Joint Helicopter Command
| Joint Helicopter Command | |
|---|---|
| File:Joint Helicopter Command logo.jpg | |
| 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[1] |
| Ceremonial chief | Queen Elizabeth II |
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.
Contents
History
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.
Organisation
As of 2006, Joint Helicopter Command had 243 aircraft available for operations.[citation needed] The majority of the United Kingdom's military helicopters come under JHC, although exceptions include the Royal Navy's fleet helicopters, and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force's search and rescue helicopters.
An overview of formations from each service under Joint Helicopter Command:
- British Army
- Royal Corps of Signals
- Mainly 220 Signal Squadron, part of 21 Signal Regiment (Air Support)
- Infantry (wef 3 Apr 12)
- Army Air Corps
- 1 Regiment
- 2 Regiment (Training)
- 3 Regiment
- 4 Regiment
- 5 Regiment
- 6 Regiment (TA)
- 7 Regiment (Training)
- 9 Regiment
- Royal Corps of Signals
The Command also has operational command of 16 Air Assault Brigade, which comprises 4 infantry battalions in the air assault and parachute infantry roles, plus supporting elements.
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.
By August 16, 47th Regiment Royal Artillery will under JHC command.[3]
Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq)
The following types were deployed to Iraq under JHF (I):[4]
- Boeing Chinook HC.2's.[4]
- Westland Sea King HC.4's.[4]
- Westland Lynx AH.7[4]/AH.9's.[5]
- Westland Gazelle AH.1's.[4]
- Westland Puma HC.1's.[6]
- Westland Merlin HC.3's.[7]
Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)
The following types were deployed to Afghanistan under JHF (A):
- AgustaWestland Apache AH.1's.[8]
- Boeing Chinook[9] HC.2's.
- Westland Lynx AH.7,[8] AH.9 & AH.9A's.
- Westland Merlin[9] HC.3's.
- Westland Puma HC.1's.
- Westland Sea King HC.4+ from November 2007[8] & ASaC.7's
Joint Helicopter Force (Northern Ireland)
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.
- Britten-Norman Defender (fixed wing)
- Westland Gazelle
Senior Commanders
JHC is commanded by a two-star officer from either the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.
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 Anthony Johnstone-Burt
- 2011 - 2014 Air Vice-Marshal Carl Dixon
- 2014–Present Major General Richard Felton
References
Citations
- ↑ Joint Helicopter Command
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=783635515081477&id=299432630168437
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- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 March 2008, p. 8.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Bibliography
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
