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Joint Helicopter Support Squadron 40th Anniversary

Image shows aviators looking towards helicopter carrying under-slung load in the desert.
Joint Helicopter Support Squadron deployed on Exercise Vortext Warrior, in the desert.
The Joint Helicopter Support Squadron mark their 40th anniversary on 1 July 2022 at RAF Benson. Born out of the Falkland Islands conflict, Joint Helicopter Support Squadron have provided crucial battlefield helicopter support to every rotary wing operation since.

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Image shows aviators running towards helicopter ready to take off.

Joint Helicopter Support Squadron originally formed in 1982 as the Joint Helicopter Support Unit amidst the Falkland Islands conflict. Joint Helicopter Support Unit was created to form a dedicated team of personnel specialising in under-slung loads and helicopter landing sites.

Image shows aviators attaching a load to the under-sling loads of a helicopter.
Joint Helicopter Support Squadron deployed on Exercise Vortext Warrior, in the desert.

Following the end of the Falkland Islands conflict, and comprising to this day of personnel from the British Army and Royal Air Force, the Unit stood up formally at RAF Gutersloh, Germany, and RAF Odiham, Hampshire.

Image shows aviator walking as helicopter takes off.
Joint Helicopter Support Squadron supporting Wainfleet Floods.

In September 2009 Joint Helicopter Support Unit reformed as Joint Helicopter Support Squadron at RAF Odiham. The Mobile Air Operations Team who were based at RAF Benson amalgamated with the Squadron to provide a full support service to the Support Helicopter Force. Joint Helicopter Support Squadron moved to its current home at RAF Benson in 2016 from where it supports all three Services with specialist advice. They also support the Defence Heli-Handling School, which runs and delivers all helicopter handling training across Defence.

Image shows aviators tending to cargo load with helicopter taking off in snowy environment.
Joint Helicopter Support Squadron deployed to Norway on cold weather training.

Joint Helicopter Support Squadron delivers and sustains the specialist helicopter handling and under-slung capability for operations and exercises worldwide, including Operations from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, to Eastern Europe and the Falkland Islands. They have provided support to diverse humanitarian activities from hurricane relief in the Caribbean to flood relief in the UK. They also support exercises with Joint Helicopter Command, NATO and Joint Expeditionary Forces. The Squadron is held at Very High Readiness and has two teams on standby for contingent operations in the UK and abroad.

Image shows aviators tending to cargo load underneath hovering helicopter.
Joint Helicopter Support Squadron supporting Wainfleet Floods.

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 Read more about the Falklands conflict

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