Commando Helicopter Force

Quality 0.50 · 3 views · Updated 2 months ago

Element of the British Royal Navy and Joint Aviation Command

title: "Commando Helicopter Force" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["royal-marine-formations-and-units", "naval-aviation-units-and-formations-of-the-united-kingdom", "military-units-and-formations-established-in-1997"] description: "Element of the British Royal Navy and Joint Aviation Command" topic_path: "geography/united-kingdom" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commando_Helicopter_Force" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Element of the British Royal Navy and Joint Aviation Command ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox military unit"]

FieldValue
unit_nameCommando Helicopter Force
image[[File:Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC3-3A, British Army Wildcat AH1 (28418553256).jpg
captionCommando Helicopter Force Merlin HC3/3A and Wildcat AH1
dates
country
branch
typeForce headquarters
roleAir support to the UK Commando Force
size700 personnel
command_structure*Fleet Air Arm
garrisonRNAS Yeovilton
garrison_labelHome station
nicknameThe Junglies
colors
colors_label
equipment*Merlin HC4/4A
equipment_labelAircraft
website
current_commanderColonel Will Penkman Royal Marines
::

| unit_name = Commando Helicopter Force | native_name = | image = [[File:Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC3-3A, British Army Wildcat AH1 (28418553256).jpg|300px]] | image_size = | alt = | caption = Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HC3/3A and Wildcat AH1 | dates = | disbanded = | country = | allegiance = | branch = | type = Force headquarters | role = Air support to the UK Commando Force | size = 700 personnel | command_structure = *Fleet Air Arm

  • Joint Aviation Command | garrison = RNAS Yeovilton | garrison_label = Home station | nickname = The Junglies | patron = | motto = | colors = | colors_label = | march = | mascot = | anniversaries = | equipment = *Merlin HC4/4A
  • Wildcat AH1 | equipment_label = Aircraft | battles = | battles_label = | decorations = | battle_honours = | battle_honours_label = | flying_hours = | website = | current_commander = Colonel Will Penkman Royal Marines | commander1 = | commander1_label = | notable_commanders = | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) is a unit of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and an element of the Joint Aviation Command of the British Armed Forces. Its primary role is to provide helicopter support to the UK Commando Force and other UK force elements in the amphibious environment. CHF uses a combination of transport helicopters based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, England.

Endearingly referred to as 'The Junglies' due to their activities in Borneo throughout the 1960s, the Commando Helicopter Force comprises three squadrons: 845, 846, and 847 Naval Air Squadrons. Collectively, they operate the AW-101 Merlin HC4/4A and the AW-159 Wildcat AH1 to deliver air support to the UK Commando Force and various other UK forces. Their roles encompass battlefield reconnaissance, joint fire support, and the training of aircrew and engineers for frontline operations, with expertise in maritime, Arctic, and desert environments.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Lynx_Mk7_Helicopter_with_Soldiers.JPG" caption="Lynx AH7]] of the type previously used by the Commando Helicopter Force"] ::

The Commando Helicopter Force was formed in 1997 to consolidate command and control of the various Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines helicopter squadrons which supported 3 Commando Brigade under Flag Officer Naval Aviation.

In 1999, CHF merged with various Royal Air Force (RAF) and Army Air Corps force elements under the Joint Helicopter Command, whilst maintaining its identity as a formed unit.

Elements of the force have operated in Northern Ireland (until 2002), Sierra Leone in 2000 and Bosnia; and it was an element of the amphibious force for Operation Telic, the British involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, notably supporting the landings to secure the Al-Faw Peninsula. CHF was also a major part of Joint Helicopter Command's contribution to Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.

Following the Strategic Defence and Security Review of 2010, the decision was made to transfer all RAF Merlin HC3 helicopters to the Royal Navy under the command and control of Commando Helicopter Force. On 30 September 2014, the aircraft were formally handed over from the RAF to the Royal Navy; with the first Royal Navy Merlin squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron, standing up concurrently and relocating from RAF Benson to RNAS Yeovilton on 26 March 2015 and 845 Naval Air Squadron doing likewise the year after. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Sea_King_Helicopters_During_Excersise_Western_Rhumba_16-09-2004_MOD_45143592.jpg" caption="Birrim]] forest Ghana during 2004"] ::

The Merlin HC3 replaced the ageing Sea King HC4 as CHF's medium-lift transport aircraft when the Sea King HC4 retired on 31 March 2016.

As part of the transfer of service, the Merlin HC3 underwent an upgrade to the HC4 standard which includes a full mid-life upgrade of the airframe and avionics; and 'marinised' or more accurately optimised the aircraft for ship-borne amphibious operations.

Location

It is based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, England; aircraft are regularly deployed with UK Commando Forces, overseas and to the ships of the Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) (JEF(M)).

Aircraft of the Commando Helicopter Force can be accommodated on the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers as well as some vessels of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Command and control

CHF is a Fleet Air Arm asset and as such remains under the Full Command (FULLCOM) of the First Sea Lord, whilst Operational Command (OPCOM) is delegated to the Joint Aviation Command, under Army HQ, who will task assets in accordance with Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) or Front Line Command requirements.

