The historic aircraft made its first arrival at a Hampshire base, RAF Odiham, on November 22 1980.
To mark the milestone the RAF is running its 40 Faces Campaign to show off the significant contribution the Chinook has made to UK defence.
People with stories of their time with the Chinook Force have been asked to share their memories covering its full 40 years of service.
The Chinook has been involved in every major conflict since the Falklands War, including seeing action in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan.
Here are a selection of great photos showing the life of the Chinook.
1. Celebrating 40 years of the Chinook helicopter
Coldstream Guards in a final push
Soldiers of B multiple, 9 Platoon running up to a Chinook Helicopter for extraction.
3 Company, the 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards took part in a joint operation with the Afghan National Army in the Babaji area of operations. The task was to dominate the ground in the area south of Patrol Base 3, to disrupt insurgent’s movements as well as engaging with the locals to develop relationships with the local populous. Photo: Corporal Barry Lloyd RLC
2. Celebrating 40 years of the Chinook helicopter
Flying from the east coast, northwards up to RAF Boulmer, the Chinooks carried out a tactical extraction of a downed pilot during a simulated training exercise. Photo: SAC Nicholas Egan RAF
3. Celebrating 40 years of the Chinook helicopter
Landing Zone
Commandos shield themselves from the down blast of an RAF Chinook helicopter which has just dropped them in the desert at the start of a patrol during a training exercise in Oman 2003.
Picture: PO[Phot] Steve Lewis Photo: PO[Phot] Steve Lewis
4. Celebrating 40 years of the Chinook helicopter
Chinook adorned in its double rainbow at Fleetlands, Gosport
Picture: Shaun Roster. Photo: Shaun Roster