Editing RAF Scampton (section)

==History==

===First World War===
Home Defence Flight Station Brattleby (also known as Brattleby Cliff) was opened on the site of the current RAF Scampton in late 1916. The airfield was bounded to the east by Ermine Street, to the south by Pollyplatt Lane, to the west by Middle Street, and to the north by [[Aisthorpe]] House.<ref name="moderngov"/> The form of the airfield was very similar to that of Hackthorn Park to the north east, which is likely to have been created in the same way.<ref name="moderngov"/> In addition to field boundaries, a number of other features were demolished or used for the airfield, including Aisthorpe House and a farm complex to the east of the site.<ref name="moderngov"/>

The aerodrome covered {{convert|287|acre|hectare|order=flip}} consisting of a landing ground and six single-span end-opening General Service Flight Sheds arranged in pairs with their doors at 90° to the landing ground. Technical buildings were set out behind these, followed by domestic accommodation close to Ermine Street. These were subdivided into smaller groups depending on rank. Accommodation for women was based around a Women's Hostel.<ref name="moderngov"/>

The first operational unit was A Flight, [[No. 33 Squadron RAF|No. 33 Squadron]] of the [[Royal Flying Corps]], which flew the [[Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2]]b, defending against the [[Zeppelin]] threat.{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=161}} The site then developed into a training aerodrome, supporting No. 60 Training Squadron, followed by No. 81 and No. 11 Training Squadrons, flying the [[Sopwith Camel]], [[Sopwith Pup|Pup]] and [[Sopwith Dolphin|Dolphin]]. The station was renamed as Scampton in 1917 following which it was designated as '''34 Training Depot Station''' and continued with its operational programme until it was closed in April 1919.{{sfn|Birtles|2012|p=69}}

All of the buildings on the airfield were temporary, even the hedgerows and trees which existed around the field boundaries were retained, so that between the wars the area was returned to its previous form. By 1920 all the buildings, including the hangars, had been removed.{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=162}}<ref name="RAFHist">{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafscampton/aboutus/history.cfm |title=History of RAF Scampton |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=27 October 2008}}</ref>

===Inter-war period===
By 1936, the [[Royal Air Force]] Expansion Scheme had overseen a period of rapid increases both in terms of new squadrons and the development of new stations.<ref name="moderngov"/> The former Brattleby site was one of many earmarked under the expansion programme, situated between three villages; [[Aisthorpe]], [[Brattleby]] and [[Scampton]], with its main entrance situated on the [[A15 road (England)|A15 road]] ''(Ermine Street)'' heading north from [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]]. The site was to be constructed to the latest specifications and on completion would form a fully equipped bomber station. From its reopening in August 1936, the station was known as '''Royal Air Force Station Scampton'''.{{sfn|Birtles|2012|p=69}}

The station consisted of four large [[Type-C hangar|C-Type hangars]] with permanent brick-built technical and domestic buildings. The remaining aerodrome buildings (for technical activities and accommodation) were built in a compact layout behind the hangars, in an arrangement replicated across all of the expansion period airfields: Technical Area, Station Offices, Officers' Mess, Sergeants' Mess, Airmen's' Quarters, Married Quarters, and Officers' Married Quarters.<ref name="moderngov"/> Roads were arranged either [[wikt:parallel|parallel]] or [[perpendicular]] to Ermine Street ''([[A15 road (England)|A15]])'' with the Guardroom at 90° to the main entrance and the Station Headquarters facing Ermine Street.<ref name="moderngov"/> This resulted in the base occupying an area of {{convert|360|acre|hectare|order=flip}}.<ref name="moderngov"/>

As it developed, RAF Scampton made an increasingly dramatic imposition on the surrounding rural landscape, such as to the [[Lincolnshire Edge]], a [[Jurassic]] [[limestone]] ridge, which forms the distinctive backbone of the county from Whitton on the Humber Estuary in the north, down to [[Grantham]] in the south.<ref name="moderngov"/> Along the top of the Edge, a series of airfields were developed, including [[RAF Waddington]], [[RAF Cranwell]] and RAF Scampton.<ref name="moderngov"/>

