THE RETURN OF 809 SQUADRON ‘THE IMMORTALS’ A
lthough not due to be operational for a few more years, the first Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Lightning squadron will be 809 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), known as ‘The Immortals’ from the motto on their squadron badge. The squadron has had a fascinating and varied history, albeit a very sporadic one, having been disbanded and reformed many times since the early days of World War II. Appropriately, the squadron’s phoenix emblem symbolises the rebirth of the fixed-wing Fleet Air Arm after years of dormancy. The ‘new’ 809 NAS will stand up in 2023, by which time the UK should have around 35 F-35Bs in service, and both carriers at full operational capability. It will take its place alongside 617 Sqn, the RAF’s operational Lightning unit, and 207 Sqn, the OCU (Operational Conversion Unit), which also has a
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HMS Prince of Wales
naval heritage, being originally formed as 7 Sqn RNAS in 1916. Tracing its origins to its formation at St. Merryn, Cornwall in January 1941, 809 NAS initially flew Fairey Fulmar fighters. With these it took part in strikes on Norway and escorted Arctic convoys, attacked the Tirpitz, was part of Operation Pedestal bringing supplies to Malta in August
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM PHOTO
Captain James Blackmore is currently involved in rebuilding the Royal Navy’s carrier strike focus as he serves as commander air group (CAG) for the UK Carrier Strike Group. Jim Winchester speaks with him about the squadron destined to be the second front-line F-35B Lightning unit.
