OC 617 Squadron
@OC617Sqn
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617 Sqn is the UK's front-line Lightning Squadron. Jointly manned by Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel, delivering combat air from the land or sea.
Joined January 2013
My grandfather was a Lancaster pilot during the Second World War and he would have loved this photo. ‘Inspire’ is one of the themes for the @RoyalAirForce #RAF100 celebrations; he was my inspiration to do what I do.
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Thank you to all who took time to remember the ingenuity, bravery & loss associated with the Dams Raid. The current Dambusters are deployed & training to cutting edge tactics keeping the foundation on which we were founded alive today. We will remember them. Apres Moi Le Deluge.
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Lest we forget. Rest in peace Johnny and all those Dambusters no longer with us. Gone but never forgotten.
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Happy 100th birthday to the senior member of #617Sqn Sqn Ldr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson MBE DFM. A #Dambuster hero and all round legend 🍾🥂🎉🎂
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617 Squadron is 75 years old today; Happy Birthday Dambusters!. Apres Moi Le Deluge.
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Thank you @MB_EjectEject.
A British F-35B aircraft crashed earlier today into the Mediterranean sea. The pilot ejected successfully in their Martin-Baker US16E Ejection Seat and safely returned to the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
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Refuelling off a @RoyalAirForce Voyager this week in preparation for our move to RAF Marham this Summer. It was brilliant to be tanking with all UK crews and all the Lightning pilots here are all 617 Squadron. @RAFMarhamMedia @StnCdrRAFMarham
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Happy Birthday 617 Squadron! Start of a special day of remembrance and celebration in the memory of all those fine men and women who served before us. #Dambusters80 @RAF_Marham @RoyalAirForce @RoyalNavy
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I had the very great privilege of spending much time with Johnnie Johnson again last night. We talked about the spirit of the Dambusters; what it meant then, what it’s meant since then, and what it means now. We both agree that there is nothing like it and it has not changed!
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Sat in my Grandfathers old seat getting his perspective. Quite incredible to imagine what it was like for him and for so many thousands of others. The smile is the happiness of connecting with and thinking about him; he was my friend and my inspiration. #RAF100
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74 years ago tonight, Wg Cdr Guy Gibson led his Sqn to destroy the dams. I am here tonight remembering those brave men and the lives lost.
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‘They went with songs to the battle, they were young,.Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;.They fell with their faces to the foe.’.#LestWeForget
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Sharing my birthday with Wg Cdr Guy Gibson in what would have been his centenary year in the RAF’s centenary year! @RoyalAirForce . Proud to be forming the same Squadron for different, but very special purposes 75 years after he did.
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We have just held an act of remembrance for those who died on the Dambusters raid at Flt Lt Hopgood's aircraft crash site. #WeWillRemember
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617 Squadron will be reformed next year and once again for a very special purpose.
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The Canadian Lancaster at the great British fly-in @airandspace celebrating #RAF100 for the @RoyalAirForce. The markings on this Lancaster (AJ-G) are the same that Wg Cdr Guy Gibson had on his as the first @OC617Sqn for the dams raid. #GBFlyin
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@48FighterWing Extremely saddened by this news. All our thoughts are with family, friends and all our brothers and sisters in the @48FighterWing Liberty Wing.
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An interesting time lapse of ‘Operation CHASTISE’ known as the Dambusters Raid which launched 76 years ago today showing detail of the waves of ac, the successes and the losses.
NEW- The Dambusters Raid - Time-Lapse.
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A fantastic day for 617 Squadron. A new Standard as the Squadron opens a new chapter in its history, and I was very proud of all the personnel involved in making it a special day.
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I am heading to the Ruhr Valley today to mark the 74th Anniversary of 617 Sqn successfully completing the Dams Raid. #LestWeForget.
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Fantastic to see the support and interest in 617 Sqn!
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A fantastic moment with Johnnie in front of the Lanc yesterday. I enjoyed being able to share stories my grandfather told me about flying this incredible aircraft with him, and hearing more detail about his experiences 75 years ago. #Dambuster75 #LestWeForget @RoyalAirForce
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Future 617 Sqn Flight commander going solo in a Lightning! Well done Lt Cdr Hogg! @RoyalNavy @RoyalAirForce
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. and 74 years later 617 Sqn is holding meetings to discuss the relocation from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in the USA to RAF Marham.