Upon opening, [[No. 9 Squadron RAF|No. 9 Squadron]] and [[No. 214 Squadron RAF|No. 214 Squadron]] were the first residents of the station, arriving in October 1936, operating the [[Handley Page Heyford]] and [[Vickers Virginia]]. No. 9 Squadron stayed at Scampton until March 1938, No. 214 Squadron having departed for [[RAF Feltwell]] in April 1937. Another squadron which was stationed at the base was [[No. 148 Squadron RAF|No. 148 Squadron]] formed from C Flt of No. 9 Squadron operating the [[Hawker Audax]] and later the [[Vickers Wellesley]]. The term of residence of No. 148 Squadron was brief being replaced by [[No. 49 Squadron RAF|No. 49 Squadron]] and [[No. 83 Squadron RAF|No. 83 Squadron]] in March 1938. At this time both No. 49 Squadron and No. 83 Squadron were operating the [[Hawker Hind]], before re-equipping with the [[Handley Page Hampden]].{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=162}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafscampton/aboutus/prewar.cfm |title=Pre-War Scampton |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=27 October 2008}}</ref>

===Second World War===

====1939–1942====
[[File:RAF Bomber Command 1940 HU104656.jpg|thumb|right|An 83 Squadron Handley Page Hampden and crew, pictured at Scampton, October 1940]]

At the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]], Scampton transferred to [[No. 5 Group RAF|No. 5 Group]] within [[Bomber Command|RAF Bomber Command]], playing host to the Hampdens of No. 49 Squadron and No. 83 Squadron. On 3 September 1939, six hours after the declaration of war, RAF Scampton launched the first offensive by the RAF when six Hampdens of No. 83 Squadron, led by (the then) [[Flying Officer]] [[Guy Gibson]] and three No. 49 Squadron Hampdens, one piloted by Flying Officer [[Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd|Roderick Learoyd]], were despatched to conduct a sweep off [[Wilhelmshaven]] in Germany. Further operations involving Scampton's squadrons concerned them with the hazardous task of low level minelaying (code named 'Gardening').{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=163}}

For a short time the station was home to the [[Avro Manchester]], operated by No. 49 Squadron and No. 83 Squadron. This was a brief liaison, with the squadrons subsequently converting to the [[Avro Lancaster]]. Forming No. 83 Conversion Flight (CF) on 11 April 1942, which in turn was followed by No. 49 CF on 16 May, both squadrons were fully equipped with the Lancaster by the end of June. It was during this period that No. 83 Squadron took delivery of Lancaster Mk.I ''R5868'' which would one day become the Station's gate guardian.<ref name="rafmuseum"/>

In turn both resident squadrons were then replaced at Scampton by [[No. 57 Squadron RAF|No. 57 Squadron]].<ref name="RAFHist" />{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=163}} The first departure was that of No. 83 Squadron which left in August 1942, transferring to [[RAF Wyton]] in order to become part of the fledgling [[Pathfinder Force]]. This departure resulted in No. 83 CF moving to [[RAF Wigsley]], where it was disbanded into No. 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit. On 2 January 1943, No. 49 Squadron departed for [[RAF Fiskerton]] with No. 49 CU disbanding, subsequently becoming 'C' Flight of No. 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit at [[RAF Waddington]]. By early January 1943 this left No. 57 Squadron as the sole occupier of the base.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=43}}
[[File:RAF Scampton 022.jpg|thumb|right|The grave of Guy Gibson's dog]]

====1943–1945====
Following the development of the [[Bouncing bomb#Upkeep|''Upkeep'']] bouncing bomb, [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|No. 617 Squadron]], originally referred to as "Squadron X", was formed at Scampton in order to carry out the proposed raid, codenamed [[Operation Chastise]]. More commonly referred to as the "Dambusters Raid", the raid would go down as the most famous and widely remembered in the history of the RAF.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/bouncing-bomb-that-flew-in-the-face-of-reason-590434.html|title=Bouncing bomb that flew in the face of reason|work=The Independent|date=12 May 2003|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref>

