XV490,
Anyone here from 617 Sqn? What's the view in the squadron?
I doubt many on 617 care about what the squadron will be doing in 2016, and will instead be focussed on their imminent det to KAF (I presume they'll be off there in 4 months or so to replace 12), and subsequent disbanding!
With the age and experience range of the majority of 617's aircrew, I seriously doubt if more than 10% of them will fly F35. Certainly none of the back seaters will be involved with the programme at all.
Also, considering we're nowhere near 17(R) actually doing anything with an ac yet, isn't 2016 a bit early for an operational squadron? Are we even going to bother running our own OCU?
Edit: in fact, speaking of 12, what's their future? Are they disbanding post-HERRICK as per the popular rumours, or continuing until March 2014 like I imagine 617 will?