On This Day - 6 January 1944: No. 617 Squadron held a conference with NCO i/c Sections in the Sqn crew room at 1915hrs to discuss the relocation to RAF Woodhall Spa.
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Parts and equipment already moving with people already in post at RAF Marham. Years of planning now in the delivery phase! @RoyalAirForce @RoyalNavy @LightningFHQ @StnCdrRAFMarham
A british A400 Atlas takes off from Marine Corps Air Station BeaufortJan. 25. The aircraft came to transport F-35 Lightning II parts back to England. This signifies the UK Squadron 617's transition back to the UK.
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These trials are paving the way for 617 Sqn to embark in the future. It is important to get the integration right to ensure that the front line can deliver combat air from the sea. @RoyalAirForce @RoyalNavy.
🇬🇧🇺🇸Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, departs her home port of Portsmouth today, bound for the USA to land fast jets on deck for the very first time 🇬🇧🇺🇸
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80 years ago today a very special team began to assemble. This Thursday we shall celebrate the 80th anniversary of The Dambusters!.
#OnThisDay 80 years ago, the formation of @OC617Sqn began, with crews arriving on station. At this time, they held the ‘X Squadron label’ until 23 March 1943 when they became 617. Learn more about the Dambusters as we commemorate the 80th anniversary ➡️
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Rest in Peace Marines. Always remembered.
Flag-draped transfer cases line the inside of a C-17 Globemaster II Aug. 29, 2021, prior to a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The fallen service members died while supporting non-combat operations in Kabul. Gone, but never forgotten.
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A fantastic evening last night at the Royal Albert Hall celebrating #Dambuster75 hosted by @thehistoryguy and @beaver_paul. It was brilliant to see such interest in this ‘whole force’ raid from engineering concept through to industry support and the final military execution.
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Coooommmmpleeete! 80Km for 80 years #dambusters80 Great to help launch #RAFARides 23 and pedal with @clinky1969 Thanks to @LMUKNews @RAFAssociation @RAF_Marham and of course @RitcheyLogic
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I wear my poppy for my dad, Sqn Ldr Mike Sparrow, who flew Vulcans on 617Sqn, and inspired my own choice of career, and for my wife’s Uncle, Sgt John Whitehead, killed serving on the Belvederes of 26Sqn at RAF Khormaksar in Aden #LestWeForget.
We have worn the poppy as an act of #Remembrance for the last 100 years, and will continue to do so for the next 100. Who do you wear your poppy for?. #RemembranceDay
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My son asked me to help him build this dam today. I stared at him curiously and walked away. #awkwardquestionforadambuster?
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Today one of our 617 team cycled 100 miles on board @HMSQNLZ taking part in the RAFA virtual 100. If you would like to add to his fundraising total for the RAF Association please follow this link @RAFAssociation @RAF_Marham.
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Two 617 Squadron pilots fly F-35 for the first time following training in Hawk T2. Read more about it here:
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Many thanks to @LockheedMartin for supporting @RAFAssociation and @RAF_Marham for making #RAFARides happen! Almost 1/2 way through 80k for #dambusters80 @RoyalAirForce
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And we’re off - 2023 @RAF_Marham #RAFARides event is underway! Glorious weather but wind making us work! @RAFAssociation @RAF_Marham @RoyalAirForce
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Fantastic to be invited to take part in Ex Northern Edge, lots learned by all participants. Power projection of the UK Ltng Force enabled by @RAF_Marham and the wider @RoyalAirForce community.
.@OC617Sqn F-35 Lightnings & @AirMobilityRAF Voyager recently joined @usairforce, @USMC, @USNavy, @USArmy, and @AusAirForce in Exercise Northern Edge 23 in Alaska. Watch the full video & read more about the largest US training exercise of the year here:
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VMFA-121 now at full strength and combat ready. Just over a year to go until we will be in the same position as we complete our training with VMFAT-501 until next summer. @USMC @RoyalNavy @RoyalAirForce #raf100
ICYMI: @USMC finished deploying a squadron of F-35Bs to Japan earlier this week: | via @starsandstripes #F35
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And of course a former member of 617 Squadron and the current Association President - happy birthday John from all current Dambusters! 🎉.
