No. IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF

No. IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF
Unit name	No. IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF
Dates	22 September 1912 – Present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Army Co-operation / Multi-role
Garrison	RAF Lossiemouth
Garrison label	Base
Motto	In futurum videre, (Latin: 'To see into the future')
Equipment	Eurofighter Typhoon
Equipment label	Aircraft
Battles	World War I, World War II, Cold War, Gulf War, Iraq War, Operation Shader
Identification symbol label	Squadron badge heraldry
Identification symbol 2 label	Squadron codes

No. IV (Army Co-operation) Squadron RAF. It is one of the oldest and most distinguished units in the Royal Air Force, having been formed at Farnborough in September 1912. Throughout its long history, the squadron has operated a wide variety of aircraft in roles ranging from reconnaissance and close air support to air defence and deep strike. It is currently based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, flying the Eurofighter Typhoon.

History

The squadron was originally established as part of the Royal Flying Corps, conducting vital reconnaissance missions during the early battles of World War I, including the Battle of Mons and the First Battle of the Marne. It transitioned to the Royal Air Force upon its formation in 1918. In the interwar period, it honed its Army Co-operation role, a specialism it maintained into World War II, operating over theatres such as France, North Africa, and Italy. Post-war, it adapted to the jet age, flying aircraft like the Hawker Hunter and later transitioning to the Panavia Tornado for nuclear strike and reconnaissance during the Cold War. It saw combat in the Gulf War and the Iraq War, and after a brief period flying the Raytheon Sentinel, it reformed in 2013 as a Eurofighter Typhoon unit, contributing to NATO air policing and operations like Operation Shader against ISIL.

Aircraft

The squadron's operational history is defined by its diverse fleet. Early aircraft included the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 during World War I. Between the wars, it flew the Bristol F.2 Fighter and the Westland Lysander. In World War II, it operated the Curtiss Tomahawk and North American Mustang for tactical reconnaissance. The jet age brought the de Havilland Vampire, Hawker Hunter, and Hawker Siddeley Harrier. From 1970 to 2010, it was synonymous with the Panavia Tornado GR1/GR4, a mainstay for decades. After a short tenure with the Raytheon Sentinel R1, it was re-equipped with the advanced Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, its current aircraft.

Notable personnel

Many distinguished aviators have served with the squadron. Early commanders included Major John Tremayne Babington, a pioneer of naval aviation. World War I ace Frederick Libby, the first American to become an ace while flying for the Royal Flying Corps, scored many of his victories with the unit. In World War II, notable members included Wing Commander Gordon Finlayson, a skilled tactical reconnaissance pilot. Later, high-ranking officers such as Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, who served as Chief of the Air Staff, flew with the squadron during its Panavia Tornado era.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1937, features a Phoenix rising from flames, symbolizing endurance and renewal, with the motto In futurum videre. Its aircraft have carried various identification codes and markings throughout its history. During the Battle of Britain period, its Westland Lysander aircraft were often painted in dark earth and green camouflage. In the Panavia Tornado era, aircraft typically carried the squadron's distinct "IV" numeral on the tail fin. Current Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft continue to display this heritage marking alongside standard Royal Air Force roundels and serials.

Bases and deployments

The squadron has been based at numerous locations across the United Kingdom and overseas. Its first home was Farnborough. Significant historical bases include RAF Netheravon, RAF Odiham, and RAF Gütersloh in West Germany during the Cold War. It operated from RAF Bruggen for many years with the Panavia Tornado. Following the retirement of that aircraft, it was briefly stationed at RAF Waddington with the Raytheon Sentinel. Since reforming with the Eurofighter Typhoon, its permanent home has been RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland. It has also deployed on operations to bases such as RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

Operations and conflicts

The squadron has participated in nearly every major conflict involving British forces since 1914. In World War I, it provided crucial artillery spotting and photographic reconnaissance during the Battle of the Somme and the Third Battle of Ypres. Its World War II service included the Dunkirk evacuation, the North African Campaign, and supporting the Allied invasion of Italy. During the Cold War, it maintained a constant alert for nuclear strike in West Germany. It flew combat missions during the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, and the Iraq War. More recently, it has conducted air-to-air missions as part of NATO's Baltic Air Policing and flown armed reconnaissance sorties over Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Shader.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1912