The first fully remote handling shutdown at JET has been completed with the replacement of the JET divertor modules. This so called 'Remote Tile Exchange' (RTE) was undertaken over a 15 week period between Feb and May 1998.The remote handling equipment used during the RTE was prepared as individual items and as an integrated system to satisfy the functional, performance and reliability requirements of a long term remote handling operation. The equipment was qualified for operation using a systematic and formal method. The equipment has been supported in operation by a team of engineers and technicians with formal procedures for dealing with failures and by the implementation of a routine inspection and test regime.The equipment has functioned well during the shutdown and its good performance has facilitated the remote handling operations in the planned timescale. The equipment has been subject to faults and failures which have been dealt with by the support engineers with minimal interruption to operations.This paper describes the experience gained from preparing and supporting the JET remote handling equipment in this first ever fully remote handling operation.