Organisation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Two_Commando_Helicopter_Force_Merlin_Mk3_helicopters_on_exercise_in_northern_Norway_MOD_45158523.jpg" caption="Harstad]] in Norway"] ::

The Commando Helicopter Force has three Naval Air Squadrons with separate roles:

845 and 846 NAS received Merlin HC3/3As to replace the retiring Sea Kings HC4s in 2014 and 2015. 846 NAS took their Merlin HC3s on 30 September 2014; 845 NAS followed on 9 July 2015. These are being upgraded to the Merlin Mk4/Mk4A as part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP). The Merlin HC4 has a grey colour scheme, not the dark green colour of the "Junglie" Sea Kings.

Concurrently, 847 NAS has come to the end of the process of upgrading to the AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat.

845 Naval Air Squadron

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/845_Commando_Helicopter_Force_Merlin_MOD_45167373.jpg" caption="Merlin HC4]] wearing the current grey colour scheme used by the Commando Helicopter Force"] ::

845 NAS operated the Westland Sea King HC4 helicopter; a variant that has been specially modified for medium-lift transport and flying in all sorts of weather conditions and terrains. 845 had at least two of it Sea Kings deployed to the Bosnian theatre since 1992. Besides Bosnia, they have operated in Albania, Egypt, Honduras, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. 845 NAS was temporarily stationed at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire as part of the Merlin transition until it relocated back to RNAS Yeovilton on 20 June 2016.

846 Naval Air Squadron

846 NAS operates with 845 NAS, but has not seen action in Bosnia, being more focused on the Northern flank of the NATO theatre. Until recently, 846 maintained a base in Northern Ireland that allowed it to become very proficient in cold weather and winter operations. However, squadron operations are not limited to northern flying conditions and it has operated in South East Asia, Australia, the United States, and Germany. Two of the squadron's aircraft were sent to Turkey following the major earthquake it suffered in November 1999. 846 NAS was temporarily stationed at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire as part of the Merlin transition until it relocated back to RNAS Yeovilton on 26 March 2015.

In March 2016, 846 NAS was given the role of Maritime Counter Terrorism after the disbandment of 848 Naval Air Squadron and its Sea King HC4 helicopters.

847 Naval Air Squadron

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/AgustaWestland_AW-159_Lynx_Wildcat_AH1_-_Chris_Lofting.jpg" caption="Wildcat AH1]] of the Commando Helicopter Force"] ::

847 NAS operates Wildcat AH1 helicopters, in light transport, control of joint fires, and reconnaissance roles.

Decommissioned Unit

848 Naval Air Squadron

848 Naval Air Squadron was the Commando Sea King HC4 training unit for the CHF, and trained not only the aircrews but also the ground crews. In addition to the skills necessary to fly their missions, Commando Helicopter Force members are trained in small-arms use as well as tactics and survival fieldcraft. Being a naval unit that was directly tasked with supporting the Royal Marines, trainees are also schooled in shipboard and amphibious assault operations. A special unit within 848 Squadron, M Flight, was tasked with supporting the Special Boat Service (SBS) in their operations. 848 NAS disbanded in 2013 but then reformed on 1 May 2015 to continue operating the Sea Kings, maintaining operational capability within the CHF while 845 NAS converted to the Merlin, until the Sea King reached its planned out of service date on 31 March 2016. 848 NAS disbanded 24 March 2016.

Personnel

Aircrew, recruited from the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines, join the force having completed training in helicopter operations under No. 1 Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury.

References

References

  1. "Commando Helicopter Force".
  2. "Commando Helicopter Force". Elite Forces.
  3. (1 July 1998). "Strategic Defence Review". Ministry of Defence.
  4. Ripley, Tim. (2004). "Air War Iraq". Pen and Sword.
  5. (30 March 2015). "846 Naval air squadron returns home to RNAS Yeovilton". Global aviation Resource.
  6. (31 March 2016). "Westland Sea King HC4 Commando Retirement". Aeroresource.
  7. Waters, Conrad. (2015). "Seaforth World Naval Review 2016". Seaforth Publishing.
  8. (5 May 2015). "HMS Bulwark and Merlin helicopters ready for operations in the Mediterranean". Royal Navy.
  9. "Merlin helicopters arrive on HMS Queen Elizabeth ahead of landmark deployment". Royal Navy.
  10. "Navy Command, Senior Officers". Ministry of Defence.
  11. "845 Naval Air Squadron – Royal Navy".
  12. "846 Naval Air Squadron – Royal Navy".
  13. "847 Naval Air Squadron". royalnavy.mod.uk.
  14. "Commando Helicopter Force".
  15. "Janes Guide – Merlin Mk4 Upgrades".
  16. "The Past, Present and Future of the 'Junglie'".
  17. (7 May 2015). "The 847 Naval Air Squadron transitions to the AgustaWestland Wildcat AH.1 helicopter Interview with Major David Sutton Royal Marines, Senior Pilot". Janes.
  18. (20 June 2016). "845 NAS Come Home". Fleet air Arm Officers Association.
  19. (21 February 2016). "Rare insight into the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force".
  20. "848 NAS awarded the Bambara flight safety shield".
  21. "It really is goodbye to the 'old girl' – Royal Navy".
  22. (29 February 2020). "RAF chief opens state-of-the-art helicopter training facilities in Shawbury".
  23. (10 September 2014). "UK MoD begins training helicopter acquisition". Flightglobal.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

royal-marine-formations-and-unitsnaval-aviation-units-and-formations-of-the-united-kingdommilitary-units-and-formations-established-in-1997