The RAFs 70th 617 Sqn anniversary GR4 Tornado sporting the famous Dambusters special paint scheme on the tail fin. SCO 9663.
In 1993 No. 617 began the changeover to anti-shipping and by 1994 was operating from RAF Lossiemouth assigned to SACLANT flying the Tornado GR4B with the Sea Eagle missile. The Squadron also routinely deployed in support Operation Resinate and Operation Bolton, the RAF contribution to Operation Southern Watch, the last time being in the spring and summer of 2000 to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. The Squadron continued its pioneering heritage by becoming the first RAF squadron to fire the MBDA Storm Shadow cruise-missile, during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In 2011 the Squadron's commanding officer is Wing Commander Keith Taylor who recently replaced Wing Commander David Cooper, since promoted to Group Captain and appointed to Station Commander at RAF Marham. In July 2013, it was announced that 617 Squadron would become the first operational RAF unit to receive the F-35 Lightning. It is planned that the squadron will disband in April 2014 as part of the draw-down of the Tornado force, before reforming on the Lightning some time in 2016. As part of the UK's operational plan for the Lightning, 617 will be composed of both RAF and Royal Navy personnel, operating both from RAF Marham, and from the Royal Navy's new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers It will fly alongside the Fleet Air Arm's 809 NAS.
Size: 6064px × 4035px
Location: RAF Lossiemouth, Moray. Grampian Region. Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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