The first of Britain’s new advanced aircraft flew into RAF Marham their new home in Norfolk in eastern England. They touched down on the evening of 6 June after a trans-Atlantic flight from the United States, where Britain has more of the jets and 150 personnel in training. The F-35s took off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort earlier in the day, and were flown by British pilots of the newly-reformed 617 Squadron, which was immortalised by the famous Dambusters’ raid of the Second World War.

The F-35s’ arrival in the UK two months ahead of schedule provides an opportunity for support staff to get a head-start in preparing the aircraft ready for operational service at the end of this year.