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| Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing |
| Caption | Insignia |
| Dates | 2001–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force, Army Air Corps |
| Type | Special operations aviation |
| Role | Special forces air mobility and support |
| Garrison | RAF Odiham, RAF Benson |
Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing
The Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing provides dedicated aviation support to Special Air Service, Special Boat Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and other United Kingdom special operations formations, delivering rotary-wing and fixed-wing mobility, fire support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It integrates elements from the Royal Air Force, Army Air Corps, Royal Navy and allied partners to enable clandestine insertion, extraction and logistics for high-risk operations in theaters including Afghanistan, Iraq and counter-terrorism missions at home. The Wing draws on doctrine from Joint Special Forces Command, interoperates with United States Special Operations Command, NATO Allied Command Operations and coordinates with civil agencies such as Ministry of Defence components and foreign liaison units.
The Wing was established in the early 21st century to consolidate aviation assets supporting Special Air Service and Special Boat Service operations after lessons learned in the 1990s Balkans interventions and the 2001 War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Its formation followed reviews influenced by operations in Gulf War (1990–1991), Operation Banner, and the intelligence-driven raids during the War on Terror. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s it adapted to the requirements of Operation Herrick, Operation Telic and coalition campaigns alongside forces from the United States Army, French Armed Forces and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.
The Wing comprises squadrons and flights drawn from the Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps, including dedicated helicopter squadrons, maritime aviation detachments and fixed-wing support elements. Units historically associated include squadrons stationed at RAF Odiham, RAF Benson, and forward elements at RAF Mount Pleasant and expeditionary airfields. It operates alongside parent formations such as the Joint Special Forces Command and coordinates with the Defence Helicopter Flying School for rotary training pipelines, while maintaining liaison with the Royal Marines and Intelligence Corps.
Primary responsibilities encompass clandestine air mobility for Special Air Service and Special Boat Service teams, direct support for counter-terrorism operations, precision insertion and extraction, aerial reconnaissance in support of Special Reconnaissance Regiment missions, and CASEVAC for special operations casualties. The Wing provides tasking for covert maritime interdiction with HMS Ocean-class carriers and supports stabilization efforts during multinational operations with NATO task forces. It also undertakes airborne command-and-control alignment with Airborne Early Warning assets and supports interagency frameworks involving MI6 and Police Service of Northern Ireland in domestic security contexts.
Aircraft types assigned have included variants of the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk derivatives, and specialized fixed-wing platforms adapted for special operations. Fleet configurations incorporate defensive aids suites, electro-optical systems from suppliers aligned with Thales Group and BAE Systems, and communications suites interoperable with Skynet satellite links. Rotary assets are modified for low-observable ingress and fast-roping compatible decks, with aerial refuelling support from tankers such as Voyager (aircraft) in extended-range operations.
The Wing has supported long-duration campaigns including Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, Operation Shader-related special operations coordination, and contingency missions during the Iraq War. It has conducted joint taskings with United States Special Operations Command elements, supported evacuation operations during crises in Libya and contributed to counter-piracy and maritime security patrols alongside Combined Maritime Forces. Domestic counter-terrorism contributions include standby posture for Home Office-authorized counter-terrorism raids and support to Scotland Yard in high-threat protective operations.
Aircrew and support personnel undergo rigorous selection emphasizing interoperability with Special Air Service and Special Boat Service squadrons, including survival training at Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) centers, maritime insertion training with Special Boat Service instructors, and joint exercises with United States Army Special Forces and French Commandement des Opérations Spéciales. Training pipelines involve night-vision operations, low-level navigation exercises in terrain modeled on Helmand Province and amphibious insertion practice with Royal Marines. Personnel progress through doctrinal courses aligned with Joint Warfare Publication standards and NATO special operations guidance.
Command falls under coordination between Joint Special Forces Command and component headquarters of the Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps, with tasking authority frequently delegated to mission-level commanders. Logistic support is provided through integrated supply chains involving Defence Equipment and Support, maintenance units at RAF Benson and contractor partnerships with industry primes such as Lockheed Martin. Liaison officers maintain direct links to allied commands including Special Operations Command Europe and domestic agencies such as Ministry of Defence Police to ensure operational security and sustainment.
Category:British military aviation units Category:Special forces of the United Kingdom