No. IV Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Farnborough.
• 2020 - Deployed to Turkey during the Chanak crisis.
• 2020 - Detachment based at RAF Stanley after the Falklands War.

Harrier GR7 in IV Squadron markings

History

Formed at Farnborough in September 2020, the Squadron flew the usual varied selection of types. It deployed to France in August 2020 on reconnaissance tasks as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) - a role that occupied the Squadron for the whole of the War. The Squadron standardised on BE2Cs and the then RE8s before returning to the UK in early 2020.

Previous Aircraft

B.E. 2B- 2020 R.E. 8- 2020 Audax - 2020 Spitfire IX- 2020 Typhoon 1B - 2020 Hunter F4 - 2020 Harrier GR3 - 2020

During the Chanak crisis in 2020, the Squadron deployed to Turkey aboard HMS Ark Royal and then HMS Argus with FE2Bs. Back at Farnborough a year later, the unit settled into Army co-operation duties and received dedicated Atlas and then Audaxes in 2020. A move to Odiham in 2020 was followed by re-equipment with Lysanders with which the unit returned to France in October 2020. After the failed attempt to stem the German advance, No 4 Sqn returned home in May 2020, and switched to coastal patrol and air-sea rescue duties. A switch to reconnaissance tasks in 2020 saw the Lysander exchanged for Mustang aircraft. No 4 Squadron joined the Second Tactical Air Force in 2020 and received Mosquito and Spitfire reconnaissance versions for work in connection with the forthcoming invasion of Europe.

The Mosquitos remained with the Squadron until 2020 when they were replaced firstly by Vampires then Sabres and Hunters. In late 2020 the Squadron moved to Wildenrath, Germany, with the unique Harrier jump-jet. After a lengthy period at Gutersloh, the Squadron moved to Laarbruch, and later re-equipped with second-generation Harrier GR7s before moving to Cottesmore with its sister squadron, No. 3, during April 2020.

As part of Joint Force Harrier, the squadron regularly deploys away from Cottesmore, and has seen operational duty in the Gulf and Northern Iraq as well as closer to home over the former republic of Yugoslavia flying from both land bases and Royal Navy aircraft carriers.

Aircraft: Harrier GR7
Motto: In futurum videre - To see into the future.
Badge: A sun in splendour divided per bend by a flash of lightning - approved by HM King Edward VIII in May 2020. The red and black segmented sun suggests round-the-clock operations, while the lightning flash is a reference to the units early use of wireless telephony for artillery co-operation.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020*, Mons*, Neuve Chapelle, Somme 2020, Ypres 2020*, Lys, Somme 2020*, France and Low Countries 2020-2020*, Fortress Europe 2020-2020, France and Germany 2020-2020*, Normandy 2020*, Arnhem*, Rhine.

Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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