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Organisation / Units & Squadrons
809 Naval Air Squadron
Organisation / Units & Squadrons

809 Naval Air Squadron

Originally formed in 1941, 809 Naval Air Squadron has been resurrected as the first Royal Navy formation to fly the fearsome new Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

Role

The F35 Joint Strike Fighter is one the most advanced fighter planes ever constructed. This fifth generation stealth jet is capable of ground attack, air superiority and air-to-air combat – all of which will be carried out by the expert pilots of 809 Naval Air Squadron.

The squadron, which dates back to the Second World War, was selected by the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas because of its illustrious history as a strike and attack squadron. Today, they represent the cutting edge of the UK’s military power. 

Unit history

1941

Battle honours

Arctic 1941
1942

Battle honours

Malta convoys 1942 North Africa 1942
1943

Battle honours

Salerno 1943
1944

Battle honours

South France 1944 Aegean 1944
1945

Battle honours

Burma 1945
1956

Suez

Post-war, 809's next big theatre of activity was the Suez operation
1982

Battle honours

Falklands 1982. The squadron was specially re-formed to fly Harriers from Hermes and Invincible during the Falklands Conflict, and decommissioned in December.

Join the Fleet Air Arm

Ready to soar? You could be supporting, working on - or even flying - some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.

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