Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Commando pilot Mike makes history as first Royal Marine to command a fast jet squadron
26 September 2024
Green beret. Royal Marine Commando. Fast jet pilot. Harrier pilot. F-35B Lightning pilot.
Now add ‘Fast jet squadron Commanding Officer’ to the long list of descriptors you might use for Lieutenant Colonel Mike Carty RM.
He’s the first Royal Marine to command any fast jet formation, RAF 617 Squadron - arguably the most famous squadron in the history of UK military aviation: the Dambusters.
It’s one of two front-line units flying the most advanced aircraft in the UK’s arsenal, the fifth-generation F-35B Lightning stealth strike fighter/bomber.
He takes the ‘control column’ of the Dambusters after their first overseas deployment not on a carrier.
A detachment from 617 spent a month in Iceland on NATO air policing duties – a world away from its Norfolk home at RAF Marham, near King’s Lynn, or the deck of a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier.
As with its younger sister formation, 809 Naval Air Squadron, the Dambusters draws air and ground personnel roughly equally from the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm – so much so that they think of themselves as a combined, united ‘Lightning Force’.
With 24 years in the Corps under his belt, Lt Col Carty brings a wealth of front-line and rear area cockpit experience to the Dambusters.
After duties as a conventional commando at the beginning of his Royal Marine career, Lt Col Carty applied for flying training, was selected and, a few years later, was flying Harrier GR9s from the decks of HMS Illustrious and Ark Royal.
For good measure, he also mastered the US Marine Corps’ version of the jump jet, flew with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) aka the 'Wake Island Avengers' and was awarded the US Navy Air Medal when deployed on Operation Inherent Resolve (Syria and Iraq).
I am looking forward to the challenges ahead as the squadron continues to build on the great work that has already been done to ensure that we maintain a level of readiness to fly and fight from a land or sea base when required.
He’s passed on his extensive knowledge of flight to up-and-coming fast jet pilots as an instructor at RAF Valley on the Hawk T2, worked as a staff officer in the F-35 programme at the Air & Space Warfare Centre and then with the Combat Air Force HQ, based at RAF Marham.
Having completed his conversion course to the F-35B Lightning on 207 Squadron –a stone’s throw from 617 at the Norfolk air base – he’s now in charge of the Dambusters.
“I aim to hit the ground running as we prepare to embark in HMS Prince of Wales alongside 809 NAS to participate in Exercise Strike Warrior,” he said, referring to the key exercise for the UK’s Carrier Strike Group which takes place next month off Scotland… paving the way for the maiden deployment of the flattop next year.
“I am looking forward to the challenges ahead as the squadron continues to build on the great work that has already been done to ensure that we maintain a level of readiness to fly and fight from a land or sea base when required.”
He takes over 617 from Wing Commander Stew Campbell, who told personnel that over the past five years the Dambusters had gone “from strength to strength” as they mastered the F-35B both in the air and on the ground.
Thanking the entire squadron for their hard work and dedication, he told them: “Serving as the Officer Commanding of 617 Squadron has definitely been the highlight of my career and it is with immense pride that I hand over command to Lt Col Carty.”