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The phoenix has risen.

For the first time an F-35B Lightning stealth fighter belonging to 809 Naval Air Squadron, flown by an 809 pilot, maintained, dispatched and recovered solely by 809 personnel, has conducted an operational sortie.

The squadron stood-up after a four-decade-long absence at the end of last year, joining the RAF’s legendary 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron as one of two front-line formations delivering fifth-generation fighter punch via the nation’s most advanced aircraft… and the sword of the UK’s two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

When not embarked on the flattops, the two stealth fighter squadrons – both comprising RN and RAF pilots and personnel, making them interchangeable when 809 is fully operational – call RAF Marham near King’s Lynn their home. 

Since re-forming in December, 809 has been growing in number, its men and women working hard alongside 617 Squadron to expand the number of personnel and complete training to allow them to operate independently.

Still working from the 617 Squadron’s site, engineers, mission planners, line personnel and pilots from 809 NAS generated the first aircraft for a completely independent flight, returning the 809 phoenix to the skies once again.  

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“This marks an important step forward for 809 NAS, having successfully self-generated serviceable aircraft that were in turn released for flight, dispatched, flown and recovered exclusively by 809 NAS personnel,” said Commander Nick Smith, Commanding Officer of 809 NAS

“This was not a small ask for what is still a small, growing team and the whole squadron should feel rightfully proud of the achievement.

“The team will now build on this foundation in preparation for our autumn embarkation in HMS Prince of Wales where the squadron will once again operate from a flight deck, for the first time in nearly 42 years.” 

Known as the Immortals and distinguished by a phoenix on its badge, the squadron, 809 traces its history back to 1941 in various incarnations – mostly in World War 2, then resurrected again briefly in 1982 during the Falklands conflict, the most recent of its eight battle honours.