Commando Helicopter Force

Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm formation and an element of the British Armed Forces’ Joint Aviation Command. Its central task is to provide aviation support to the UK Commando Force, particularly in amphibious operations, while also contributing to wider joint operations and other military requirements. The force is based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset and operates aircraft that can deploy from land bases, Royal Navy vessels, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. The force was created in 1997 to bring together the command and control of Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines helicopter units supporting 3 Commando Brigade. In 1999, it was incorporated into the Joint Helicopter Command alongside relevant Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps elements, while retaining its identity as a formed Royal Navy unit. Its command relationships reflect this dual character: it remains a Fleet Air Arm asset under the full command of the First Sea Lord, while operational control is delegated through Joint Aviation Command for tasking by the Permanent Joint Headquarters or the relevant front-line command. CHF has supported British operations in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other overseas exercises and deployments. During Operation Telic, the British contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, its helicopters supported the amphibious force and operations around the Al-Faw Peninsula. The force also made a major contribution to Joint Helicopter Command activity during Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. Its operational experience spans maritime, Arctic, desert and other demanding environments. The formation is commonly associated with the nickname “The Junglies,” a reference to Fleet Air Arm helicopter activity in Borneo during the 1960s. Today, its principal flying elements are 845 Naval Air Squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron and 847 Naval Air Squadron. The first two operate Merlin HC4 and HC4A medium-lift helicopters, while 847 operates the AW159 Wildcat AH1 in light transport, battlefield reconnaissance and joint-fire-support roles. Aviation combat service support and mobile air-operations elements provide the logistical and command infrastructure required for expeditionary deployments. A major transformation followed the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, which transferred the RAF’s Merlin HC3 helicopters to the Royal Navy. The transfer was formally completed in September 2014, and 846 Naval Air Squadron re-formed as the first Royal Navy Merlin squadron in March 2015, followed by 845 Naval Air Squadron’s move back to Yeovilton in 2016. The Merlin HC3 fleet was subsequently upgraded to the HC4/HC4A standard through a life-sustainment programme that improved avionics and adapted the aircraft for shipborne amphibious operations. The Merlin replaced the ageing Sea King HC4 as CHF’s medium-lift platform when that aircraft retired in March 2016. CHF is therefore not a conventional commercial brand. Its public identity represents a military capability, operational heritage and specialist aviation community. Its activities combine front-line helicopter support, aircrew and engineer training, maritime counter-terrorism support, reconnaissance, joint fires and expeditionary logistics for the UK’s amphibious force.

Commando Helicopter Force was established in 1997 as a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm formation intended to unify the command and control of helicopter squadrons supporting the United Kingdom’s commando and amphibious forces. Before its creation, relevant Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines aviation elements operated within a more dispersed structure. The new formation brought them together under Flag Officer Naval Aviation while preserving the specialist relationship between naval helicopters and 3 Commando Brigade. In 1999, CHF became part of the Joint Helicopter Command, an arrangement that brought together selected helicopter capabilities from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps. CHF retained its own identity and naval character, but its assets could be coordinated within a wider joint aviation system. This model enabled helicopters to be assigned to operations by joint headquarters while remaining connected to the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Marines’ amphibious mission. The force and its constituent squadrons accumulated operational experience in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sierra Leone and other overseas theatres. During the 2003 Iraq War, under Operation Telic, CHF formed part of the amphibious force and supported operations associated with securing the Al-Faw Peninsula. It later contributed extensively to Joint Helicopter Command operations in Afghanistan under Operation Herrick. Individual squadrons also undertook deployments and exercises in locations including Albania, Egypt, Honduras, Nigeria, Australia, Germany, the United States and Turkey. The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review led to a major change in CHF’s equipment and organisation. Merlin HC3 helicopters previously operated by the RAF were transferred to the Royal Navy. The formal handover took place on 30 September 2014. 846 Naval Air Squadron became the first Royal Navy Merlin squadron under the new arrangement and moved from RAF Benson to RNAS Yeovilton in March 2015. 845 Naval Air Squadron followed the conversion process and returned to Yeovilton in 2016. The Merlin HC3 replaced the Sea King HC4 as CHF’s medium-lift transport helicopter. The replacement was not simply an aircraft change: the Merlin fleet underwent a life-sustainment and maritime adaptation programme to bring it to HC4 and HC4A standards. These improvements included airframe and avionics work and optimisation for shipborne operations in an amphibious environment. The Sea King HC4 reached the end of its CHF service on 31 March 2016. CHF’s organisational transition also affected training and specialist roles. 848 Naval Air Squadron, which had trained Sea King HC4 aircrew and ground crew, disbanded in 2013 and re-formed temporarily in 2015 to sustain Sea King capability while 845 Naval Air Squadron converted to Merlin. It finally disbanded on 24 March 2016 after the Sea King retirement. In March 2016, 846 Naval Air Squadron assumed maritime counter-terrorism responsibilities after the disbandment of 848. The force now consists principally of 845, 846 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons, supported by aviation combat service support and commando mobile air-operations elements. 845 provides operational medium lift with Merlin aircraft. 846 combines operational conversion training with medium-lift capability and maritime counter-terrorism support. 847 operates the AW159 Wildcat AH1 for light lift, battlefield reconnaissance and joint-fire-support tasks. CHF aircraft can deploy with commando forces overseas and operate from Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, including Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. Its continued role is to provide responsive aviation support for amphibious, maritime and expeditionary operations in a wide range of climates and operational settings.

