4 FTS has primarily provided advanced flying and more recently jet aircraft training to aircrew students, although during World War II it was called upon to take part in offensive operations, a role it took on with great success.

The school moved to a war footing, forming 'Y' Operational squadron to defend against air attack.

By Spring 1941, other training schemes were beginning to produce sufficient pilots, and it was decided to close the school in September.

The Habbaniya Air Striking Force was created from the School (plus the 3 Vickers Valentia aircraft of Iraq Communications Flight) under the command of Group Captain W A B Saville.

[3] A rebel coup in Baghdad resulted in a British deployment in Basrah to protect Iraqi oil resources.

Their overall contribution to the situation in Iraq led to the recapture of Baghdad by British forces, and during the emergency which lasted almost a month, 4 SFTS flew 1605 operational sorties, the majority crewed by student pilots.

[2] On 3 February 1947, No 4 FTS reformed at Heany, near Bulawayo in what was Southern Rhodesia, using Avro Ansons, De Havilland Tiger Moth and North American Harvards.

In October 1949, the Air Council mandated changes to the status of cadets, and officer training became a part of the syllabus.

205 AFS at RAF Middleton St George operating Gloster Meteor jet aircraft, was renumbered as No.

At this stage, the School took on the role of training students for Coastal and Transport Commands, using Varsity T.1s.

It was extremely suited for its role, being designed to replace the several different types then in service with the RAF - the Jet Provost, the Gnat and the Hunter.

The Hawk was so successful that it allowed the RAF to retire the Hunter and Gnat fleets a year earlier than planned.

Easy to operate and simple to maintain, the Hawk was more economical than the Gnat, as well as having increased range and the ability to spin, a vital training task.

However, due to the introduction of the Lightning into service and a consequent need for greater numbers of pilots, it was announced in August 2018 that a second Hawk T.2 squadron would be formed under 4FTS at Valley.