Joint Helicopter Support Squadron

The Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) is a joint organisation of the British Army and the Royal Air Force, located at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.

History
The unit was formed in July 1982 as the Joint Helicopter Support Unit (JHSU) at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, following the introduction of the Boeing Chinook HC.1 Helicopter. Personnel were drawn from the Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) and Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) (both now amalgamated into the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC)) plus the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Air Force (RAF).

In September 2009, the unit became the Joint Helicopter Support Squadron (JHSS) following its merger with the RAF's Mobile Air Operations Team (RAF MAOT).

During 2016 the squadron moved from RAF Odiham to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.

Role and operations
The unit is tasked with providing a ground support capability to the RAF's support helicopter force, including specialist skills in under-slung load operations and preparation of landing sites.