Commando Helicopter Force

The Commando Helicopter Force is made up of four Naval Air Squadrons of Sea Kings and Lynx helicopters which support Royal Marines and other troops on the front line afloat and ashore. Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) consists of four squadrons, manned by Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel, under the command of one headquarters based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The pilots and aircrew of CHF are among the most versatile and well-trained in the rotary world.

Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4

Once qualified they can operate in the most extreme conditions possible, from sub zero winter conditions north of the arctic circle to the tropical jungles and deserts around the world. As a maritime force, they operate from a variety of Royal Navy and RFA ships and are the experts in specialist amphibious assault.

It was during operations in Borneo in the 1960s that earned them the nickname Junglies from the troops, a name which both current and veteran members of CHF covet to this day.

Where Junglie aircrew go, their support units follow. CHF can deploy anywhere in the world, fully self-sufficient, with stores, engineering, vehicles, accommodation, and a commando and parachute-trained mobile air operations team. And even its own chaplain.

Every member of CHF who is not commando trained is given a five-week military fieldcraft and infantry skills course so that they can survive alongside ground troops around the world, and also are able to operate and fight effectively as an expeditionary aviation unit. The training is tough, but it prepares all personnel for even more arduous conditions, with an arctic cold weather survival course and frequent environmental training courses to follow throughout the career.

The Junglies are unique, equally at home at sea or on land, familiar with RAF and Army counterparts yet proud members of the Fleet Air Arm.

Their ethos is 'train hard, fight easy' rings true to this day.

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

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

Operation Herrick

CURRENT STATUS: active

MISSION SUMMARY

Operation Herrick is the code-name for the work UK Forces have been doing in Afghanistan since 2002, working to bring about stability in the country and maintain the forces of law and order, pushing back the Taliban and preventing them from using the country as a base for terrorism.

LATEST NEWS

TAKE A LOOK

Image Gallery

- Just desert for naval aviators in world’s toughest race
- Just desert for naval aviators in world’s toughest race
- Just desert for naval aviators in world’s toughest race
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- Exercise Scottish Lion
- CHF Commemorate Falkland Conflict
- CHF
- CHF
- Elements of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) arrive on HMS Illustrious
- Elements of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) arrive on HMS Illustrious
- Elements of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) arrive on HMS Illustrious
- Elements of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) arrive on HMS Illustrious
- Elements of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) arrive on HMS Illustrious
- Special deliveries for Junglies in Afghanistan
  
  Jill Love (top), Samantha Chatfield (middle), with (L to R) CPO Justin Blackford, Cpl Daniel Hall RM & PO Marc Jones
- Scram book presentation
- Scram book presentation
- Scram book presentation
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise ClockworkCombined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Combined Helicopter Force Operating In Exercise Clockwork
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- Commando helicopters come through harsh Arctic training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out a load lifting exercise as part of their arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway. The JHC base known as Clockwork provides survival and operational training and support facilities to enable aviation capable arms to survive, operate and fight in extreme C2 environments.
- CincFleet Receives Warm Reception In The Arctic
  
  Captain Matt Briers RN Commanding Officer CHF (Right) having lunch in a survival shelter with CINCFLEET (2nd from the right) during the Admirals tour of JHC Clockwork.
- CincFleet Receives Warm Reception In The Arctic
  
  Admiral Zambellas (Left) at the controls of a CHF Sea King Mk4 helicopter during a flight over the Bardufoss training areas.
- CincFleet Receives Warm Reception In The Arctic
  
  Admiral Zambellas (Left) walking out onto the flight line at Bardufoss airfield.
- Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway.
- Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway.
- Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway.
- Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway.
- Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway.
- Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter pilots and aircrews from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) carry out Arctic flying training, the training takes place some 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle at the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) base near Bardufoss, Norway.
- Rescue Team LtoR: Major West RM, Cpl Mark Haffenden RM Lt Cdr Neil Davidson RN (Aircraft Captain), C/Sgt Shane Knight RM
- Natalie being presented with her Wings by Rear Admiral Cunningham
- Natalie preparing for a mission on 846 Naval Air Squadron
- The damaged Sea King in Afghanistan
- The damaged Sea King in Afghanistan
- CPO Neil Copeland in repaired ZA 298 [Photo: Francis Stothard/Western Daily Press]
- CPO Neil Copeland admires the work of Vector Aerospace [Photo: Francis Stothard/Western Daily Press]
- Capt Matt Briers CO CHF escorts HRH from the medals presentation
- Prince Charles chats with Lt Crawford
- Prince Charles presents CPO Harvey with his medal.
- CHF personnel marching down the Mall to the grounds of Clarence House.
- Lt Cdr Birchall and Lt Cdr Milne leap out of a Sea king Helicopter from the Commando Helicopter Force
- Lt Cdr Birchall and Lt Cdr Milne ready for the challenge
- Naval Officers ready for gruelling Sahara Marathon
- One of the last flights of the SeaKing in Afganistan took place today over Mount Juno, Just outside Camp Bastion.
- One of the last flights of the SeaKing in Afganistan took place today over Mount Juno, Just outside Camp Bastion.
- Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 Helicopter above Camp Bastion Helmand Province Afghanistan
- ISAF personnel from 20 Armoued Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade boarding a Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 Helicopter at the passenger handling facillity at Camp Bastion
- CHF personnel in Wootton Bassett March Past
- Sea Kings Mk4 leave Afghanistan
- Sea Kings Mk4 leave Afghanistan
- Sea Kings Mk4 leave Afghanistan

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