In Action
1(Fighter) Squadron - RAF Cottesmore

1(F) Squadron was one of three squadrons, the other were 4(AC) Squadron RAF and 800/801 Squadron of the Naval Strike Wing which made up Joint Force Harrier (JFH) and were all based at Cottesmore until JFH was disbanded in December 2010.

Following the disbandment of 4(AC) Squadron on March 31, 2010, 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) were merged to form a single squadron which will be 800 NAS. The then new Joint Strike Wing (JSW) consisted of 1(F) Squadron and 800 NAS.


Under the Strategic Defence and Security Review announced on October 19, 2010 the Harrier was retired on December 15, 2010 and 1(F) disbanded on March 31, 2011.

Air to Air Action

Harrier GR.9's (ZG480 '70' with ZG859 '91')

Left to right: Harrier GR.9's (ZG480 '70' with ZG859 '91') using 'Jedi' callsign while air refuelling over North Sea (AARA 5) with Tristar 'Fagin 11' in March 2008.

Left to right: Harrier GR.9 (ZG859 '91') of 1(F) Squadron using 'Jedi' in March 2008.

Left to right: Harrier T.10 (ZH665 '113') with a 4(AC) Squadron Harrier GR.7 in 2004, Harrier GR.7 (ZD438 '50') receiving fuel from a VC-10.

Low Level Flying Action

'Jedi Flight' of four Harriers which had earlier been down to the Manorbier Air Defence Range. Only three came through the vally in mid Wales, the fourth Harrier joined up with them later according to the radio scanner.
Left to right: Harrier GR.9A (ZD433 '45A') with an impressive array of mission markings from its deployment to Afghanistan in 2007. Harrier GR.9's (ZD402 '31' and ZD352 '19'). November 10, 2010. 

Left to right: Harrier GR.7's (ZD463 '53' and ZD379 '27') at low level in the Lake District in September 2004 and Harrier GR.7A (ZD437 '49A') in September 2005.

Harrier GR.7 (ZG474 '64') flying at low level in to the winter sun in December 2003.

Cottesmore Action

Left to right: On December 13, 2010 Harrier T.12 (ZH663 '111') in 1(F) markings went out with the four 'special scheme' aircraft for a photo-shoot.

Left to right: Harrier GR.9 (ZG479 '69A' and ZG472 '62A') at Cottesmore in November 2010.

Left to right: Harrier GR.9 (ZD402 '31') and Harrier GR.9 (ZG857 'EB-Z') in 1(F) markings but stil with its previous 41(R) tail code and 'Observer Corps' titles under the cockpit at Cottesmore in November 2010.

Left to right: Harrier GR.9 (ZD402 '31') and Harrier GR.7A (ZD376 '24A') departing in December 2008.

Left to right: Two-seat Harrier T.10 (ZH657 '105') departing in December 2007.

Left to right: Harrier GR.7A (ZD404 '33A') with multiple mission markings, nose art of 'Lucy' has been replaced by another panel in December 2007.

Left to right: Harrier GR.9 (ZD435 '47') about to depart on a low level sortie in LFA7 in Wales followed by Harrier GR.7(ZD470 '60') in December 2007.