We’d like to wish a very Happy 100th Birthday to John Bell MBE DFC. John took part in several missions during World War Two, including the D-Day landings. Last year, we sat down with John, who told us about his incredible RAF career ➡️
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Thanks @jamie_aviacom, it’s going to be an amazing year!.As the @RoyalAirForce turns 100, 617 Squadron will reform, celebrate our 75th birthday and bring F-35B into front line UK service. #raf100 @RoyalNavy @RAFMarhamMedia
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617 Squadrons standard hanging in CHOM at RAF Cranwell. We'll be taking this into Squadron care next year for the formal stand up parade!
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Great dinner last night and I had a debate with OC 9 Sqn about which Sqn sunk the Tirpitz. We had 617 Sqn Tirpitz attack veterans with us!
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Great news to have a Release to Service! This will allow the pilots with no previous experience destined for 617 to operate the aircraft.
Signed Lightning II initial Release to Service yesterday. This sets out the safe operating envelope. Key milestone. Great work by the team.
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An honour to speak on behalf of current & former members of 617 Sqn at Scampton church. The service, timed with our 80th anniversary, featured the dedication of the new stained glass window which we think is pretty epic! Anyone guess where the 2nd pic was taken? #Dambusters80
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A few weeks ago I had an interview with @BBCNorfolk discussing F-35B Lightning, 617 Squadrons formation and the arrival of the jets at @RAFMarhamMedia. You can listen to it at the link below. @RoyalAirForce @RoyalNavy @StnCdrRAFMarham @OC207Sqn
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I have flown with 'Sack' and 'Mo' on the F/A-18 and know 'BC' personally. Check out what they think of F-35:
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Meeting Keith was wonderful. A brilliant man who epitomised the strength of character and enthusiasm for life common amongst his generation of pilots. His stories were awe inspiring. I have thought of him often and will remember him with deepest respect. A @FAA_RN legend. RIP.
Very sad news. Keith Quilter has died, aged 99. He was one of the last Royal Navy fighter pilots from the war, whose story inspired me to write The Kamikaze Hunters. More importantly, he was a top bloke. Enjoy the party up there, old friend. We shall all miss you so much x 1/2
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Thanks @Twigs95, a memorable evening with some people clearly suffering from some allergies at about this point in the evening! The Lancaster is so special; I was lucky to have been sat with Johnnie Johnson during this flypast.
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617 Sqn and @RAF_Marham is proud to be supporting the @cosfordairshow today. We look forward to seeing you there!.
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Iraq Battle Honours awarded for 617 Squadron:
The MOD announced that The Queen approved the award of Battle Honours to squadrons of @RoyalAirForce Read more:
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I am very proud to have served at @RNASCuldrose, on @OC617Sqn and with Lt Cdr Adams. A wonderful way to remember a hero of the #Dambusters raids.
A service was held in Porthleven #Cornwall yesterday to remember WW2 hero Wg Cdr Guy Gibson -taking part was Lt Cdr Adams @RoyalNavy who has served on 617 #Dambusters Squadron @OC617Sqn as well as representatives of @RAFStMawgan, @RCAF_ARC, town mayor and Old Cornwall Soc.
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Testing in preparation for 617 Sqn's ability to use.
Fantastic shot of @USMC Lt. Col. Tom Fields conducting F-35B AIM-132 ASRAAM separation testing during SDD on May 17, via @NAVAIRNews
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Brilliant team effort all round and great to see STOVL stealth in the UK! Less than 700 days to go until 617 is home
Thanks to all for an amazing RIAT. Your professionalism has been exceptional. 5th Gen has arrived in earnest in UK
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@FinnishAirForce @ChiefofAirStaff @RAF_Marham @KarjalanLsto We are proud to operate with, and support our @FinnishAirForce partners.
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Here is an example of how F-35 will change the way we fight.
