The majority of UK service helicopters are assigned to the Joint Helicopter Command which is under the command of C-in-C Land Forces. The primary role of the JHC is to deliver and sustain effective Battlefield Helicopter and Air Assault assets, operationally capable under all environmental conditions, in order to support the UK's defence missions and tasks. Major formations under JHC command are as follows:

• All Army Aviation Units

• RAF Support Helicopter Force

• Commando Helicopter Force

• 16 Air Assault Brigade

• Combat Support Units

• Combat Service Support Units

• Joint Helicopter Command and Standards Wing

Our estimate for the JHC service personnel total is approximately 13,000 from all three services.

Our figures suggest that during early 2009 the JHC had about 354 aircraft (forward fleet) available as follows:

In a normal non-operational environment (with the exception of Lynx), each individual aircraft is resourced to fly approximately 400 hours per year. The Lynx fleet is generally resourced for 23,900 hours, which averages about 405 hours per aircraft.