The Commando Helicopter Force is made up of four Naval Air Squadrons of Sea Kings and Lynx helicopters which support Royal Marines and other troops on the front line afloat and ashore. Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) consists of four squadrons, manned by Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel, under the command of one headquarters based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The pilots and aircrew of CHF are among the most versatile and well-trained in the rotary world. Once qualified they can operate in the most extreme conditions possible, from sub zero winter conditions north of the arctic circle to the tropical jungles and deserts around the world. As a maritime force, they operate from a variety of Royal Navy and RFA ships and are the experts in specialist amphibious assault. It was during operations in Borneo in the 1960s that earned them the nickname Junglies from the troops, a name which both current and veteran members of CHF covet to this day. Where Junglie aircrew go, their support units follow. CHF can deploy anywhere in the world, fully self-sufficient, with stores, engineering, vehicles, accommodation, and a commando and parachute-trained mobile air operations team. And even its own chaplain. Every member of CHF who is not commando trained is given a five-week military fieldcraft and infantry skills course so that they can survive alongside ground troops around the world, and also are able to operate and fight effectively as an expeditionary aviation unit. The training is tough, but it prepares all personnel for even more arduous conditions, with an arctic cold weather survival course and frequent environmental training courses to follow throughout the career. The Junglies are unique, equally at home at sea or on land, familiar with RAF and Army counterparts yet proud members of the Fleet Air Arm. Their ethos is 'train hard, fight easy' rings true to this day. I was outside the Bowl this afternoon when I heard the 'thump thump' of rotars and these two Sea King Mk 4 Commando's flew over.....I don't know where they'd been or where they were going, they just flew out into the North Sea.....made a pleasant change from the usual Police 'chopper'.....