A cake sits in front of an F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images). — A celebratory cake sits in front of one of 809 Naval Air Squadron's F-35B Lightnings (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

An F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images). — 809 NAS is now the first Royal Navy unit to operate the F-35B (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

The squadron's phoenix emblem adorns the tail of the F-35B (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

Commanding Officer of 809 Naval Air Squadron Commander Nick Smith with an F-35 Lightning jet during the commissioing ceremony at RAF Marham in King's Lynn in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images). — The CO of 809 Naval Air Squadron, Commander Nick Smith, attends the recommissioning ceremony at RAF Marham (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

Air Marshal Harvey Smyth inspects personnel from 809 Naval Air Squadron (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

A cake sits in front of an F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images).

An F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images).

The squadron's phoenix emblem adorns the tail of the F-35B (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

Commanding Officer of 809 Naval Air Squadron Commander Nick Smith with an F-35 Lightning jet during the commissioing ceremony at RAF Marham in King's Lynn in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images).

Air Marshal Harvey Smyth inspects personnel from 809 Naval Air Squadron (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

Navy

In pictures: 809 Naval Air Squadron makes grand return after 41 years

A cake sits in front of an F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images). — A celebratory cake sits in front of one of 809 Naval Air Squadron's F-35B Lightnings (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

An F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images). — 809 NAS is now the first Royal Navy unit to operate the F-35B (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

The squadron's phoenix emblem adorns the tail of the F-35B (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

Commanding Officer of 809 Naval Air Squadron Commander Nick Smith with an F-35 Lightning jet during the commissioing ceremony at RAF Marham in King's Lynn in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images). — The CO of 809 Naval Air Squadron, Commander Nick Smith, attends the recommissioning ceremony at RAF Marham (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

Air Marshal Harvey Smyth inspects personnel from 809 Naval Air Squadron (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

A cake sits in front of an F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images).

An F-35 Lightning stealth jet from 809 Naval Air Squadron during the commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images).

The squadron's phoenix emblem adorns the tail of the F-35B (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

Commanding Officer of 809 Naval Air Squadron Commander Nick Smith with an F-35 Lightning jet during the commissioing ceremony at RAF Marham in King's Lynn in Norfolk (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images).

Air Marshal Harvey Smyth inspects personnel from 809 Naval Air Squadron (Picture: PA Wire, PA Images)

These pictures show the resurrection of the legendary 809 Naval Air Squadron, known as the Immortals, which has been reborn as the second frontline F-35 fighter jet squadron at RAF Marham.

The unit, which will fly the F-35B Lightning stealth jet, has been reborn 82 years after the squadron was first stood up in 1941, having operated the likes of the Fulmar, Sea Venom, Harrier and Buccaneer.

809 NAS becomes the first Royal Navy unit to fly the new stealth aircraft, operating alongside 617 Squadron - The Dambusters.

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