Joint Helicopter Support Squadron Explained

Unit Name:Joint Helicopter Support Squadron
Dates: – present
Country: United Kingdom
Branch:
Type:Joint service unit
Role:Helicopter support
Command Structure:Joint Aviation Command
Garrison:RAF Benson
Garrison Label:Home station
Motto:Together we deliver
Colours:-->
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The Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) is a joint organisation of the British Army and the Royal Air Force, located at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.

History

Following the introduction of the Boeing Chinook HC.1, the unit was formed in July 1982 during the Falklands War as the Joint Helicopter Support Unit (JHSU).[1] Personnel were drawn from the Royal Corps of Transport and Royal Army Ordnance Corps (both now amalgamated into the Royal Logistic Corps) plus the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Air Force.[2] After the war the unit was officially formed at RAF Odiham in Hampshire and RAF Gütersloh in Germany.

In September 2009, the unit became the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) following its merger with the RAF's Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT).

During 2016 the squadron moved from RAF Odiham to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.[3]

Role and operations

The squadron is tasked with providing a ground support capability to Joint Aviation Command's support helicopter force, including specialist skills in under-slung load operations and preparation of landing sites.[4] It has two teams on very high readiness which are able to contribute to contingent operations at short notice, such as natural disaster relief.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1 July 2022 . Joint Helicopter Support Squadron 40th Anniversary . 6 July 2022 . Royal Air Force . en-gb.
  2. Web site: 17 February 2002 . Joint Helicopter Support Unit (JHSU) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070310210547/http://www.army.mod.uk/jhsu/ . 10 March 2007 . 6 July 2022 . British Army.
  3. Web site: RAF Benson. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/377763476127/10153823960011128 . 2022-02-26 . limited. 30 September 2016. Facebook. 25 February 2019.
  4. Web site: RAF Benson - Joint Helicopter Support Squadron. Royal Air Force. 25 February 2019.