopters, and RN and RAF search and rescue helicopters, were not included in JHC and remained under the control of the respective services.[3] JHC Headquarters was established alongside HQ Land Command at Erskine Barracks, with Air-Vice MarshalDavid Niven being the inaugural commander.[6][7]
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.[8]
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.[9] Another detachment was also maintained in Afghanistan, as part of Operation Herrick.[10]
Role and operations
The majority of the United Kingdom's military helicopters come under JHC, although exceptions include the Royal Navy's anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning helicopters and the Defence Helicopter Flying School.
Commando Helicopter Force Merlin Mk3 helicopters on exercise with Royal Marines in northern Norway
Since 2009, the US Navy station Naval Air Facility El Centro (NAFEC) in California has been home to Joint Helicopter Force (US), an element of JHC which provides pre-deployment and desert environmental qualification training. The deserts of Southern California have temperatures and terrain closely resembling those of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, where British helicopters have been on operational duty in recent years.[12]
^"How Defence Works Version 6.0"(PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. UK Ministry of Defence. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020. Subordinate to CGS are two 3-star commanders and one 2-star commander...Commander Joint Helicopter Command
United Kingdom
British Army
Royal Navy
Royal Air Force