On the night of 16–17 May 1943, No. 617 Squadron despatched nineteen Lancasters from Scampton. Led by [[Wing commander|Wing Commander]] Guy Gibson, the main bulk of the squadron attacked the [[Sorpe Dam|Sorpe]], [[Eder Dam|Eder]] and [[Möhne Reservoir|Möhne]] dams with an additional aircraft tasked to perform an attack on the Schwelm Dam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno617squadron.cfm |title=Bomber Command No. 617 Squadron |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> Both the [[Eder Dam|Eder]] and [[Möhne Reservoir|Möhne]] dams were breached, however eight of the Lancasters despatched failed to return and fifty-three aircrew were lost. Following the raid Wing Commander Gibson was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]], becoming Scampton's third recipient of the award. On the day of the raid, Wing Commander Gibson's dog, [[Nigger (dog)|Nigger]], was run over and killed on the [[A15 road (England)|A15]] outside the entrance to the base. He was buried later that night, his grave situated outside Gibson's office at No. 3 Hangar.{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=164}}
[[File:Wing Commander Guy Gibson, Vc, Dso and Bar, Dfc and Bar, Commander of 617 Squadron (dambusters) at Scampton, Lincolnshire, 22 July 1943 TR1127.jpg|thumb|left|One of a series of iconic images of the members of 617 Squadron taken at RAF Scampton on 22 July 1943, and featuring (left to right) Wing Commander Guy Gibson; Pilot Officer P.M. Spafford; Flight Lieutenant R. E. G. Hutchinson; Pilot Officer G. A. Deering and Flying Officer H. T. Taerum.]]

In July 1943, No. 617 Squadron was again involved in a precision operation, when twelve aircraft of the squadron took off from Scampton to attack targets in Northern Italy, following which the aircraft continued on to North Africa. The operation met little opposition but the targets were obscured by valley haze and they were not destroyed. The twelve crews returned to Scampton on 25 July from North Africa after bombing [[Livorno|Leghorn]] docks on the return journey. Later in the month nine aircraft took off from Scampton to drop leaflets on [[Milan]], [[Bologna]], [[Genoa]] and [[Turin]] in Italy. All aircraft completed the mission and landed safely in [[Blida]], Algeria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s310295659.websitehome.co.uk/dambusters/drupal/docs/recordbook.pdf|page=34|title=617 Squadron - The Operational Record Book - 1943-1945|first=Tobin|last=Jones|publisher=Blinx Publishing|year=2002}}</ref>

At the end of August 1943, No. 57 Squadron and No. 617 Squadron moved to [[RAF East Kirkby]] and [[RAF Coningsby]] respectively, so that Scampton's runways could be upgraded. With the increased all up weight of the Lancaster it was apparent that the load bearing of hardened runways would be required.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onm4mTcGDqs |title=Dam Buster Pilot Interview Squadron Leader Les Munro |author=Battle of Britain TV |date=17 May 2013 |access-date=10 July 2016 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The airfield closed at the end of August 1943 for the work to take place re-opening in October 1944. Three concrete runways were laid out. The three runways available were: 05/23 at {{convert|2000|yds|m|1|abbr=on}}, 01/19 at {{convert|1500|yds|m|1|abbr=on}} and 11/29 at {{convert|1400|yds|m|1|abbr=on}}. A total of eleven loop hard-standings were laid down along the perimeter track to replace those lost or isolated by the construction. The work also saw new bomb stores constructed on land north of the north-west corner of the airfield. The personnel at Scampton at this time was given as 1,844 males and 268 females.<ref name="raf.mod.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafscampton/aboutus/war.cfm |title=RAF Scampton Heritage Centre: At War |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> On completion of the required work the area of land which the base occupied had now increased to {{convert|580|acre|hectare|order=flip}}.<ref name="moderngov" />

