[4] The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published by the MOD in July 1998, announced that a Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) would be formed, which would deliver training, standards, doctrinal development and support for operations in order to maximise the availability of battlefield helicopters and reinforce their growing importance in military operations.

[6] The command was expected to draw on the equipment, personnel and expertise of the single services and be charged with providing the Joint Force Commander tailored packages of battlefield helicopters (from one or more service), support equipment and personnel, to meet operational requirements.

[4] A Joint Helicopter Command Study Team was established to determine how JHC should operate.

Following the invasion, Joint Helicopter Command maintained units in Iraq, in support of British and coalition forces deployed there.

JHF(NI) consisted of the following units based at Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove:[14] The JHC operation in Iraq as part of Operation Telic was named Joint Helicopter Force Iraq (JHF(I)).