A former Hunter FR.10 unit based at Gutersloh in Germany, No.IV Squadron transferred to the Harrier by taking over No.54 (a Hunter FGA.9 operator) at West Raynham in the UK in September 1969. The squadron was now effectively split between the UK and Germany, with the UK part converting to the Harrier GR.1 during the first half of 1970, moving to Wildenrath in June. At the same time, the Gutersloh component was disbanded and with the official dissolution of the Wittering detachment in September 1970 the Squadron was finally back in one piece!
No.IV converted to the Harrier GR.1A in 1971, and by 1975 had become fully equipped with GR.3s. In January 1977 the unit moved to Gutersloh alongside No.3 Squadron, where it continued to be based until it moved to Laarbruch in 1992. By this time the unit had converted onto the GR.7, the last GR.3 mission being flown in December 1990.
While based in Germany, No.IV deployed occasionally to Norway, but with the end of the German mission they became more liable to overseas deployment, notably over Iraq during Operation warden in 1993-94 and over Bosnia in 1995-96. By this time the Harriers of all RAF squadrons were operating as an integrated force, presaging the current Joint Force Harrier.