No.1 Squadron began to convert to the Harrier GR.1 in mid-1969. Having previously flown the Hunter FGA.9 as part of No.38 Group, tasked with air support for ground forces, the pilots of No.1 underwent helicopter training before moving to Wittering to convert on to the Harrier with the HCT. The Squadron officially re-formed on 1 October 1969, co-located with the HCT at Wittering, under the command of Wing Commander K. Hayr.
No.1 Squadron was re-declared to the RAF front line on 1 January 1970, with overseas deployments to Cyprus and Norway following in March and September respectively. As the RAFs 'go-anywhere' Harrier unit such deployments became common, with the unit also becoming capable of deploying on Royal Navy aircraft carriers - the first such trials took place on board HMS Ark Royal in 1971.
However, it was in 1982 that the squadron first put its rapid-reaction skills to the test when it was called upon to reinforce the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier force during the Falklands War. A total of ten aircraft took part, flying 126 ground attack sorties from HMS Hermes. Four aircraft were lost, although no aircrew were killed.
On its return to Wittering, No.1 Squadron became part of SACEUR's Strategic reserve, with the mission of reinforcing actual or potential combat zones within NATO. As part of this commitment the squadron undertook annual deployments aboard Royal Navy carriers throughout the 1980s, although this capability lapsed in the early 1990s when the squadron converted to the GR.7. In 1999 the squadron moved from Wittering to Cottesmore as part of the new Joint Force Harrier.