Commando Helicopter Force
The Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) is a specialist unit of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm dedicated to delivering rotary-wing aviation support to the Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade.[1] Comprising three naval air squadrons—845, 846, and 847—the CHF operates primarily from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton and employs Merlin HC4 medium-lift helicopters for troop transport and assault support, alongside Wildcat AH1 aircraft for armed reconnaissance and light utility roles.[1][2] Formed in 1997 to unify command and control of helicopter assets previously dispersed across squadrons with roots in World War II-era aviation units, the CHF specializes in amphibious operations, enabling rapid insertion of commando forces in littoral environments.[3][4] Nicknamed the "Junglies" from intensive jungle warfare support during the 1960s Borneo confrontations, the force has transitioned from legacy Sea King platforms to modernized Merlins achieving full operational capability in upgrades as recent as 2025, enhancing survivability and mission versatility in contested battlespaces.[5][6] Its defining characteristics include rigorous commando training for aircrew, enabling operations in austere conditions, and integration with joint forces for expeditionary warfare, underscoring the Royal Navy's emphasis on agile, sea-based power projection.[7][2]Formation and Early History
Origins in Borneo and the 'Junglies' Era
The Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, also known as the Borneo Confrontation, erupted in December 1962 when Indonesian forces supported a Brunei revolt against the Sultanate's pro-Malaysia stance, escalating into cross-border incursions into Malaysian territory in Borneo until August 1966. Royal Navy helicopter squadrons played a pivotal role in supporting British and Commonwealth ground forces, particularly the Royal Marines, by providing rapid troop insertion, extraction, resupply, and casualty evacuation in dense jungle terrain where traditional overland movement was impractical.[8] These operations marked the genesis of specialized commando helicopter support, predating the formal establishment of the Commando Helicopter Force by over three decades.[1] The precursor units to the modern Commando Helicopter Force were Fleet Air Arm squadrons equipped with Westland Wessex helicopters, reformed or deployed specifically for the theater. 845 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), the first such "Junglie" unit, reformed on 10 April 1962 with Wessex HAS.1 aircraft and was immediately committed to operations in Brunei and Borneo following the initial Indonesian incursions.[4] Similarly, 846 NAS and 848 NAS operated in the region, rotating detachments from carriers like HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark to bases such as Labuan, conducting hundreds of sorties to ferry infantry patrols across rivers and ridgelines while evading hostile fire and harsh environmental conditions.[9] Ground troops, including Royal Marine commandos from 40 and 42 Commando, dubbed these squadrons the "Junglies" due to their expertise in low-level jungle flying, night operations, and adaptation to humidity, monsoons, and limited landing zones—capabilities that distinguished them from standard naval air units.[10] Key engagements underscored the squadrons' tactical value; for instance, in 1964–1965, Wessex helicopters enabled swift responses to Indonesian incursions near the Sarawak border, inserting reconnaissance teams and artillery spotters that helped contain guerrilla threats without large-scale ground battles.[8] The operations resulted in 16 aircrew fatalities across the Junglie squadrons, highlighting the risks of operating in contested airspace with rudimentary navigation aids and vulnerability to small-arms fire.[8] By 1966, as the confrontation wound down, these squadrons had demonstrated the necessity of dedicated rotary-wing assets integrated with commando units, evolving from ad hoc detachments under 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron into a doctrinal cornerstone for amphibious and expeditionary warfare.[11] This era cemented the "Junglies" ethos of versatility and close air support, influencing subsequent Royal Navy aviation structure despite the units' initial designation as temporary task force elements rather than a permanent force.[12]Establishment as a Formal Force in 1997
The Commando Helicopter Force was formally established in 1997 to consolidate command and control over helicopter squadrons dedicated to supporting the Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade, addressing previous fragmentation in aviation assets for amphibious and commando operations.[2][13] This unification centralized rotary-wing support under a single entity within the Fleet Air Arm, enhancing operational efficiency and integration with ground forces that had relied on dispersed units during prior engagements.[2] The formation incorporated three key naval air squadrons—845 Naval Air Squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron, and 847 Naval Air Squadron—headquartered at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.[2] These squadrons, previously operating independently or in loose coordination, provided specialized capabilities including assault transport and reconnaissance, primarily using Sea King and Lynx helicopters suited to the demands of rapid deployment and littoral environments.[2][14] This structural change preceded the broader Joint Helicopter Command by two years and formalized the evolution from earlier informal arrangements, such as the Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron (redesignated 847 NAS in 1995), into a cohesive force optimized for joint naval-commando missions.[13][15] The establishment emphasized self-contained adaptability, allowing CHF to function as a deployable "unit of action" while maintaining alignment with Royal Navy priorities.[13]Role and Strategic Importance
