Commando Helicopter Force Headquarters

Military experience

A specialist in commando aviation, Captain Matt Briers Royal Navy joined BRNC Dartmouth in 1984 as a General List Seaman Officer. After qualifying as a pilot and completing numerous appointments flying, as a warfare officer at sea, and broad MOD staff duties, he was promoted Captain in September 2009; he assumed Command of the Commando Helicopter Force on 07 September 2011.

Having joined BRNC, and following training in HM Ships COTTESMORE and SIRIUS, he was appointed to HMS DUMBARTON CASTLE for a 6 month South Atlantic patrol. This was followed by an appointment in the Hong Kong Squadron as Gunnery and Correspondence Officer in HMS PLOVER, engaged in anti-smuggling and illegal immigration patrols.

He commenced flying training in 1990 and was streamed as a commando pilot joining 846 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton for a diverse tour involving 2 Arctic deployments, several amphibious exercises and 6 tours in Northern Ireland. Leaving as the Operations Officer and Flight Commander in 1995, he next joined 849 Squadron B Flight as Senior Pilot flying the AEW Sea King from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. In 1998 he attended the Principal Warfare Officers course before joining HMS ARGYLL as PWO (A) and Operations Officer for a South Atlantic deployment which was modified to include a 4 month deployment to West Africa in support of operations in Sierra Leone.

In 2000, he converted to the Lynx Mk 7 and Gazelle with the Army Air Corps, before taking up an appointment as the Senior Pilot of 847 Naval Air squadron in the anti-tank/armoured reconnaissance role.

Appointed in Command of 845 NAS in October 2006, he has flown the Sea King Mk4 helicopter and seen operational service in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, and Iraq with 845 Squadron and concurrently Commanded the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq) before his Squadron was deployed to Afghanistan. He subsequently served as the Military Assistant to the Chief of Joint Operations in Northwood.

Promoted Captain in September 2009, he returned to the MOD as Assistant Head of UK Counter Terrorism within the Operations Directorate. He assumed Command of the Commando Helicopter Force on 07 September 2011.

Commenting on the future Captain Matt Briers RN, said "Once the planned transfer of the Merlin Mk 4 and the introduction of Wildcat to the Commando Helicopter Force is complete the aircraft will be key enablers in the insertion and sustainment of a Commando Group ashore. This contingent capability will deliver high readiness, flexible, multi-role forces, whether for diplomatic, humanitarian or military tasks; a key capability identified in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review. There will be many challenges ahead, but the combination of CHF the Wildcat and Merlin Mk 4 will offer a new direction and increased value for money for Defence."