Following the work control of the station passed from No. 5 Group to [[No. 1 Group RAF|No. 1 Group]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf-lincolnshire.info/scampton/scampton.htm |title=Scampton |website=RAF Lincolnshire.info |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> with a new arrival following the upgrade being No. 1690 Bomber Defence Training Flight (BDTF) which arrived on 13 July 1944. The BDTF operated the [[Supermarine Spitfire]], [[Hawker Hurricane]] and [[Miles Martinet]], the flight undertaking fighter affiliation against bombers. This unit stayed at the station until September 1944, when it moved to [[RAF Metheringham]]. It was replaced by No. 1687 BDTF, which arrived in early December 1944, and departed for [[RAF Hemswell]] in April 1945.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7162039?descriptiontype=Full&ref=AIR+29/882|title=1687 Bomber Defence Training Flight, Scampton and Hemswell (BDT UK)|publisher=National Archives|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref> Two Lancaster squadrons, [[No. 153 Squadron RAF|No. 153 Squadron]], and later [[No. 625 Squadron RAF|No. 625 Squadron]], of No. 1 Group also arrived at Scampton.{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=165}}

The last bombing mission of the Second World War launched from RAF Scampton was on 25 April 1945, when aircraft from No. 153 Squadron and No. 625 Squadron were despatched as part of the [[Bombing of Obersalzberg]].<ref name="raf3">{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafscampton/aboutus/history.cfm |title=RAF Scampton – History |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> During the war RAF Scampton lost a total of 551 aircrew and 266 aircraft.<ref name="raf3" /> Of these 155 were Hampdens and fifteen Manchesters.<ref name="raf.mod.uk" />

===Post-Second World War===
Following the end of hostilities No. 153 Squadron disbanded on 28 September 1945,{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=63}} followed by No. 625 Squadron on 7 October.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=101}} The station continued to operate the [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster]] when [[No. 100 Squadron RAF|No. 100 Squadron]] arrived in December 1945.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=54}} They were to be the last Lancaster squadron on the station, departing for [[RAF Lindholme]] in May 1946.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=54}} Returning to their former home in December 1945, No. 57 Squadron introduced the [[Avro Lincoln]] to the station.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=43}}

[[File:B-29-scampton-1948.jpg|thumb|right|A B-29 of the [[28th Bombardment Group]], [[718th Intelligence Squadron|718th Bombardment Squadron]] at RAF Scampton]]From July 1948, Scampton was home to the [[28th Bombardment Group]] of the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF), operating the [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]]es as part of a network of Emergency War Plan Airfields. With its main runway less than {{convert|6,000|ft|m|abbr=on}} in length and a chronic shortage of suitable hardstandings, Scampton was far from ideal as a base for the thirty USAF and RAF B-29 Superfortresses, the latter's known as "Washington B.1". In January 1949, as circumstances changed, the USAF squadrons were withdrawn and RAF Scampton was handed back to the RAF.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dambusters.org.uk/airfields/scampton/ |title=Scampton |website=The Dambusters |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref>

===Cold War===

====1950s====
During this period RAF Scampton was supporting four [[English Electric Canberra]] squadrons;<ref name="raf5">{{cite web|title=RAF Scampton Heritage Centre|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafscampton/heritagecentre/heritagecentre.cfm|access-date=10 July 2016|website=Royal Air Force}}</ref> [[No. 10 Squadron RAF|No. 10 Squadron]], [[No. 18 Squadron RAF|No. 18 Squadron]], [[No. 21 Squadron RAF|No. 21 Squadron]] and [[No. 27 Squadron RAF|No. 27 Squadron]].<ref name="raf5"/> The Canberras moved out in 1955 when the station was earmarked as a [[V bomber|V-bomber]] base, in the case of Scampton, the [[Avro Vulcan]].{{sfn|Birtles|2012|p=71}}<ref name="moderngov" /> This required extensive new ground facilities, including a high security area for the storage and maintenance of [[nuclear weapon]]s and heavy-duty hardstandings for the aircraft.<ref name="moderngov" />
[[File:Vulcan 62.jpg|thumb|left|An Avro Vulcan B.2 of [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|617 Squadron]]]]

