‘We’re true to the heritage of being at the cutting edge’
it starts this new chapter in its history is a huge privilege. If I could show Gibson around the F-35B Lightning and introduce him to the team, I hope he would feel the same spirit and determination that he created in 1943.
“I also think he would be very happy to see the squadron once again re-forming for a very special purpose, staying true to the heritage of being at the cutting edge of aviation. I think he would like that.”
He added: “Gibson and his men flew at very low level to the target, with limited enemy awareness of what they were doing.
“The F-35B Lightning uses stealth technology to hide from enemy radar systems, effectively making the aircraft invisible.
“This is a significant tactical advantage as an enemy cannot fight what he cannot see.”
He said that in 1943 Wing Commander Gibson's Lancasters had VHF radio telephones installed so he could have direct speech communication with all of the aircraft.
This was unusual for bomber aircraft at that time but essential for him to co-ordinate the mission.
Wing Commander Butcher added: “Today in the F-35B Lightning we have a datalink that automatically shares information between pilots in real time, without even the need for voice communications. It's a little like all of us using smartphones at the same time, we all see the same information on the same apps.
“It's similar to the way your smartphone picks dates and times out of your emails and puts them in your calendar.” The squadron has been working alongside the US Marines, Air Force and Navy during training.
The new 617 Squadron will be a combined team of Royal Navy and RAF personnel who will fly from both land and sea, based at RAF Marham, Norfolk, and deployed periodically on the Queen Elizabeth class carriers. They will return to the UK in 2018 from their training base of United States Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina.
Wing Commander Butcher and 617 Squadron will show off the Lightning in the UK this summer at the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough Air Show.