207 Squadron has been honoured as the training force for the new F-35 Lightnings.
The announcement was made during a visit to RAF Marham by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, and the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones.
The squadron will train future Royal Air Force and Royal Navy F-35B Lightning pilots at the base, which is undergoing redevelopment work to prepare it for the arrival of the new fighters next summer.
The two Chiefs visited the base to view the progress of the £250M infrastructure works, which include vertical landing pads, the renewal of runways and taxiways and new technical and training facilities, offices and hangars.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said: “I am very pleased to announce that the Operational Conversion Unit for the UK’s F-35B Lightning fleet will be 207 Squadron. The squadron has a proud and distinguished history, not only as an RAF squadron but as one of the earliest squadrons of the Royal Naval Air Service which, with the Royal Flying Corps, came together to form the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918.
“Preparations for the arrival of the first UK Lightnings next year are progressing well. The investment of £250M in infrastructure here at RAF Marham will ensure the station has the facilities to match this world-class aircraft when it arrives next year. As the home of the UK Lightning Force the station will be at the heart of UK airpower for decades to come.”
Admiral Sir Philip Jones First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff said: “207 Squadron will play an important part in the future of both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, and rightly reflects our shared aviation heritage. I was in the United States earlier this month to meet some of the pilots and maintainers who are getting to grips with the F-35B. They’re working brilliantly together and today I’ve seen the same sense of purpose from those readying RAF Marham for their arrival.
“HMS Queen Elizabeth is the first carrier in the world designed from the outset to operate a fifth generation combat aircraft. Crucially, a second ship – HMS Prince of Wales – is on its way, which will give the UK a continuous Carrier Strike capability. I have every expectation that, in time, this combination of carriers and jets will represent a powerful and important strategic conventional deterrent.”
The arrival of the first fifth generation fighter is expected next summer, when the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots currently training in the United States, will return as 617 Squadron, the Dambusters. The Lightning OCU will stand up as 207 Squadron on 1 July 2019.
Image: © Crown Copyright. A Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2016, held at RAF Fairford.
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