The first nuclear weapons to be delivered to Scampton arrived during 1958 and comprised twenty kiloton (20kt) atomic bombs given the [[Rainbow Code]], [[Blue Danube (nuclear weapon)|Blue Danube]]. They were replaced by the smaller [[Yellow Sun (nuclear weapon)|Yellow Sun]] Stage 1 (Mk.1) which were the first of the UK's operational [[thermonuclear]] weapons. The development of the stand-off nuclear missile [[Blue Steel missile|Blue Steel]] required the construction of new specialist buildings: the Missile Servicing and Storage Building (MSSB) which was erected between the main hangars and the airfield, and the highly volatile [[High Test Peroxide]] (HTP) and [[kerosene]] fuel storage buildings which were located at some distance from the MSSB.<ref name="moderngov" />

Additional structures and parts of the layout were also altered. In particular the runway was rearranged to a NE/SW (current designation alignment 04/22)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/spotting/scampton.php |title=Airfield Viewing Guide – RAF Scampton |first=Damien |last=Burke |website=Thunder & Lightnings |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> and extended to {{convert|9000|ft|m|sigfig=3}}. This caused the runway to project beyond the north east corner of the base and required the re-routing of Ermine Street ([[A15 road (England)|A15]]), the most noticeable artificial landscape feature in the area and the historic boundary for such elements as parish boundaries and field systems. Trees along the former tree-lined avenue to Hackthorn Park were also removed between the old line of Ermine Street and the end of the runway. The eastward bulge in the A15 road can still be seen north of Lincoln.{{sfn|Halpenny|1981|p=167}}

[[File:RAF Scampton front the air.jpeg|thumb|right|Aerial view of RAF Scampton, March 2016. The developments undertaken at the station during the [[Cold War]] are evident, including the alteration to the course of the [[A15 road (England)|A15]] ''(Ermine Street)''.]]
During the [[Cold War]], the airfield developed its current form, imposing on the landscape in a much more spectacular way. Its extent was no longer bounded by existing field boundaries, but by the shape required for the runway extension. This caused the south-west and north-west corners of the base to jut out from the earlier rectangular plan. Areas of hard standing with associated Operational Readiness Platforms (ORPs) were also provided as were technical buildings. The Unit Storage buildings to the far north of the site were constructed for storage and maintenance of nuclear bombs. Upon the introduction of the Blue Steel stand-off missile, new buildings were constructed just to the north-east of the hangars, to develop, maintain and fuel the missiles. A new control tower was constructed close to these buildings to provide a view of the newly expanded runway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/raf-scampton-historic-characterisation/figures-6-10/|title=RAF Scampton Historical Characterisation|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

The work undertaken increased the land area of the station to {{convert|920|acre|hectare|order=flip}} acres. On completion No. 617 Squadron returned to their former home, re-forming in May 1958.<ref name="raf5"/>

==== 1960s–1980s ====
In October 1960, [[No. 83 Squadron RAF|No. 83 Squadron]] arrived at Scampton from RAF Waddington and equipped with the [[Avro Vulcan#Vulcan B.1 and B.2|Vulcan B.2]].<ref name="rafmuseum">{{cite web |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/74-A-12-Avro-Lancaster-R5868.pdf |title=Avro Lancaster B.Mk.1 R5868/7325M: Museum Accession Number 74/A/12 |website=RAF Museum |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> Together with No. 27 Squadron and No. 617 Squadron, who by this time had also taken delivery of the Vulcan, the "Scampton Wing" was formed, the aircraft equipped with the Blue Steel stand-off missile.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205213841|title=The Royal Air Force 1950-1969|publisher=Imperial War Museum|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

