| Unit Name: | Joint Aviation Command |
| Dates: | 5 October 1999 – present |
| Country: |  United Kingdom |
| Branch: | Royal Navy |
| Type: | Tri-service command |
| Role: | Battlefield helicopter operations Army UAV operations |
| Size: |
|
| Command Structure: | Army Headquarters[1] |
| Garrison: | Marlborough Lines, Andover |
| Garrison Label: | Headquarters |
| Motto: | Across all boundaries |
| Colours: | --> |
| Colours Label: | --> |
| Equipment: | |
| Equipment Label: | Aircraft |
| Commander1: | Air Vice-Marshal Alastair Smith |
| Commander1 Label: | Current commander |
| Commander2: | Air-Vice Marshal David Niven |
| Commander2 Label: | Inaugural commander |
The Joint Aviation Command (JAC), previously known as Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), is a tri-service organisation uniting battlefield military helicopters of all three services of the British Armed Forces and unmanned aerial vehicles of the British Army for command and coordination purposes.[2]
Over the years, the grouping of all battlefield support helicopters operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Army Air Corps (AAC) and Royal Air Force (RAF) into one of the services had been discussed, however the Ministry of Defence (MOD) believed that any advantages would be outweighed by the damaging impact such a re-organisation would have on ethos, morale and operational effectiveness.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published by the MOD in July 1998, announced that a Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) would be formed, which would deliver training, standards, doctrinal development and support for operations in order to maximise the availability of battlefield helicopters and reinforce their growing importance in military operations. JHC would be a tri-Service organisation, with personnel remaining part of their parent service. The formation of JHC was considered by the MOD as one of the most important initiatives to result from the SDR. The command was expected to draw on the equipment, personnel and expertise of the single services and be charged with providing the Joint Force Commander tailored packages of battlefield helicopters (from one or more service), support equipment and personnel, to meet operational requirements. The MOD's intention was to provide a single focus for the transfer of best practice from service to service and for removing, over time, differences in extant operating procedures.
A Joint Helicopter Command Study Team was established to determine how JHC should operate. Four options for the location of JHC Headquarters were also examined, with RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, AAC Netheravon in Wiltshire, HQ Land Command at Erskine Barracks in Wiltshire and RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, being considered for the role.
Joint Helicopter Command was formed on 5 October 1999, bringing together the FAA's commando helicopters, the Army's attack and light utility helicopters, and the RAF's support helicopters.[3] The FAA's anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning helicopters, and FAA and RAF search and rescue helicopters were not included in JHC and remained under the control of the respective services. JHC Headquarters was established alongside HQ Land Command at Erskine Barracks, with Air-Vice Marshal David Niven being the inaugural commander.[4] [5]
In 2007, JHC had over 15,000 personnel under its command, some 8,000 of who were part of 16 Air Assault Brigade This included over 900 volunteer reserves from the Territorial Army and Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and 380 MOD civilians.[6]
Joint Helicopter Command's largest operation to date has been Operation Telic, the invasion of Iraq. Following the invasion, Joint Helicopter Command maintained units in Iraq, in support of British and coalition forces deployed there.[7] Another detachment was also maintained in Afghanistan, as part of Operation Herrick.[8]
In 2024, Joint Helicopter Command evolved into Joint Aviation Command with the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicle operations into the command.[9]
The majority of the United Kingdom's military helicopters come under JAC, although exceptions include the Royal Navy's anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning helicopters and the No. 1 Flying Training School.[10]
Air-Vice Marshal Alastair Smith became commander of Joint Helicopter Command in March 2023. JAC is part of Army Headquarters and has its headquarters at the British Army's Marlborough Lines, Andover in Hampshire.[11]
The JHC operation in Northern Ireland in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and military units as part of Operation Banner and later Operation Helvetic was named the Joint Helicopter Force Northern Ireland (JHF(NI)). JHF(NI) consisted of the following units based at JHC Flying Station Aldergrove:[12]
The JHC operation in Iraq as part of Operation Telic was named Joint Helicopter Force Iraq (JHF(I)).[15]
The following aircraft types served with JHF(I):
The JHC operation in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick was named Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan (JHF(A))[20] "Task Force Jaguar".[21]
The following aircraft types served with JHF(A):
An overview of formations from each service under Joint Aviation Command.[23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]
The organisation is commanded by a two-star officer from either the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.[33] Commander Joint Helicopter Command has been held by: