On Thursday 4th July, 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) launched their first independent sortie since re-forming at the end of last year. After standing up as the second operational front line F-35B Lightning Squadron, 809 NAS have been 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 Sqn 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.
Commanding Officer of 809 NAS, Commander Nick Smith said “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. 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.”
