RDAF's Lightning II squadron will be Esk 727
On 2 February 2022, Major General and Chief of the Flyvevåbnet (RDAF, Royal Danish Air Force) Jan Dam, officially announced that Eskadrille (Esk) 727 will be the new Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II squadron.
Esk 727 has been chosen because it is the RDAF's oldest existing fighter squadron, and was twice responsible for introducing new types of aircraft.
The unit's symbol is the well-known Mjølnir (hammer of the thunder god Thor) and motto Volat Percutit Revertitur (he strikes and flies, he returns).
The unit will operate both the F-16 Fighting Falcon as the F-35A Lightning II for a transitional period. It was not stated how long this period will be, but the delivery schedule of all F-35As is scheduled for the period 2021 - 2026. The first F-35A is expected to arrive at Skrydstrup air base (Denmark) in October 2023.
The first four Lightning IIs are operated by 308th Fighter Squadron Emerald Knights at Luke AFB (AZ) for training future air crew.
As known, Denmark ordered 27 F-35As for use with one fighter squadron. With Esk 727 now being chosen, the other fighter squadron -Esk 730-, which has been in hibernation since the turn of the year 2019/2020, will be deactivated. According to Major General Dam, the new F-35As will operate from a new-build F-35 campus in the area where Esk 730 buildings were located.
Photo by Flyvevåbnet