A brief period during the Falklands War saw 809 reformed to bring Sea Harrier FRS.1 aircraft south to the UK task group and to fly from HMS Illustrious.

[5] After being trained in army co-operation duties at Sawbridge, 809 re-embarked in Victorious in October 1942 and conducted tactical reconnaissance for the North African landings of Operation Torch.

Between May 1954 and August 1959 the squadron operated Sea Venoms, in the all-weather fighter role, including active service during the Suez Crisis in 1956 while embarked aboard HMS Albion.

The aircraft at the time were painted in 'anti-flash' white with toned-down markings because of the Buccaneer's nuclear role, with the squadron badge of a phoenix on the sides of the jet intakes.

By 1965 the Buccaneer force had switched to the standard Fleet Air Arm finish of dark sea grey upper surfaces and white undersides, and the squadron badge was moved to the tail.

809 embarked in HMS Hermes with six aircraft for the next two years, then from 1968 were shore-based again at Lossiemouth, during which time they formed a display team and attended many air shows.

Steaming hard at 27 knots, and when eventually off Bermuda, two Buccaneers were launched along with two more buddy tanker versions to make one of the longest journeys of its type.

[9] In a six-hour round trip the two Buccaneers showed presence over Belize and made the Guatemalan government, with its P-51D Mustangs and limited ground forces, hesitate long enough for other events to intervene.

These aircraft were painted a lighter low visibility grey than the rest of the Sea Harrier fleet, and were then issued to the reformed 809 NAS, under Lieutenant Commander Tim Gedge, which were transported south on the ill-fated Atlantic Conveyor.

In September 2013, it was announced that 809 NAS was to be reformed to become the first Fleet Air Arm squadron to be equipped with the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning.