Joint Aviation Command | The British Army
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Joint Aviation Command

Across all boundaries

Joint Aviation Command (JAC) brings under one command the battlefield helicopters of the Royal Navy, Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force along with the Army’s Uncrewed Aerial Systems.

JAC operates the core tasks of lift, find and attack on the battlefield supporting ground forces in the land and littoral environments.

Facts and Figures

Facts & Figures

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Active from

1999

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Personnel

8,500+

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Aircraft

350+

Operations

Since its conception, the JHC has proved itself to be pivotal to success on operations. It has supported operational campaigns in many countries, including

  • Mali 2017 – Present  
  • Sierra Leone 2014 - 2015 
  • Iraq 2014 
  • Philippines 2013 
  • Afghanistan 2001 – Present  
  • Northern Ireland 1999 – Present 
  • Domestic Support 1999 – Present 
  • Libya 2011 
  • Lebanon 2006 
  • Pakistan 2005 
  • Indonesia 2004 
  • Iraq 2003 – 2008 
  • Balkans 2003 
  • Macedonia 2001 
  • Sierra Leone 2000 
  • Mozambique 2000 
  • Kosovo 1999

Army Air Corps

Army Air Corps soldiers have been wearing the blue beret with pride since 1957. They use Army aircraft, such as the Apache attack helicopter, to deliver hard-hitting and effective support to ground forces during the key stages of battle.

The AAC’s role also includes reconnaissance. From high above the action, they observe enemy forces and pass information to troops on the ground.

Army Air Corps

Royal Navy

Based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) is part of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC). CHF was formed to bring the helicopter units which supported 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines based in Plymouth in Devon under a single command. Its primary role is to provide rotary-wing support to the Brigade and other UK force elements in the amphibious environment.

Following the introduction of the Royal Navy’s latest generation of aircraft carriers CHF has a key role to play in the ships operations with its Commando Merlin HC4s already embarked, and CHF’s Commando Wildcats waiting their call to embark in due course.

Royal Navy

Royal Air Force

RAF Odiham is a front line support helicopter base working within the Joint Helicopter Command. Located in Hampshire, we are committed to operations and supporting operations throughout the world with the Station being primarily responsible for providing rapid mobility world-wide for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in support of Defence Missions and Tasks. Home of the UK Chinook Force, Royal Air Force Odiham operates three Chinook squadrons. Our personnel are engaged in operations and exercises throughout the world and held at readiness to deploy worldwide. 

RAF Benson is home to the Puma Force, which continuously delivers an operational capability ranging from life-saving aero-medical evacuations to crucial troop transport on operations. They also support the day-to-day training of British troops and act as a rapid response unit to any national incident, such as environmental disasters. The Puma Force is currently deployed on Operation TORAL in Afghanistan, providing life-saving transport to UK and NATO personnel from Kabul International Airport.

Royal Air Force

Our Locations

Aircraft

Apache Attack Helicopter

Elite Fleet The Apache attack helicopter can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds.

Aircraft

Wildcat Mk1

Role Range of tasks include on the battlefield including reconnaissance, command and control, transportation of troops and material, and the provision of force protection

Aircraft

Watchkeeper

The Watchkeeper features Fexible, all-weather operation with de-icing capability and Automatic takeoff and landing

Artillery and air defence

Merlin

The Merlin Mk4 is operated by the Commando Helicopter Force in a ship to shore assault role, capable of carrying troops, internal freight and underslung loads. It also has a fast roping beam to allow for the rapid deployment of troops from the main cabin door.

Chinook

The Chinook is able to operate from land bases or ships into a diverse range of environments from the Arctic to the desert or jungle. With its triple-hook external load system and large reserves of power it can lift a wide variety of complex underslung loads or internal freight. It can carry up to 55 troops.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/chinook/

Puma

The Puma HC Mark Two is used in a variety of combat roles including the tactical movement of troops, weapons and ammunition. It is also used in the extraction of casualties, Search and Rescue and is employed during non-combatant evacuations and humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/puma-hc2/

Puma UAV

Also see...

AAC 400X266 HMTK

Army Air Corps