Joint Helicopter Command

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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		 Air Vice-Marshal Carl Dixon CB, OBE[1]
Ceremonial chief Queen Elizabeth II

Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) is a tri-service organisation uniting military helicopters of the British Armed Forces for command and coordination purposes. Joint Helicopter Command reports to Army Headquarters at Andover.

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. Since the invasion, Joint Helicopter Command has maintained units in Iraq, in support of deployed British and coalition forces there. Another detachment is also maintained in Afghanistan, as part of Operation Herrick.

Organisation

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, and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force's search and rescue helicopters.

An overview of formations from each service under Joint Helicopter Command:

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.

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:

References

  1. ↑ Joint Helicopter Command
  2. ↑ TAQ. MoD. Jan 12. 
  3. ↑ TAQ. MoD. Jan 12. 

External links

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