RAF Scampton
An armed man is not attacked
The location of the base in relation to Ermine Street is significant. The history of the use of the historic route through the north of Lincolnshire for Pilot Training purposes in WWI is well documented, and the views along the road to Lincoln Cathedral traditionally assisted pilots returning to base to locate the airfield. The topography of the station in relation to the road has been immortalised in the Station badge, in which the Longbow bowstring represents Ermine Street bent to accommodate the lengthened runway, and the arrow representing the runway itself.
THE STATION
RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire plays an important role in the protection of UK airspace as the home of No 1 Air Control Centre.
It is also home to the Mobile Meteorological Unit and to the world famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (The Red Arrows).
600 personnel work at RAF Scampton, including Service personnel, contractors and civil servants.
Commander
Wing Commander James Parker MBA BCom RAF
Wing Commander Parker took command of RAF Scampton in August 2018.
He commissioned as a Flight Operations Officer in September 1999 and after officer training undertook deployments to Pakistan Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. In January 2008 after promotion to Sqn Ldr he became SO2 Air for 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines deploying on Op Herrick as part of Task Force Helmund. This was followed by a posting to RAF Odiham as OC Support Helicopter Force HQ, followed by a posting to HQ Air as Chief of Staff for COS Pers/Air Sec
Parker was promoted to Wg Cdr in 2013 and after learning French at the Defence College of language and Culture at Shrivenham he attended French Staff College and was posted to the French MOD Directorate as desk Officer for the Franco-British combined Expeditionary Force.
ADDRESS
RAF Scampton, Lincoln, LN1 2ST.
KEY DATES
- 1943 - 617 Squadron was established for the Dambusters mission.
- 1956 - The runway was extended to 10,000 feet for the Vulcan bombers.
- 2000 - Red Arrows return to RAF Scampton after 5 years at RAFC Cranwell.
- 2006 - No 1 Air Control Centre deploy to Afghanistan.
- 2016 - RAF Scampton celebrated its centenary.
HISTORY
On 13 October 1916, Air Station Brattleby Cliff opened as a Home Defence Flight unit prior to being renamed RAF Scampton in 1918, making the Station one the RAF's oldest.
After a short hiatus the Station became home to 617 Squadron (known as the 'Dambusters') from where they flew their most famous mission - Operation CHASTISE.
Post war RAF Scampton was the home of the Vulcan bomber.
