#1585 CSG 2021 F-35B Lightning Print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1585Sig2 - 617 Squadron The Dambusters and VMFA-211 Wake Island Avengers. Group Exercise and Carrier Strike Group 2021.
617 Squadron and VMFA-211 first embarked on HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH for Group Exercise in September 2020. Both squadrons will deploy together again on board HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH on the maiden deployment as part of the Carrier Strike Group 2021.
617 Squadron, The Dambusters
No. 617 Squadron formed at RAF Scampton on 23 March 1943, specifically for the task of breaching major dams in Western Germany. For this task the squadron was equipped with modified Lancaster B IIIs and the “Upkeep” (better known as the “Bouncing Bomb”) designed by Barnes Wallis. After intensive training, 19 aircraft took off on the night of 16 May and attacked four targets, the Möhne and Eder Dams being successfully breached. The squadron was retained for specialist missions, and it went on to deliver other Wallis-designed weapons including the 22,000 lb “Grand Slam” and 12,000 lb “Tallboy” bombs; the latter used by the squadron on 12 November 1944 to successfully sink the Tirpitz. In May 1958 “The Dambusters” received Vulcan B1s as part of the RAF’s V-bomber Force, to be replaced by the B2 version modified to carry the Blue Steel “stand-off” missile. The squadron continued in the long-range bombing role until disbandment on 31 December 1981. The squadron reformed as a strike squadron at Marham on 1 January 1983, flying the Tornado GR1. During April 1994 the squadron moved to RAF Lossiemouth and took on the maritime strike role, operating the Tornado GR1B. In 2002 the squadron re-equipped with the Tornado GR4, enhancing their night capability and enabling the use of advanced weapons such as Storm Shadow. The unit disbanded on 31 March 2014 when the Tornado was withdrawn from service. Following a significant build-up within VMFAT-501 at MCAS Beaufort, “The Dambusters” officially reformed on 17 April 2018. On 6 June 2018 the squadron returned to Marham as the UK’s first operational F-35B Lightning squadron.
VMFA-211, Wake Island Avengers
VMFA-211 can trace its roots back to 1 January 1937 when VF-4M was formed. The unit flew F3F biplanes from NAS San Diego, CA and adopted the plunging lion as their squadron insignia. It was re-designated to VMF-2 on 1 July 1937, and after a move to MCAS Ewa, HI, in January 1941 it was re-designated once more to VMF-211 on 1 July 1941. During November 1941 VMF-211, now flying the F4F-3 Wildcat, was sent to Wake Island. The Japanese attacked on December 8th, killing or wounding half the defenders and destroying 12 aircraft on the ground. During the next two weeks, using five aircraft, VMF-211 pilots repelled numerous attacks and inflicted great losses on the enemy before eventually being overrun by overwhelming Japanese forces. The spirit of the remaining VMF-211 Marines could not be broken; they redesigned the squadron emblem, combining the plunging lion with the outline of Wake Island in the shape of a “V” for victory, and defiantly adopted the squadron motto, “Wake Island Avengers”. In 1952, VMF-211 was redesignated VMA-211 to identify its primary emphasis on Close Air Support. In 1957, VMA-211 received its first A-4 Skyhawk and relocated to MCAS El Toro, CA. During June 1990, the squadron transitioned to the Night Attack AV-8B at MCAS Yuma, AZ, once again improving the lethality of this battle proven squadron. New AV-8B II+ Harriers were received in September 2000, before transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II during June 2016. On 30 June 2016, VMA-211 was officially re-designated as VMFA-211.
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