After its return to the UK in 2011, it was announced that the squadron would be disbanded as one of the two Tornado squadrons due to cease operations as part of the 2010 SDSR along with XIII Squadron based at RAF Marham. The squadron ceased operations in March 2011, and, after a formal review by the Duke of York, was formally disbanded on 1 June 2011. Squadron Leader Eric Aldrovandi, a Burmese Python, who had served as the regimental mascot and had been with the squadron since its transition to the Tornado in 1985, took the opportunity to retire, and was transferred to Amazonia, a visitor attraction at Strathclyde Country Park. Reformation The Squadron was re-formed on 14 October 2011 at RAF Waddington operating the Beechcraft Shadow R1 in a Tactical ISR support role, an activity which had previously been operated as a Flight under V(AC) Squadron. From September 2014, the squadron temporarily relocated to Coningsby along with V(AC) Squadron due to the resurfacing of RAF Waddington's runway which took over a year to complete. It was announced in 2017 that the Squadron's fleet of five Shadow R1 would be increased by three and further upgrades would be funded. Aircraft operated Aircraft operated included: B.E.2c: 1915–1917 D.H.1A: 1916–1917 (for escort work with B.E.2) R.E.8: 1917–1918 Bristol Fighter: 1920-1930s De Havilland D.H.9A: 1924–1929 Fairey IIIF: 1929–1932 Fairey Gordon: 1932 Wellesley Mk.I: 1938–1940 Blenheim Mk.IV: 1940–1942 Marauder Mk.I: 1942–1944 P-51A Mustang Wellington Mk.XIV: 1944–1945 Mosquito Mk.VI/B.16/B.35: 1945–1951 Vampire FB.5: 1951–1955 Venom FB.1: 1953–1955 Hunter F.4/F.6: 1955–1962 Canberra B(I).8: 1962–1970 Phantom FGR.2: 1970–1975 Sepecat Jaguar GR.1: 1975–1985 Tornado GR.1/GR.1A: 1985–2004 Tornado GR.4: 2004–2011 Shadow R1: 2011–present See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons References Notes Bibliography Ashworth, Chris. Encyclopedia of Modern Royal Air Force Squadrons. Wellingborough, UK:PSL, 1989. . Bowyer, Michael J.F and John D.R. Rawlings. Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. . Bruce, J. M. The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing). London: Putnam, 1982. . Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes Since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. . Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1980. ISNM 0-85130-083-9. Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain