Commando Helicopter Force

Sea King HC4 from the CHF

The Fleet Air Arm's Commando Helicopter Force is made up of 4 Royal Naval Air squadrons, all based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset:

• 845 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King HC.4 helicopters)
• 846 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King HC.4/HAS.6)
• 847 Naval Air Squadron (Lynx AH7 helicopters)
• 848 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King HC.4 helicopters)

The primary role of the CHF is to provide airlift support to 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines although they also support UKSF operations. One specially trained sub-unit of 848 squadron, known as M flight, are specially trained to support SBS Maritime Counter Terrorism operations.

• During the Falklands Conflict, Sea Kings from 845/846 Squadron inserted SAS/SBS onto the islands ahead of the main landings. 846 Squadron, flying at night with Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), inserted men from D Squadron, SAS onto Pebble Island for its raid on the Argentine airstrip there.
• The SBS fast-roped from Sea Kings when they stormed an Argentine spy ship, in the first ever assault of its kind.
• Royal Navy Sea Kings from the CHF delivered SBS sniper/cover teams onto the British Embassy in Kuwait City during the operation to secure it at the end of the 1991 Gulf War.
• In late 2001, along with Chinooks from 7 Squadron, RAF, CHF Sea Kings flew SAS/SBS teams and follow up support units onto the MV Nisha cargo ship, which was suspected of carrying WMDs towards the English coast.

more info on the Sea King HC.4

Several Sea King HAS.6 ASW (anti-submarine warfare) helicopters have been converted into Commando transports (HAS.6(CR)) and are operated by 846 NAS .

The CHF also operate Lynx AH.7 helicopters. Owned by the Army, but flown by Royal Marines and Royal Navy pilots, the Lynx AH.7s flown by 847 NAS are used for reconnaissance, utlity and strike missions.

more info on the Lynx AH.7

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