King Charles visited RAF Marham in Norfolk on July 28 to meet Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel operating the UK’s F-35B Lightning Force, marking his first trip to the station since becoming its Honorary Air Commodore in September 2023.
The King spent time with aviators and support staff at the Norfolk airbase, where he inspected the cockpit of an F-35B Lightning fighter jet and learned about the aircraft’s advanced capabilities. He met personnel involved in recent operational deployments, including those who defended British sovereign bases in Cyprus during the Iran conflict earlier this year and aviators who deployed aboard HMS Prince of Wales during Operation Highmast in the Far East.
RAF Marham is the principal operating base for the UK’s F-35B Lightning, home to more than 3,600 service personnel, civil servants and contractors. The F-35B is jointly operated by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, allowing the aircraft to deploy from the Norfolk base or embark aboard the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth. This flexibility forms the backbone of the UK’s carrier strike capability, enabling combat air operations from both land and sea.
The station hosts 617 Squadron—historically known as the Dambusters—along with 207 Squadron and 809 Naval Air Squadron, the UK’s second frontline F-35B unit. According to Captain Tim Flatman, Lightning Deputy Force Commander, the King’s visit held special significance for personnel who have spent extended periods away on operations. “It feels like the icing on the cake really, especially for people who have been away and working very hard,” Flatman said. “I think to have the King here and to meet some of the families as well, I know that’s a memory that will stay with a lot of people for a long time.”
During the visit, the King also toured newly opened Junior Ranks barracks and met members of the Community Support and Sustainment teams. He learned about the station’s sustainability initiatives, including a beekeeping programme that produces “Buzz Lightning Honey,” two jars of which were presented to him as a gift. The station also briefed him on the “Be Ready 110” programme, which aims to strengthen operational readiness across the base.
RAF Marham marks its 110th anniversary this year, having opened in 1916 to defend Norfolk against Zeppelin attacks during World War I. The station later operated Wellington bombers, Mosquitos, Victor tankers and Tornado aircraft before being selected as the UK’s sole operating base for the F-35B Lightning. The first F-35B aircraft arrived in 2018, followed by the establishment of frontline squadrons that now form the backbone of Britain’s fifth-generation combat air capability.
Sources
- Forces News — King’s visit to RAF Marham, meeting with aviators involved in Cyprus operations and personnel from HMS Prince of Wales deployments, Captain Tim Flatman’s comments on the significance of the visit.
- ADS Advance — Details of the King’s visit to RAF Marham, tour of the hangar, meeting with pilots and engineers, the “Buzz Lightning Honey” presentation, RAF Marham’s role as the UK’s principal F-35B base, and the station’s 110-year history.
- RAF.mod.uk — Information on RAF Marham as home of the F-35B Lightning Force, operational capabilities, and the joint RAF-Royal Navy operation of the aircraft.
- Instagram / The Royal Family — Confirmation of the visit date (July 28, 2026), the King’s role as Honorary Air Commodore since September 2023, and his inspection of the F-35B cockpit.
