6 // JANUARY 2018 #358 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comNEWS Headlines
Above: Wg Cdr Butcher – a former F/A-18 instructor pilot at MCAS Miramar, California – in the
cockpit of a UK F-35B. Left: Speaking after his fl ight, Wg Cdr Butcher (left) said: “It was a real
thrill to fi nally fl y this aircraft and it certainly exceeded my expectations.” Crown Copyright
THE FUTURE Officer
Commanding No 617
Squadron, Wg Cdr John
Butcher, has made his
first flight in an F-35B
Lightning II, the Royal
Air Force announced on
December 1, 2017. No 617
Squadron ‘Dambusters’ will
become the first frontline
UK F-35B squadron and
will return to RAF Marham,
Norfolk in summer 2018.
Speaking after his flight
over the Atlantic Ocean
from Marine CorpsAir Station Beaufort,
South Carolina, Wg Cdr
Butcher said: “This was
a memorable day and
climbing into the cockpit
for the first time felt really
familiar, as the simulator
I have been training
in is so realistic. This
flight certainly marks the
beginning of the end for
617 Squadron’s time at
Beaufort and we already
look forward to our arrival
back at RAF Marham.”
RAF and Royal Navypilots, maintainers and
ground crew are currently
training on the F-35 at
Beaufort. US Marine
Corps and British aircraft
are operated on a pooled
basis to train pilots
from both countries.
This training will continue
in the US until summer
2019 when No 207
Squadron, which will form
in 2019, will also return
to Marham and begin
to train Lightning Force
personnel in the UK.Philippine Air Force selects Super Tucano
THE PHILIPPINES has
placed a firm order for
six A-29 light attack and
advanced training aircraft,
Embraer announced
on November 30. The
Philippine Air Force (PAF)
will use them for missions
including close air support,
light attack, surveillance,
air-to-air interception and
counter-insurgency.
According to theBrazilian manufacturer,
the A-29 was chosen
after a “comprehensive
public bidding process
participated in by several
manufacturers from around
the globe”. The Super
Tucano was selected as
part of the PAF’s ongoing
modernisation plan. The
six will be delivered from
2019 and will be operated
by the 15th Strike Wing.Embraer announced
the sale of six A-29s to
a different, undisclosed
customer on October
16 (see Two new
Super Tucano orders,
December 2017, p6).
Deliveries under this
order will be completed in- At the time, it was
rumoured this deal was
for the Philippines, but
the company denied it.
F-35B flight for 617 boss