History
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, the CHF merged with various Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps force elements to become the Joint Helicopter Command, whilst maintaining its status as a formed unit.
It is based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, England; although aircraft are regularly deployed with 3 Cdo Brigade, overseas and to the ships of the Amphibious Ready Group; HMS Ocean ( Landing Platform Helicopter), HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion (Landing Platform Docks).
Elements of the force have operated in Northern Ireland to 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 as well as being a major part of JHC (Joint Helicopter Command) Operation Herrick, until pulling out late 2011.
The force supports the 3 Cdo Brigade annual Cold Weather Warfare exercise in Norway.
In 2005 the Gazelle reconnaissance helicopter was retired from service in the CHF.
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