RAF Lossiemouth's 'Dambusters' squadron is disbanded

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The Duke of York attended the ceremonyImage source, MOD
Image caption,

The Duke of York attended the ceremony

The RAF's "Dambuster" squadron, which has been based at Lossiemouth in Moray, has been disbanded as its Tornado aircraft are withdrawn from service.

The famous 617 Squadron will be reformed in 2016, at its new location, RAF Marham in Norfolk.

It will become the first RAF squadron to fly a new stealth fighter, known as the Lightning II.

The aircraft will be operated jointly by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilots.

Image source, RAF
Image caption,

The squadron has flown Tornado GR4s from its base at RAF Lossiemouth

The squadron completed its final operational tour with Tornado aircraft in Afghanistan during February.

The Dambusters raid during World War Two was carried out by 133 airmen, flying 19 Lancaster bombers armed with the "bouncing bombs" designed by Sir Barnes Wallis.

Codenamed Operation Chastise, 56 of the men who took off on the mission did not return.

Out of 19 bombers, eight were shot down. Three men were captured and 53 were killed.

The raid was recreated in the famous 1955 film, The Dam Busters, starring Michael Redgrave and Richard Todd.

The anniversary of the raid was marked in 2013.

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