Joint Helicopter Support Squadron

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Joint Helicopter Support Squadron The Helicopter Handling Specialists of the United Kingdom Armed Forces Joint Aviation Command.

30/09/2026

Right place, right time.🚁

Whilst one of our teams was conducting an underslung load serial on the Load Park, a Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook gave our team a front-row view of a running landing.

Rather than transitioning into the hover, the Chinook carries forward speed onto the runway, touching down and rolling out. Aircrews regularly practise running landings, keeping the technique current for situations where a conventional vertical landing may not be the best option.

Just another day on the load park.🚁🪝

24/09/2026

As the Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook prepares for a underslung load serial on the Load Park, our teams are making their final checks on the ground in the background.

PPE checked. Underslung load rigging checked. Static probe up.

Then it’s heads down, brace for the downwash and get ready for the hook-up as the Chinook moves overhead. 🚁🪝

15/09/2026

While the Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook prepares on the RAF Benson Load Park, our teams are doing exactly the same in the background.

Final PPE checks complete. Underslung load rigging checked. Everything made ready before the aircraft moves in.

Once the static probe is raised, the team is set.

Then it’s heads down and brace for the downwash as the Chinook comes overhead and the serial begins.🚁🪝

14/09/2026

Helicopter Support in the Falklands🇫🇰🚁🪝

Our teams are deployed to the Falkland Islands, where JHSS maintains a standing commitment supporting 905 Expeditionary Air Wing as part of the Helicopter Support Section.

Here, one of our teams conducts underslung load training with a Bristow operated Sikorsky S-92A maintaining the skills required to safely prepare, control and handle external loads beneath the aircraft.

The Falklands commitment sees our personnel supporting a wide range of helicopter tasks. From internal and external cargo handling to passenger movements, and essential supplies. Our teams help keep personnel and equipment moving across the islands.

A very different operating environment, but the same specialist helicopter handling skills used wherever defence requires them.

Quad bike going airborne at Shuttleworth. 🚁Supporting the RAF Chinook Role Demonstration 2026 at the Shuttleworth Milita...
10/09/2026

Quad bike going airborne at Shuttleworth. 🚁

Supporting the RAF Chinook Role Demonstration 2026 at the Shuttleworth Military Air Show, our ground team stood at the ready as the Chinook moved into position for the underslung load serial.

With the aircraft overhead, the team hooked up the Quad Bike before moving clear and allowing the Chinook to take the load.

From the initial hook-up through to the lift, it was another opportunity to demonstrate the teamwork and coordination required for underslung load operations, while showcasing one of the Chinook’s key capabilities in front of the crowds at Shuttleworth. 🚁🪝

📸: Thrust Aviation Imagery

08/09/2026

Two for one. 🚁

One Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook heading out from the main runway, with another repositioning on the load park.

Two Chinooks. One shot. Perfect timing.

04/09/2026

Complex loads, built through repetition. 🚁

A Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook departs the Load Park carrying a 105mm Light Gun on the forward hook and a Flatrack on the aft hook.

Serials like this are all about teamwork and repetition. Conducting the same loads multiple times allows our ground teams to build experience, refine their drills and maintain confidence working with different types of equipment and load configurations.

From artillery pieces to vehicles, flatracks and netted loads, every serial adds another layer of experience to our ground teams.🚁🪝

30/08/2026

RAF Syerston | Chinook Role Demonstration 🚁

It’s not all about what happens underneath the aircraft.

As Defence Subject Matter Experts in underslung loads, our role also sees us working inside the aircraft and supporting the wider capabilities demonstrated by the Chinook.

During the RAF Syerston Chinook Role Demonstration, one of our team members and the Quad Bike Driver rapidly disembarked from the Chinook before moving straight onto the Quad Bike to de-rig which had been delivered by underslung load moments earlier.

From hook-up to de-rig, and everything in between, another side of the capability we provide in support of the

28/08/2026

Preparing for the lift. 🚁🪝

After arriving on the RAF Benson Load Park, the CH-47 Chinook positions itself ready to begin the underslung load serial.

Before the first load can be lifted, a member of the aircrew disembarks and moves beneath the aircraft to configure the strops ready for use.

If you look closely, you can see the work taking place underneath the aircraft. one of the many preparations required before our ground team can begin hooking up the loads.

27/08/2026

Simple loads. Fundamental skills. 🚁

A Royal Air Force CH-47 Chinook operated by 27 Squadron conducts a underslung load serial on the RAF Benson Load Park, with a 10m strop on the aft hook and an 6m strop on the forward hook carrying two netted loads.

Netted loads are one of the most basic configurations we work with, but they’re fundamental to underslung load operations — reinforcing the core skills, procedures and teamwork required before moving onto more complex loads.

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RAF Benson
Wallingford
OX106AA

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