Guy Gibson formed 617 Squadron in 1943.
He was under a lot of wartime pressure
to get that squadron ready with new technology.
I think if Gibson was to walk around the squadron today
he would be quite proud of the number of similarities
that probably exist to the 617 Squadron that he knew.
Bringing new technology into service on a relatively
short timeline that will change the way in which we fight,
I think really epitomizes what 617 Squadron stands for.
Guy Gibson would be proud of the Squadron today.
Wing Commander John Butcher is the Officer Commanding No. 617 Squadron, also known as the ‘Dambusters’. The squadron has been reformed to become the first front-line UK F-35B Lightning squadron, bringing cutting-edge technology into the service. This recalls the task of Guy Gibson, under whose leadership the squadron used the new technology of ‘bouncing bombs’ to destroy two dams in Germany in 1943.
| Role Commanding Officer | Rank Wg Cdr | UNIT 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit | Age 35 |