On 30 June 1968, Blue Steel operations at Scampton were terminated, as the [[Royal Navy]], with the [[submarine]] launched [[UGM-27 Polaris|Polaris missile]], assumed responsibility for the UK [[Nuclear strategy|nuclear deterrent]]. Scampton squadrons were assigned to the tactical nuclear and conventional bombing roles. This led to the disbandment of No. 83 Squadron in August 1969, however in December 1969 [[No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit RAF|No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit]] moved to RAF Scampton from [[RAF Finningley]].<ref name=lake>Alan Lake, ''Flying Units of the RAF'', Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1999. {{ISBN|1-84037-086-6}}.</ref>
[[File:Avro 698 Vulcan B.2 XH534 230 OCU COLT 180971 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Avro 698 Vulcan B.2 XH534 of 230 Operational Conversion Unit]]

Part of the post-war development and upgrading of the station, in common with many other RAF stations at the time, saw the establishment of a primary school for the children of those personnel stationed on the base. Located to the south of the base entrance, and adjacent to the eastern perimeter fence, the current school was built in 1961 and replaced the makeshift schooling which had been provided in the Officer's Mess since 1951. The official opening of the school took place on 24 November 1961, and the first children attended the school in January 1962. The buildings are typical of small primary schools built in the 1960s, with a flat roof, large windows and uniformly one storey high. There are several prefabricated extensions which present an informal building layout.<ref name="historicengland">{{cite web|date=October 2004|title=RAF Scampton: Historic Characterisation|url=https://content.historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/raf-scampton-historic-characterisation/raf-scampton-historic-characterisation.pdf|access-date=10 July 2016|website=Historic England}}</ref>

Individual unit allocations were re-introduced in 1971, and throughout the decade Scampton continued to be home to No. 27 Squadron, No. 617 Squadron and No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit, with [[No. 35 Squadron RAF|No. 35 Squadron]] joining them from [[RAF Akrotiri]] in 1975.<ref name=lake/>

With disbandment of No. 230 Operational Conversion Unit and the cessation of No. 617 Squadron's Vulcan operations in 1981,<ref name="raf3"/> followed by the cessation of Vulcan flying at Scampton by No. 27 Squadron and No. 35 Squadron in 1982, Scampton was transferred to [[RAF Support Command]] and became home to the [[Central Flying School]] (CFS) in 1983. This role for the station saw the CFS operating such aircraft as the [[BAC Jet Provost]], [[Scottish Aviation Bulldog]] and the [[Short Tucano]], sharing the air space with the [[BAE Systems Hawk|Hawker Siddeley Hawks]] of the [[Red Arrows]]. A further addition to the complement of the station occurred in 1984 with the arrival of the [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado Radar Repair Unit]].<ref name="raf3"/> The first Jet Provost retired during March 1988 due to the replacement of the type by the Short Tucano T.1.{{sfn|March|1989|p=88}}

===Post-Cold War===
[[File:Radar Tower RAF Scampton - geograph.org.uk - 89227.jpg|thumb|right|Radar Tower RAF Scampton]]

====1990s====
In August 1990, RAF Scampton became home to the [[Joint Arms Control Implementation Group]], a joint service organisation responsible for overseeing the implementation of the [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe|Control of Armed Forces in Europe Treaty]], the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]], [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty|Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty]], [[Treaty on Open Skies]] and the [[Vienna Document]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Arms Reduction Verification (Hansard, 6 March 1990)|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1990/mar/06/arms-reduction-verification|website=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|date=6 March 1990|access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref>

In 1996, Scampton was mothballed under the [[Front Line First]] programme, with the CFS moving to [[RAF Cranwell]]. The decision was initially taken to close the base completely along with RAF Finningley, this being confirmed by [[Nicholas Soames]] [[Member of parliament|MP]] in a statement to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] on 25 March 1995.  This would end the Red Arrows 12 year residency (1983 to 1995), and began a 6 year period of "Care & Maintenance" inactivity with the base largely unused.<ref name="lincolnshireecho.co.uk">{{cite news |url=http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/SOS-team-launches-counter-attack/story-11193867-detail/story.html |title=SOS team launches a counter attack |date=24 March 2009 |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/%E2%80%8CCommons/1995-03-23/debates/9b3c3b92-8032-4387-9679-e1796ce66adb/RafTraining|title= RAF Training|date=23 March 1995|publisher= Hansard|access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref>

