First All-British Refuelling Flight For F-35B

Imagery of the first all-British refuelling flight that took place off the East coast of the USA this week has been released this evening by the UK Ministry of Defence.

 

Press Release: Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pilots flying some of the UK’s first F-35B Lightning aircraft are currently training at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. This week they met an RAF Voyager from 10 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton to practice air to air refuelling in day and night conditions.

This successful practice comes ahead of the transatlantic crossing that the stealth jets will complete this Summer as 617 Squadron return to the UK and their new home of RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Wing Commander John Butcher, Officer Commanding 617 Squadron, was one of the pilots in the refuelling training: “This is a really exciting time to be part of the Lightning Force as 617 Squadron make final preparations to move to the UK with the F-35B. Having the opportunity to train with multiple British aircraft and practice air-to-air refuelling with a UK tanker for our journey home has been incredible and we are looking forward to moving home.”