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Protecting our Nation's Interests

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Commando Helicopter Force HQ

The four squadrons of the Commando Helicopter Force are the wings of the Royal Marines, providing crucial aerial support to the green berets be they at sea in an assault ship or in the sand and dust of Afghanistan.

One of the last flights of the SeaKing in Afganistan took place today over Mount Juno, Just outside Camp Bastion.

Commando Helicopter Force – known throughout the Navy as CHF – comprises three front-line and one training squadron flying Sea Kings and Lynx. 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons with their distinctive green Sea Kings are heavily committed in Helmand in support of the Allied peacekeeping mission.

At home in the UK, the Sea King training squadron, 848, ensures air and ground crew are ready for the marines’ global mission.

847 Naval Air Squadron completes the CHF quartet, operating Lynx Mk9 helicopters in an aerial reconnaissance and ground support role.

They too are heavily in demand in Afghanistan where, among other duties, they provide aerial cover for convoys moving between Allied bases.

COMMANDING OFFICER

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.

Captain Matt Briers Royal Navy

Matt Briers

Matt Briers
RANK:
Captain
JOINED:
1984
SPECIALISATION:
Warfare Pilot
PREVIOUS UNITS:
845 NAS, 849 NAS, 847 NAS
Military experience

A specialist in commando aviation, Captain Matt Briers Royal Navy joined BRNC Dartmouth in 1984 as a General List Seaman Officer and was awarded a Queen’s Telescope in 1986. 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.


OPERATIONS

Cold Weather Training

CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED
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MISSION SUMMARY

Cold Weather Training is a multinational exercise led by the Norwegian Armed Forces. While current operations are focussed on Afghanistan, it is vital that the Royal Navy maintains its amphibious capability in a cold weather environment. This training brings together the Royal Marines, assault ships and other Fleet assets, and the helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm.

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