Joint Aviation Command

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Tri-service command of the British Armed Forces

title: "Joint Aviation Command" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["british-military-aviation", "helicopter-units-and-formations", "joint-military-units-and-formations-of-the-united-kingdom", "military-units-and-formations-established-in-1999", "organisations-based-in-hampshire", "1999-establishments-in-the-united-kingdom"] description: "Tri-service command of the British Armed Forces" topic_path: "geography/united-kingdom" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Aviation_Command" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Tri-service command of the British Armed Forces ::

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

FieldValue
unit_nameJoint Aviation Command
imageJac-badge.png
image_size150px
captionJoint Aviation Command badge
dates5 October 1999 – present
countryUnited Kingdom
branch
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy

| | type | Tri-service command | | role | Battlefield helicopter operations Army UAV operations | | size | *15,000 personnel | | command_structure | Army Headquarters | | garrison | Marlborough Lines, Andover | | garrison_label | Headquarters | | motto | Across all boundaries | | colors | | | colors_label | | | equipment | *Apache AH64-E | | equipment_label | Aircraft | | website | | | commander1 | Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith | | commander1_label | Current commander | | commander2 | Air-Vice Marshal David Niven | | commander2_label | Inaugural commander | | notable_commanders | | ::

| unit_name = Joint Aviation Command | native_name = | image = Jac-badge.png | image_size = 150px | alt = | caption = Joint Aviation Command badge | dates = 5 October 1999 – present | disbanded = | country = United Kingdom | countries = | allegiance = | branch = Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy

| type = Tri-service command | role = Battlefield helicopter operations Army UAV operations | size = *15,000 personnel

  • 239 aircraft | command_structure = Army Headquarters | garrison = Marlborough Lines, Andover | garrison_label = Headquarters | nickname = | patron = | motto = Across all boundaries | colors = | colors_label = | march = | mascot = | anniversaries = | equipment = *Apache AH64-E
  • Chinook HC5/6/6A
  • Merlin HC4/4A
  • Watchkeeper WK450
  • Wildcat AH1
  • Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems | equipment_label = Aircraft | battles = | decorations = | battle_honours = | battle_honours_label = | flying_hours = | website = | current_commander = | commander1 = Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith | commander1_label = Current commander | commander2 = Air-Vice Marshal David Niven | commander2_label = Inaugural commander | commander3 = | commander3_label = | commander4 = | commander4_label = | commander5 = | commander5_label = | commander6 = | commander6_label = | commander7 = | commander7_label = | commander8 = | commander8_label = | commander9 = | commander9_label = | notable_commanders = | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_2_label = | identification_symbol_3 = | identification_symbol_3_label = | identification_symbol_4 = | identification_symbol_4_label = | identification_symbol_5 = | identification_symbol_5_label = The Joint Aviation Command (JAC), previously known as Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), is a tri-service organisation uniting battlefield military helicopters of all three services of the British Armed Forces and unmanned aerial vehicles of the British Army for command and coordination purposes.

The majority of the United Kingdom's military helicopters come under JAC, although exceptions include the Royal Navy's anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning helicopters and the No. 1 Flying Training School.

History

Background

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/JHC_Army_Wildcat_and_troops.jpg" caption="6 Regiment]] personnel"] ::

Over the years, the grouping of all battlefield support helicopters operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Army Air Corps (AAC) and Royal Air Force (RAF) 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.

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. The formation of JHC was considered by the MOD as one of the most important initiatives to result from the SDR. 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.

A Joint Helicopter Command Study Team was established to determine how JHC should operate. Four options for the location of JHC Headquarters were also examined, with RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, AAC Netheravon in Wiltshire, HQ Land Command at Erskine Barracks in Wiltshire and RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, being considered for the role.

Establishment

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/JHC_Chinook.jpg" caption="Wolf Scout Land Rovers]] on the [[Salisbury Plain Training Area]]"] ::

Joint Helicopter Command was formed on 5 October 1999, bringing together the FAA's commando helicopters, the Army's attack and light utility helicopters, and the RAF's support helicopters. The FAA's anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning helicopters, and FAA and RAF search and rescue helicopters were not included in JHC and remained under the control of the respective services. JHC Headquarters was established alongside HQ Land Command at Erskine Barracks, with Air-Vice Marshal David Niven being the inaugural commander.

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.

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.

In 2024, Joint Helicopter Command evolved into Joint Aviation Command with the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicle operations into the command.

Joint Helicopter Force (Northern Ireland)

The JHC operation in Northern Ireland in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and military units as part of Operation Banner and later Operation Helvetic was named the Joint Helicopter Force Northern Ireland (JHF(NI)). JHF(NI) consisted of the following units based at Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove:

Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq)

The JHC operation in Iraq as part of Operation Telic was named Joint Helicopter Force Iraq (JHF(I)).