====2000s and the second closure====
Opposition to the planned closure was strong and a group was formed called "Save our Scampton" (SOS), backed by the ''[[Lincolnshire Echo]],'' the County Council and the [[Member of parliament|MP]] for [[Gainsborough and Horncastle (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough and Horncastle]], [[Edward Leigh]].<ref name="lincolnshireecho.co.uk" /> One plan put forward for the base following its proposed redundancy involved turning the site into a prison, but this plan was not continued with.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Plans-make-RAF-base-prison-surprise-owner/story-11191983-detail/story.html |title=Plans to make former RAF base a prison surprise owner |date=4 November 2008 |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref>

The Red Arrows, though, continued to train in the [[Airspace class#United Kingdom|airspace surrounding the airfield (Restricted Zone EG R313)]] and accommodation at Scampton continued to be used as overflow from RAF Waddington. During this intervening period 110 of the post-war [[non-commissioned officer]] married quarters were sold to Welbeck Estate Group who had previously acquired technical and domestic sites at [[RAF Hemswell]], married quarters at [[RAF Faldingworth]] and [[RAF Strike Command]] Headquarters at [[RAF Bawtry]].<ref>twsg.co.uk</ref>

RAF Scampton received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of Lincoln]] on 14 May 1993.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 April 2017|title=RAF stations set for Freedom of the City parade in Lincoln|url=http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2017/04/raf-stations-set-freedom-city-parade-lincoln/}}</ref>

=== 21st century ===
Following concerns over capacity and flight safety at RAF Cranwell, the then current home of the Red Arrows, several other training and flying squadrons and units, the decision was taken to remove RAF Scampton from "Care & Maintenance" status and reopen the base, and initially return the Red Arrows, as well as introduce and relocate over time other functions and units, heightening the importance and presence of this historic base. The great influx in personnel and units into Scampton demanded a degree of upgrades and modernisation to much of the office and domestic housing, but during in-depth investigations a further report by the Defence Estates Organisation was published, citing the original cost estimate had more than doubled to £4.5Bn as a result of the substantial amount of remedial work needed as significant amount of the facilities being unused since the reopening in 2001, and some since the mid 1980s, forcing a halt to the overall scheme.<ref>Closure threat to RAF base lifted". BBC News. 10 January 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2016.</ref>

From January 2001 until early 2023, two years after the UK Ministry of Defence announced that RAF Scampton would permanently close as an RAF base, the Red Arrows were the sole RAF Flying unit stationed there, although a private military aviation contractor, Hawker Hunter Aviation, also shared the airfield. Immediately prior to closure, the Red Arrows relocated to RAF Waddington, and HHA relocated to RAF Leeming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2019-02-05/debates/5C2C5251-A4D6-46DF-AED2-698B10DB11BA/RAFScamptonAndTheRedArrows0|title=RAF Scampton and the Red Arrows|access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hunterteam.com/about-us/ | title=About us|publisher=Hunter Team|access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/lincoln-news/eleventh-hour-rally-cry-help-2488448|title=Eleventh hour rally cry to help save RAF Scampton from closure - and time is running out to sign the petition|date=30 January 2019|publisher=Lincolnshire Live|access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

In 2005 Scampton was again placed under the control of RAF Strike Command, becoming home to the UK Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) and [[Mobile Meteorological Unit]] (MMU). The [[No.1 Air Control Centre]] (No.1 ACC) deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 as part of [[Operation Herrick]], the deployment lasting until 2009.<ref name="raf3"/>