• 2016

  Sea King HC4 retires from the force

  [1]Commando Helicopter Forceen.wikipedia.org

  The ageing Sea King HC4 left service with CHF, completing the transition to Merlin medium lift.

• 2016

  846 Naval Air Squadron assumes maritime counter-terrorism role

  [1]Commando Helicopter Forceen.wikipedia.org

  846 NAS took on the Maritime Counter Terrorism Air Group role after 848 NAS was disbanded.

• 2015

  846 Naval Air Squadron re-forms as a Merlin squadron

  [1]Commando Helicopter Forceen.wikipedia.org

  846 NAS stood up at RNAS Yeovilton and began operating Merlin helicopters in support of CHF’s medium-lift transition.

• 2014

  Royal Navy takes over RAF Merlin HC3 fleet

  [1]Commando Helicopter Forceen.wikipedia.org

  The Merlin HC3 helicopters were formally transferred from the RAF to the Royal Navy as part of the post-2010 defence restructuring.

• 1999

  Integration into Joint Helicopter Command

  [1]Commando Helicopter Forceen.wikipedia.org

  The force entered the Joint Helicopter Command structure while maintaining its status and identity as a formed naval unit.

• 1997

  Formation of Commando Helicopter Force

  [1]Commando Helicopter Forceen.wikipedia.org

  CHF was created to consolidate Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines helicopter units supporting 3 Commando Brigade.

A specialist Royal Navy aviation formation positioned as the United Kingdom’s dedicated helicopter-support capability for commando, amphibious and expeditionary operations.

• Medium-lift naval helicopter

  Merlin HC4/HC4A

  The Merlin HC4 and HC4A are CHF’s principal medium-lift helicopters. Derived from aircraft transferred from the RAF, they were upgraded through a life-sustainment programme involving airframe and avionics improvements and adaptation for maritime and shipborne amphibious operations. They transport personnel and equipment, support commando manoeuvre and operate in demanding conditions from land bases and naval platforms.

• Light utility and reconnaissance helicopter

  Wildcat AH1

  Operated by 847 Naval Air Squadron, the AW159 Wildcat AH1 provides light lift, battlefield reconnaissance, command-and-control support and joint-fire-support capability. It replaced the earlier light helicopter capability within the commando aviation structure and is suited to expeditionary operations in conjunction with Royal Marines and wider British forces.

• Former medium-lift commando helicopter

  Sea King HC4

  The Sea King HC4 was CHF’s earlier medium-lift and commando transport helicopter. It supported operations in Europe, the Middle East and other overseas theatres before being replaced by the Merlin HC4. The type was retired from CHF service on 31 March 2016.

• 2003Operation Telic

  Iraq

  CHF formed part of the amphibious force during the British-led contribution to the invasion of Iraq and supported operations associated with securing the Al-Faw Peninsula.

  Source
• 2001Operation Herrick

  Afghanistan

  CHF made a substantial contribution to Joint Helicopter Command’s aviation effort in Afghanistan, providing transport and operational support in a demanding expeditionary theatre.

  Source
• 2000Sierra Leone operations

  Sierra Leone

  Elements of CHF supported British military activity in Sierra Leone, contributing helicopter transport and expeditionary aviation capability.

  Source

• 2014

  Merlin HC3 to HC4/HC4A conversionGeneration change

  Background

  The transferred Merlin aircraft required upgrades and maritime optimisation before becoming the principal CHF medium-lift platform.

  Action taken

  The aircraft entered a life-sustainment programme covering airframe, avionics and shipborne operational modifications.

  Aftermath

  The upgraded Merlin fleet replaced the Sea King HC4 and expanded CHF’s modern amphibious transport capability.

  Source

• 2010

  Transfer of RAF Merlin helicopters to the Royal NavyStrategy

  Background

  The Strategic Defence and Security Review reorganised British military helicopter responsibilities and assigned the RAF Merlin HC3 fleet to the Royal Navy and CHF.

  Action taken

  The helicopters were transferred into the naval commando aviation structure, with 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons adopting the Merlin medium-lift role.

  Aftermath

  The change led to the retirement of the Sea King HC4 and the development of the Merlin HC4/HC4A capability for amphibious and shipborne operations.

  Source

1. 1Commando Helicopter Forceen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Commando Helicopter Force Headquartersroyalnavy.mod.uk