#F35A pilot at Red Flag: 4-ship formation of F-35As destroyed 5 surface-to-air threats in 15-min w/o being targeted
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I've been at the UK F-35 programme management review this week in Fort Worth. It's on track to get 617 Sqn Initial Operating Capability 2018.
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I also got spun around in this during the week. Hurt a little bit at 7Gz without the full leg protection we'll have in F-35!
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Great day out at @LincolnCity_FC watching them promote to League One! Dambuster links with the club very much alive; Dambusters March and plenty of ‘bouncing’ and singing from the supporters. Many thanks to @Long19Alan and @LindseyWarwick1 for looking after @southern_imp and I!
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Hoping that many of those girls interested in a career in such an exciting and inspiring area will join #CSG31.
As part of @UN Int'l Day of the Girl earlier this week, girls in 🇸🇬 aspiring to a #STEM career were given the opportunity to ask @HMSQNLZ crew about their work. More Q&As here! @smrmoorhouse @g2psingapore @dstlmod #CSG21 #WomeninSTEM #IDG2021. 📺Part 1:
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Thanks for everything you have done 208(R) Sqn. Enjoy the party tonight!
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Well done @RAFRed10, thoroughly deserved!
Woken up to dozens of messages of congratulations. Thank you all & to those who have supported me over the last 9 years. Red Ten MBE!.
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Well done @RAFRed10! Proud of you mate, great work with huge dedication to the service and to the team.
It was difficult not to have a huge grin on my face. What a proud day & an INCREDIBLE experience! Thank you to everyone at Buckingham Palace
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USS The Sullivans a key part of #CSG21. The memory of these brothers served so well by the crew and their outstanding contribution.
When USS Juneau was sunk in the Pacific today in 1942 all five brothers of the Sullivan family, from Waterloo, Iowa were killed.
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It was great to be present at this announcement today. 617 and 207 will be working together to deliver the next gen of combat air.
Visiting RAF Marham with First Sea Lord today - pleased to announce that Operational Conversion Unit for the Lightning will be 207 Squadron.
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"Don't overlook the power of the individual to change his circumstances" Leonard Cheshire VC - Former 617 Sqn CO @LeonardCheshire
The life and work of Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC, 1917–1992.
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617 Sqn will be ready to deliver this capability from the end of 2018. I've said it before: 'game-changing!'
Watch: F-35 Pilot Discusses Aircraft Performance at Red Flag 2017
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UK Defence Air Engineers. Always understated in their achievements.
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Sqn Ldr Johnny Johnson; 617 Sqn Legend: royalairforceuk's video
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I shouldn’t be biased but hopefully next year the RAF boys will reclaim the title! Well done RN, you had to win it at some point I guess… ;) 🏉🎉.
Great day with some great people! Annual RN v RAF (Marham) match! #COYB Good win for the MRM MATELOTS!! @RAF_Marham @StnCdrRAFMarham @OC207Sqn @OC617Sqn @CdrLightning @RAFRugbyUnion @RNRugby
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@HMSQNLZ @RoyalNavy @RoyalAirForce Team work from @OC207Sqn @RAF_Marham and @HMSQNLZ has been exceptional - we are on the path to CSG21.
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@StnCdrRAFMarham Copied Sir, 0617 is the time for us though! . The irony here is that we’ve spent more time discussing how we ensure our pilots are safely above the minimum weight. .
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@HMSQNLZ @RoyalNavy @RoyalAirForce Thanks to all @HMSQNLZ who have made this happen - outstanding efforts from all.
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Can we make it happen @MercedesAMGF1 @LewisHamilton?
Would be great to see the F35 next to an F1 car!
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It’s @RAFAssociation RAFA Rides time again and RAF Marham is holding its own event this year to kick off this global event! 80Km to mark 80 years of the Dambusters this Sunday, any sponsorship amount greatly appreciated!
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Been undergoing my Aviation medicine refresher training this week; I got spun around in this to force me into Spatial Disorientation.
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F-35 will change the way we can fight; it will provide us with better awareness of the battle space & be better connected to other players
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First bomb drop by a @usairforce combat unit. Just over 2 years until 617 Sqn does the same.
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