BEagle, is the F35 really a fighter? It would seem to me that it was designed as a bomb truck, to replace the A10s and F16s, in the great scheme of things as I understand it the USAF wanted the F22 as a fighter and the F35 as a tactical bomber, the USN as I understand it intends to use the F18s as fighters and the F35s as attack aircraft.
So it seems not unreasonable that 617 stands up as an F35 squadron.