The following aircraft types served with JHF(I): ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/JHC_Puma_2_from_RAF_Benson.jpg" caption="Westland Puma HC2]] based at RAF Benson"] ::

Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan)

The JHC operation in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick was named Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan (JHF(A)) "Task Force Jaguar".

The following aircraft types served with JHF(A): ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Apache_firing_rockets.jpg" caption="[[AgustaWestland Apache]] helicopter firing rockets in Afghanistan"] ::

Structure

JAC has its headquarters at the British Army's Marlborough Lines, Andover in Hampshire.

As a force supporting British Army and Royal Marine land operations, it is responsible ultimately to Army Headquarters (United Kingdom).

Formations from each service under Joint Aviation Command include:

British Army

Army Air Corps

Royal Artillery

  • 47th Regiment Royal Artillery (Horne Barracks, Larkhill)
    • 10 (Assaye) Battery – Thales Watchkeeper WK450
    • 31 (Headquarters) Battery
    • 43 Battery (Lloyd's Company) – Watchkeeper WK450
    • 74 Battery (The Battle Axe Company) – Watchkeeper WK450
    • 57 Battery (Bhurtpore) - Watchkeeper WK450
  • 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery (Roberts Barracks, Larkhill)
    • 46 (Talavera) Headquarters Battery
    • 18 (Quebec 1759) Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems
    • 21 (Gibraltar 1779–83) Air Assault Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems
    • 22 (Gibraltar 1779–83) Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems
    • 42 (Alem Hamza) Battery – Miniature Unmanned Aerial Systems

Royal Navy

Fleet Air Arm

Royal Air Force

Senior Commanders

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/JHC_Merlin_Mk3.jpg" caption="archive-date=17 November 2015 }} Commander Joint Helicopter Command has been held by:"] ::

References

Citations

Bibliography

References

  1. . (1 September 2020). ["How Defence Works Version 6.0"](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/920219/20200922-How_Defence_Works_V6.0_Sep_2020.pdf). *UK Ministry of Defence*.
  2. "Joint Aviation Command". Ministry of Defence.
  3. Smith, Rory. (29 February 2020). "RAF chief opens state-of-the-art helicopter training facilities in Shawbury".
  4. (13 October 1999). "RN/RAF support helicopter programmes merge". Reed Business Information Limited.
  5. "Joint Helicopter Command Headquarters".
  6. "British Military Aviation in 1999".
  7. "Joint Helicopter Command (JHC)".
  8. Ripley, Tim. (2004). "Air War Iraq". Pen & Sword.
  9. (21 February 2016). "Rare insight into the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force".
  10. (15 May 2024). "New Joint Aviation Command brings helicopters and drone systems under one roof". Forces.net.
  11. "Operation BANNER – Joint Helicopter Force Northern Ireland (JHF(NI))".
  12. "Joint Helicopter Command".
  13. "Army Air Corps".
  14. "Operation TELIC – Joint Helicopter Force Iraq (JHF(I))".
  15. "Operation Telic 2". Operation Telic.
  16. "Operation Telic 9". Operation Telic.
  17. "Operation Telic 3". Operation Telic.
  18. "Operation Telic 6". Operation Telic.
  19. "Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan (JHF(A))".
  20. "WAR STORY: STUDIES OF CAMP BASTION AND MAIN OPERATING BASE LASHKAR GAH DURING OPERATION HERRICK XVI, AUGUST 2012". IWM.
  21. "Operation HERRICK, Afghanistan.". Royal Air Force.
  22. "A New Commanding Officer at the helm". Royal Navy.
  23. "Joint Helicopter Command". Ministry of Defence.
  24. Heyman, Charles. (2013). "The Armed Forces of the United Kingdom 2014–2015". Pen & Sword Books Ltd..
  25. "Commando Helicopter Force".
  26. "RAF Benson".
  27. "RAF Odiham".
  28. Adams, Harry. (2024-05-15). "New Joint Aviation Command brings helicopters and drone systems under one roof".
  29. . (1 April 2020). ["The Eagle Spring 2020 edition"](http://www.theeagleonline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/WattishamEagleSpring2020web.pdf). *The Eagle*.
  30. Ripley, Tim. (6 April 2020). "UK forms aviation brigade". IHS Janes.
  31. . (5 May 2020). ["Army establishes its 1st Aviation Brigade"](https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/05/army-aviation-brigade/). *British Army*.
  32. . (14 May 2020). ["22 Squadron Re-Forms At RAF Benson"](https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/22-squadron-re-forms-at-raf-benson/?fbclid=IwAR0YDdxKn3KMUGHnU5xUaU6WUiEF5cPV-M9TvPYm0gPxW1lQgr1qt9-Ve88).
  33. "Senior tri-service and Ministry of Defence Posts".
  34. {{London Gazette. (3 October 2023)

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british-military-aviationhelicopter-units-and-formationsjoint-military-units-and-formations-of-the-united-kingdommilitary-units-and-formations-established-in-1999organisations-based-in-hampshire1999-establishments-in-the-united-kingdom