Dambusters to fly once more at controls of new stealth jet

THE DAMBUSTERS squadron has been reformed to fly Britain’s new stealth fighter jets next year, the MOD has announced.

With its reputation as a cutting-edge elite force, it seems appropriate that the newly reformed 617 Squadron has been handed the controls to the Mod’s most advanced combat jet ever – the multi-million pound stealth F-35B jet. Wg Cdr John Butcher, who is commanding the new team, said the original Dambusters would have been “quite amazed” by the new warplane.

The 617 Squadron, which was disbanded in 2014, was formed at RAF Scampton during the Second World War on March 21 1943, specifically for the task of destroying major dams in Germany using the famous “bouncing

‘We are bringing very special technology into service – once again for a very, very special mission’

bombs” – a goal that was achieved during a daring raid on May 16 that year.

Wg Cdr Butcher, who had the chance to fly the jets for the first time three weeks ago, said the new technology would “really chime” with his predecessors. “They were formed nearly 75 years ago for a very special purpose, and that was to bring cutting-edge technology into service for a very special mission,” he said.

“And for me I can see a lot of parallels with what we are being asked to do now. We are bringing very special technology into service – once again for a very, very special mission, which is to bring stealth and combat air capability to UK defence. I think there is a nice link there between what our forefathers did with 617 Squadron, and what we are now doing.”

Britain has already signed a contract for the first batch of 48 jets, which are estimated to cost £9.1billion by 2025, including training and maintenance.

Wg Cdr Butcher has been based at US Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on America’s east coast since August, and had to undertake weeks of ground school training before his first flight over the Atlantic Ocean. Next summer the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots are due to return as 617 Squadron to RAF Marham, Norfolk, to fly from both land and sea.