Primary Missions and Capabilities
The Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) provides rotary-wing aviation support to the Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade, enabling amphibious assault, expeditionary operations, and littoral manoeuvre worldwide.[1] Its primary missions encompass the insertion, extraction, and tactical transport of commando troops and equipment into contested environments, often from maritime platforms or forward operating bases.[16] This includes rapid reaction deployments for raids, rescues, and sustained operations in extreme conditions such as Arctic winters, jungle terrain, or desert expanses.[17] Key capabilities include battlefield reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, primarily executed by the Wildcat AH1 helicopter equipped with advanced sensors for scouting ahead of ground forces and directing joint fires, including missile strikes, air raids, and naval gunfire.[18] The Merlin HC4 helicopter delivers versatile air mobility, supporting troop carriage of up to 24 personnel, underslung load transport, and utility roles like casualty evacuation, while maintaining high readiness for global deployment within hours.[19] Additionally, CHF assets provide anti-armour and close air support, integrating with ground elements to neutralize threats and facilitate commando advances.[20] These missions demand specialized training for aircrew in low-level flying, night operations, and adverse weather, ensuring seamless integration with Royal Marines tactics for forcible entry and sustained combat.[21] CHF's operational flexibility extends to joint exercises with NATO allies, honing capabilities in multi-domain scenarios like high-intensity Arctic warfare or Indo-Pacific reconnaissance strikes.[22]Integration with Royal Marines and Joint Operations
The Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) provides dedicated aviation support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, enabling amphibious assaults, rapid troop insertions, and logistical sustainment in expeditionary operations.[1] CHF squadrons operate Merlin and Wildcat helicopters to deliver capabilities including battlefield reconnaissance, close air support, and medical evacuation, tailored to the brigade's commando role across varied terrains from arctic to jungle environments.[1] [23] Aircrew and support personnel from the Fleet Air Arm integrate closely with Royal Marines units through specialized training that emphasizes operations in hostile and austere conditions, ensuring interoperability during joint maneuvers.[2] This alignment allows CHF to accompany 3 Commando Brigade on deployments, providing organic airlift and enhancing the brigade's mobility without reliance on external assets.[7] In joint operations, CHF contributes to multinational exercises and combat missions, such as annual cold weather warfare training in Norway, where helicopters facilitate Royal Marines insertions for simulated raids and ground attacks.[24] [25] CHF elements also supported Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) from 2009 to 2011, with Sea King Mk4 helicopters conducting over 2,000 sorties for troop transport and casualty evacuation before their final mission on October 14, 2011.[26] Recent upgrades to Merlin helicopters have achieved full operating capability for worldwide vessel embarkation as of April 2025, bolstering CHF's role in littoral and joint environments.[27]Organization and Command Structure
Active Naval Air Squadrons
The Commando Helicopter Force maintains three active naval air squadrons, each specialized for amphibious assault support to Royal Marines commando operations: 845, 846, and 847 Naval Air Squadrons, all based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.[1] These units provide rotary-wing aviation capabilities including troop insertion, reconnaissance, and fire support, integrated within the UK's Joint Aviation Command.[4]| Squadron | Primary Aircraft | Key Roles |
|---|---|---|
| 845 Naval Air Squadron | Merlin HC4/4A (approximately 6-8 aircraft) | Medium-lift assault, troop transport (up to 24 personnel per aircraft), and utility support in amphibious and littoral environments; supports humanitarian aid and conflict operations with over 230 personnel.[4] In 2025, the squadron participated in global deployments, including Carrier Strike Group 25 exercises and front-line preparation in varied terrains.[28] |
| 846 Naval Air Squadron | Merlin HC4/4A | Frontline medium-lift operations mirroring 845 NAS, emphasizing rapid troop maneuver and sustainment for commando forces; one of two primary Merlin-equipped units in CHF.[30] The squadron conducted pre-deployment training in 2025, including contested environment simulations in North Yorkshire and winter exercises in Norway.[31][32] |
| 847 Naval Air Squadron | Wildcat AH1 (8 aircraft) | Armed reconnaissance, light assault, anti-armour strikes via missiles, and battlefield utility; equipped for target designation and joint fires in support of 3 Commando Brigade.[33] In 2025, it executed Arctic warfare training during Exercise CLOCKWORK, desert operations in the Sonoran region, and live-fire qualifications at RAF Lossiemouth.[34][35] |