Today three F-35 Lightnings departed RAF Marham to return to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in the USA. This is in preparation for their upcoming operational testing on board the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in the waters off the East Coast of America.

The three aircraft, prepared by 617 Squadron, 207 Squadron and Lightning Team UK personnel, will be deployed for a number of weeks to take part in WESTLANT 19.

The flight will take approximately 9 hours and the F-35 ...Lightnings will be accompanied by Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton who will refuel the aircraft a number of times throughout the journey.