On 17th April 2018, the legendary Royal Air Force 617 Dambusters Squadron was reformed in Washington DC.
The Squadron Standard was paraded before the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, at a ceremony in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington before Officer Commanding 617 Squadron, Wing Commander John Butcher, asked for permission to reform the squadron.
Pilots and ground crew have for the past few years been training in the United States on the F-35B Lightning stealth aircraft and will soon return to RAF Marham, the unit’s future home. 617 Squadron has become the first front line squadron and is manned by both Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel.
A Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flies over the Derwent Dam 65 years to the day after the famous Dambuster raid known as Operation CHASTISE [Crown Copyright/OGL: Sgt Graham Spark]
