IV into 20 goes once

Gary Parsons

The outgoing OC of IV(AC) Squadron, Wing Commander Harvey Smyth (left) and the ‘new’ OC of 4(R) Squadron, Wing Commander Linc Taylor at a wet and windy Cottesmore on March 31. Key – Alan Warnes

1 April 2010

the Royal Air Force's IV(AC) Squadron has been renumbered 4 (Reserve) Squadron.

March 31: At a parade at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, the Harrier force was reduced by one operational squadron as IV(AC) Squadron was renumbered 4 (Reserve) Squadron, taking over the Operational Conversion role from 20(R) Squadron.

Taking command of the new numberplate is the current commanding officer of 20(R) Squadron, Wing Commander Linc Taylor. The squadron will continue to operate from RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire and will see little change other than some new colours to add to the unit’s Wildcat badge.

It’s not known if 20 Squadron will be re-formed in the future, but is sure to be considered as the number for the new Chinook squadron to be formed in the next couple of years.

AirForces Monthly magazine will have more on IV(AC) Squadron’s last few weeks in the June issue, out on May 6.

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