Commando Helicopter Force

Commando Helicopter Force

Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) is a group of 4 squadrons and supporting elements, integrated under the command of an HQ, established to operate helicopters in support of the UK armed forces. It is a combined Royal Navy/Royal Marine force flying Sea King, Lynx and Gazelle helicopters and specializes in amphibious warfare. The Force operates world wide from its base at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton in Somerset.



The main job of CHF is to support the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade. Being part of the Royal Navy, 3 Cdo Bde are an amphibious force who can deploy by sea and then fight on land. CHF Sea King helicopters help to move the troops and their equipment from ship to shore and around the battlefield. Lynx and Gazelle aircraft conduct reconnaissance and attack enemy targets. Although the Gazelle is not armed itself, it can direct attacks by the Lynx and other aircraft or artillery.



The flying tasks are diverse and challenging, calling for tactical low level flight by day and night in all weather. All CHF personnel are trained to operate from the field using so-called Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) which are temporary sites close to the action. Aircrew and groundcrew alike are taught the military skills and field craft needed to cope in environments such as the desert or arctic. CHF are not restricted to supporting the Royal Marines. We are part of the Joint Helicopter Force (Navy, Army, Air Force) which supports UK Land Forces generally.

The four Squadrons consist of:

845 Naval Air Squadron



845 Naval Air Squadron primarily provides 3 Commando Brigade of the Royal Marines with tactical troop transport and load lifting helicopters. Together with all elements of the Commando Helicopter Force it is based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.

845 operate the Sea King Mk 4 which has a clear cabin space to minimise weight and to maximise the size of cargo carried. It is capable of carrying underslung loads of up to 6000 pounds such as 105mm guns, Land Rovers and air defence missile systems. 26 troops can be accommodated in the cabin. The Mk4 has a comprehensive self defence suite to detect and deter anti-aircraft radar, missiles and guns.

The Squadron can perform many other secondary roles. These include: Search and Rescue, Casualty Evacuation, Special Forces operations, Humanitarian operations, Ground force suppression, Abseiling, Parachuting, Assistance in Combat Search and Rescue.

Motto: Audio Hostem - "I hear the enemy"


846 Naval Air Squadron



846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) is one of four ‘Junglie’ Squadrons based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. Equipped with 10 Sea King Mk4 Commando helicopters the Squadron is primarily dedicated to the support of 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines. The nickname ‘Junglie’ evolved during the Borneo Campaign of 1963-66, as it was within the Indonesian jungle that the Squadron demonstrated how versatile naval helicopters can be. Since then 846 NAS have repeatedly proved their ability to deliver troops with the speed and mobility in inhospitable terrain that is essential to Commando operations.

Motto: Semper Instans - Always Threatening


847 Naval Air Squadron



847 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) provides 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines (3 Cdo Bde RM), one of Britain's rapid response shock formations, with reconnaissance and anti armour support. It is the Brigade's primary anti-tank strike resource capable of engaging armour with TOW missiles at long range. The Squadron is based at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset but spends most of the year on deployments around the world.

The Squadron is split into two flights. A Flight, operating eight Gazelle AH1 helicopters, whose primary role is reconnaissance for the Brigade Commander. Pilots however are trained to fulfil a number of other tasks including casualty evacuation, Fighter Aircraft Control, the direction and control of artillery fire and limited movement of men and material around the battlefield. B Flight consists of six Lynx Mk 7 aircraft equipped with TOW missiles and thermal imaging sights. Enemy tanks can be engaged from 4 km away with missiles that can defeat any modern armour. The Lynx is also suited to moving small numbers of infantry around the battlefield at speed.

3 Cdo Bde's combat power and ability to strike the enemy in depth is greatly enhanced by 847 NAS.

Motto: Alto Ex Concutimus "We Strike From On High"


848 Naval Air Squadron



The Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) enjoys a reputation for high standards of professionalism and flexibility and this is in no small part, attributable to the exacting and thorough instruction given by 848 Naval Air Squadron (NAS).

During its 55 year history, 848 Squadron has been disbanded and reformed several times but now has a more permanent standing, having been made the Commando Helicopter Training Squadron, based at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton. With a complement of one hundred ratings and thirty officers, the Squadron is responsible for the instruction of up to sixty pilots and aircrewmen each year. Operating the Sea King Mk 4, pilots undertake Advanced Flying Training - how to handle emergencies and how to fly with sole reference to instruments -before crewing up with the aircrewmen, taken from Royal Navy Ratings and Royal Marines, to learn how to operate the aircraft in a tactical environment during operational flying training.

The Squadron also trains more than one hundred and fifty helicopter maintainers annually before sending them to the front line. Aircrew and maintainers receive military and amphibious training and are taught how to operate in the field and from the deck of a ship. 848 NAS is also committed to numerous UK maritime operations and airborne support for the Royal Marines.

Motto: Accipe Hoc "Take that"

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