LONDON -- The squadron immortalized by the Dambusters raid of World War II has been reformed to fly the UK’s new F-35 fighter jets, the UK Defence Secretary has announced.
Gavin Williamson announced the new 617 Squadron after an event in Washington DC to mark the centenary of the RAF, which was attended by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier.
The naming of the new 617 Squadron follows the 75th anniversary of the original formation of the squadron, commonly referred to as the "Dambusters.".
Originally set up for the highly-specialized mission to knock out dams and disrupt industrial production in the Ruhr Valley of Germany, the new 617 Squadron will be the first to fly the UK’s brand new, state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets - the most advanced and dynamic fighter aircraft in the RAF’s 100-year history.
"The 617 Squadron name was made famous by ‘The Dambusters’, who played such a vital role in the Second World War," said Williamson. "So it is fitting that by flying the world’s most advanced fighter jets, our new squadron will be ensuring that the legend of world-leading air power lives on. The F-35B Lightning will defend our nation and ensure that Britain remains a pioneer in innovation, with a unique ability to adapt to this increasingly dangerous world."
The UK is currently flying the F-35B Lightning, a multi-role fighter jet capable of a wide range of operations. It is the world’s first jet to combine radar-evading stealth technology with supersonic speeds and short take-off and landing capability.
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