Deployments

Mission complete: helicopters return from eastern Europe

01 September 2022

List View Slide Show

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After initially being stood-up with just 24 hours’ notice to move in February, the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) deployment on Operation Peleda came to an end on 14 August 2022.
Tasked with supporting the UK’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Europe, working alongside NATO, Joint Expeditionary Forces and UK partner-nations and allies, JHC helicopters had a decisive impact on over 24 military exercises from their deployed operating bases in Lithuania and Estonia.

2 / 5

Tasked with supporting the UK’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Europe, working alongside NATO, Joint Expeditionary Forces and UK partner-nations and allies, JHC helicopters had a decisive impact on over 24 military exercises from their deployed operating bases in Lithuania and Estonia.
3 / 5

Each of the Apache, Wildcat, Puma and Chinook helicopter detachments that were deployed throughout the 24-week long operation rapidly set about delivering their core tasks of lift, find, attack, and aviation command and control across north-eastern Europe.
From live firing serials on Ex Saber Strike to troop insertions on Ex Griffin Thunder; the UK’s JHC helicopters even facilitated a strategically important materiel transport mission for the Estonian Navy, delivering a hefty 7.5 tonnes of supplies to Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland.

4 / 5

From live firing serials on Ex Saber Strike to troop insertions on Ex Griffin Thunder; the UK’s JHC helicopters even facilitated a strategically important materiel transport mission for the Estonian Navy, delivering a hefty 7.5 tonnes of supplies to Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland.
The unique and versatile nature of battlefield aviation assets also facilitated some welcomed engagements with their host nations and allies, from meeting and flying the Lithuanian President across an active training area, to supporting the Estonian Victory Day celebrations. JHC’s ability to deploy forces at speed, requiring little in way of initial support to operate globally, no matter the environment, made certain that they completed their mission and then some.

5 / 5

The unique and versatile nature of battlefield aviation assets also facilitated some welcomed engagements with their host nations and allies, from meeting and flying the Lithuanian President across an active training area, to supporting the Estonian Victory Day celebrations. JHC’s ability to deploy forces at speed, requiring little in way of initial support to operate globally, no matter the environment, made certain that they completed their mission and then some.

BEN 20220613 137 Ex GRIFFIN THUNDER Puma Support 0417

Tasked with supporting the UK’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Europe, working alongside NATO, Joint Expeditionary Forces and UK partner-nations and allies, JHC helicopters had a decisive impact on over 24 military exercises from their deployed operating bases in Lithuania and Estonia.

Each of the Apache, Wildcat, Puma and Chinook helicopter detachments that were deployed throughout the 24-week long operation rapidly set about delivering their core tasks of lift, find, attack, and aviation command and control across north-eastern Europe.

From live firing serials on Ex Saber Strike to troop insertions on Ex Griffin Thunder; the UK’s JHC helicopters even facilitated a strategically important materiel transport mission for the Estonian Navy, delivering a hefty 7.5 tonnes of supplies to Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland.

The unique and versatile nature of battlefield aviation assets also facilitated some welcomed engagements with their host nations and allies, from meeting and flying the Lithuanian President across an active training area, to supporting the Estonian Victory Day celebrations. JHC’s ability to deploy forces at speed, requiring little in way of initial support to operate globally, no matter the environment, made certain that they completed their mission and then some.