By 2008, the future once again looked uncertain for Scampton.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-18493345 |title=Red Arrows to remain at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire |date=18 June 2012 |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> A decision was taken by the then [[Brown ministry|Labour Government]] that the base would be "downsized", the Red Arrows would move to RAF Waddington by July 2011<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-16205679 |title=Red Arrows RAF Scampton move plan to be reviewed |date=15 December 2011 |website=BBC News |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> and ASACS would also be relocated from the base<ref name="bbc"/> taking up residence at [[RAF Coningsby]] by 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7698745.stm |title=RAF bases are to be scaled back |date=29 October 2008 |website=BBC News |access-date=10 July 2016}}</ref> However the Strategic Defence Spending Review and [[Operation Ellamy|operations in Libya]] meant the plan was suspended with the decision put on hold pending a further review in 2011.<ref name="bbc"/> The review concluded that keeping the Red Arrows at Scampton was the best way for them to operate, without affecting other operational flying bases.<ref name="bbc"/>

In July 2018, the Ministry of Defence announced that Scampton would close and then be sold off with all remaining units relocated to other RAF bases by 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Arrows base axed in cost-cutting manoeuvre|editor-last=Witherow|editor-first=John |work=The Times |issue=72595 |date=24 July 2018 |page=7|issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name="Sold off"/> In May 2020, it was announced that the Red Arrows would move to RAF Waddington, and No. 1 ACC to [[RAF Boulmer]] in Northumberland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Arrows to stay in Lincolnshire when base shuts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-52709531 |access-date=19 May 2020 |work=BBC News |date=19 May 2020}}</ref>

In April 2022, the Aviation Medicine Flight, part of the [[RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine]] relocated to Scampton from [[MoD Boscombe Down|MOD Boscombe Down]] after retiring their [[BAE Systems Hawk]] T1 aircraft. The moves allowed the flight to continue its work using Hawks operated by the [[Red Arrows]].<ref>{{cite web |date=28 April 2022 |title=RAF Medical Services |url=https://www.facebook.com/RAFMedServices/posts/pfbid02Me1niPceMFjnS8GQ4TYbCPpMb4eACc5MTPnZ7rh4maYfqn9r6PXKafFr8Tz9mmQhl?__cft__[0]=AZWe8jJQo-GwCPQamobgcwaEMkjHVBOtPiU0mo0AU3QY5YdMm1H1qqM-wX31T3Xs1XMjTAx5VLYMoYoBUPMBLNMlij-xk2Nicu5chdei_uYMajJAANFsLVf4fsTH7scft7nDqBtC4vuH07gYjGi5np5k&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R |access-date=14 June 2022 |website=Facebook}}</ref>

On 6 September 2022 a fly past of the [[Red Arrows]] and [[Avro Lancaster]] bomber aircraft took place in anticipation of the closure of the base in December 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-62769304|title=RAF Scampton: Flypast and parade mark closure of Dambusters station|work=BBC News |date=5 September 2022}}</ref> During October 2022 the [[Red Arrows]] left the base for [[RAF Waddington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/red-arrows/new-era-red-arrows-move-raf-waddington-home|title=New era as Red Arrows move to RAF Waddington|date=13 October 2022 |publisher=Forces Net|access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref> The station closed on 31 March 2023.<ref name=":1" />

In December 2023 challenges against government plans to use the base to house [[asylum seeker]]s were dismissed at the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]]. [[West Lindsey|West Lindsey District Council]] had claimed the government's plans were unlawful but judge [[Justine Thornton|Mrs Justice Thornton]] dismissed the claims for a [[judicial review]] saying that the government's use of emergency powers to change the legal purpose of the land to house asylum seekers was appropriate "given its argument that they could become destitute if more accommodation was not found beyond the use of hotels." Sir [[Edward Leigh]], the MP for [[Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough]], said he was "disappointed by the result."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/all-challenges-against-govt-plans-to-use-raf-bases-to-house-asylum-seekers-thrown-out-13023930|title=All challenges against government plans to use RAF bases to house asylum seekers thrown out|website=Sky News|accessdate=6 December 2023}}</ref> During September 2024, it was announced that the plans have been scrapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y3v6qg1dko|title=Plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Scampton axed|date=5 September 2024 |publisher=BBC News|access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref>