Phoenix Rises – 809 Naval Air Squadron in first F-35 flight

809 Naval Air Squadron has completed its first operational sortie with the F-35B Lightning stealth fighter, piloted, maintained, dispatched, and recovered entirely by its own personnel, according to a press release.

This marks a significant milestone for the squadron, which was reactivated at the end of last year after a four-decade hiatus.

The squadron’s recent flight represents the first time the F-35B, a cutting-edge aircraft, has been operated solely by 809 Squadron. Rejoining the ranks alongside the RAF’s legendary 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron, 809 Squadron is one of the UK’s primary units delivering advanced fifth-generation fighter capabilities.

When not deployed on the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, these squadrons are based at RAF Marham.

Since re-forming in December, 809 has been steadily building its numbers and capabilities. Working alongside the 617 Squadron, 809’s engineers, mission planners, line personnel, and pilots recently achieved a major milestone by generating and completing their first independent flight.

“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, quoted in the news release.

“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.”

Known as the Immortals and distinguished by a phoenix on its badge, the 809 Squadron traces its history back to 1941, with significant roles during World War II and the Falklands conflict in 1982. The squadron is now preparing for its next major step: embarking on HMS Prince of Wales this autumn, which will mark their first flight operations from a deck in nearly 42 years.

“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,” Commander Smith stated in the press release.