809 Naval Air Squadron is commissioned at RAF Marham

809 Naval Air Squadron has officially joined 617 'Dambusters' Sqn at RAF Marham, becoming its second front-line unit flying the F-35 Lightning.

Navy and air force personnel on parade at RAF Marham for the 'standing up' of 809 Naval Air Squadron (Image: Chris Bishop)

Personnel from both armed services marched in to parade in front of one 809's jets, with its emblem the phoenix painted on its tail.

Vice Admiral Martin Connell, Second Sea Lord, told them: "You only have to look at the battle honours of 809 to know the rich history of those who have gone before you. I hope it will be a huge inspiration."

On the dais Air Marshall Harv Smyth, the RAF's air and space commander (left) and Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell take the salute (Image: Chris Bishop)

Royal Navy personnel are inspected by Air Marshall Harv Smyth (Image: Chris Bishop)

Royal Navy personnel are inspected by Air Marshall Harv Smyth (Image: Chris Bishop)

Personnel were inspected by senior officers before the parade matched out.

Air Marshall Smyth said 809's official arrival was part of the planned expansion of the Lightning Force.

An F-35 Lightning with 809 Naval Air Squadron's phoenix emblem on its tail (Image: Chris Bishop)

Personnel parade in from of an F-35 Lightning jet (Image: Chris Bishop)

He said the day marked "a particularly significant milestone" with more capability added in air combat.

Commander Tim Gedge, who commanded 809 NAS during its deployment to the South Atlantic during the 1982 Falklands Conflict, presented the squadron's crest to Cdr Nick Smith, commanding officer of its latest iteration.

Cdr Tim Gedge, who commanded 809 NAS during the Falklands Conflict, presents the squadron crest to its latest commanding officer, Cdr Nick Smith (Image: Chris Bishop)

Air Marshall Harv Smyth with an F-35 Lightning at RAF Marham, where he was base commander between 2013 and 2015 (Image: Chris Bishop)

Originally formed in 1941, 809 NAS saw service in Italy, North Africa, France, Burma, Malaya and Sumatra, before being disbanded in 1949.

Three years later, it reformed and after a brief stint at Coltishall in Norfolk, it was posted to Malta before it saw service in the 1956 Suez Crisis.

A Seafire aircraft flown by 809 NAS soon after its formation in 1941 (Image: Fleet Air Arm Museum/National Museum of the Royal Navy/Crown Copyright)Sea Harriers of 809 NAS during the Falklands Conflict (Image: Fleet Air Arm Museum/National Museum of the Royal Navy/Crown Copyright)

It reformed and disbanded during the 1960s and 70s, before being reformed in April 1982 to fly Sea Harrier jets from aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible during the Falklands Conflict, before it was again stood down. 

By the end of 2025, the Lightning Force will have two squadrons at sea on board the Navy's carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

Personnel march off at the end of the parade (Image: Chris Bishop)

Personnel march off at the end of the parade (Image: Chris Bishop)