King meets aviators involved in protecting British bases in Cyprus during Iran war

The King has met some of the aviators who were called into action to protect British bases in Cyprus in the early stages of the Iran War.

He was visiting RAF Marham, where he is Honorary Air Commodore — a role he has held since September 2023, which was previously held by the late Queen Elizabeth.

As well as meeting personnel and their families, His Majesty also took the opportunity to look behind the controls of one of the UK's state-of-the-art F-35B Lightning fighter jets, operated by the joint Royal Navy and RAF Lightning Force based out of Marham.

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Global deployments 

In response to an attack on the British Sovereign Bases in Cyprus earlier this year, the UK launched a defensive operation which saw Marham personnel and jets deployed to shoot down drones launched towards bases, including RAF Akrotiri.

Since then, some personnel and aircraft have returned, giving the King's visit to the Norfolk air base added significance.

The visit was the first the King has undertaken to the station since being made its Honorary Air Commodore. 

As well as meeting personnel involved in the defence of Cyprus, he also spent time with aviators who last year deployed for eight months on HMS Prince of Wales as she toured the Far East on Operation Highmast.

Since then, the Lightning Force has deployed – again on HMS Prince of Wales – to the North Atlantic, only returning to Portsmouth a few days ago.

The modern-day 'dambusters' 

Speaking to BFBS Forces News just after the King left RAF Marham, Captain Tim Flatman, Lightning Deputy Force Commander, said the King took a great interest in the work of F-35B crews.

"It feels like the icing on the cake really, especially for people who have been away and working very hard. The cumulative amount of time spent away over the last couple of years for some people has been quite a lot," Capt Flatman said. 

"So, 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."

The Lightning Force is made up of joint squadrons from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, including 617 Squadron – famously immortalised as "the Dambusters".

The King was informed of other projects at the station, including the 'Be Ready 110' programme aimed at making all base personnel more ready to support the defence needs of the UK. 

He learned about the station's sustainability programme, from which he was gifted two jars of honey produced by Marham bees. The produce is aptly called Buzz Lightning Honey – and King Charles seemed delighted by the presentation.

Karl Holmes, a civil servant based at Marham and responsible for the beekeeping project, said the work was three years in the making and that it was fantastic that the King might be spreading the station's honey on his toast at the weekend.