It was then re-roled as a light armoured squadron, equipped initially with Saracen Armoured Personnel Carriers, and subsequently with the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) series of vehicles, including Scorpion, Spartan, Sultan and Samson.

At the end of 1998 the squadron was re-located to the UK, based at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall.

In addition it has been tasked with peacekeeping duties in the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia, and periodic deployments to Northern Ireland and Cyprus, and to Kuwait in support of British forces operating there.

The squadron has returned to Iraq on three occasions since 2003, defending the Contingency Operating Base at Basra.

RAuxAF SAC Christopher Dunsmore attached to No.1 Squadron was also killed in an insurgent indirect fire attack on their base in Iraq.

[2] On 7 August 2007 Leading Aircraftman Martin 'Beardy' Beard from Mansfield was killed during a fire fight with Iraqi insurgents in the Battle of Al Waki Market.

Squadron's last tour (2010) defending Bastion Air Base (Helmand Province, Afghanistan) the squadron lost two gunners; Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths who was involved in a road traffic accident on patrol whilst serving with B flight[4] and Senior Aircraftman Scott Hughes (C flight).