RAF Scampton's closing military parade takes place

A closure parade for RAF Scampton is underway, celebrating its heritage with a flypast and music from the Band of the Royal Air Force College

From opening in 1916, the Lincolnshire air station, is known for being the base for the Dambusters, who are regarded as succeeding one of the great technical achievements of the Second World War.

This will be the last event at the station, closing as part of cost-saving measures.

Wing Commander Neill Atkins says the station's personnel have huge courage and innovation as he reflects on the stations past:

"These traits were incisively demonstrated by the members of the 617 Squadron, the Dam busters, and particularly during that squadrons famous World War 2 raid on the Ruhr valley dams, under the leadership of Wing Commander Guy Gibson."

But Mr Atkins also says there's much more to the stations history than just world war 2:

"More recently the station has of course been home to the Red Arrows, since 1983, who's world famous flying represents the speed, agility and precision of the Royal Air Force. Acting as ambassadors for the United Kingdom at home and oversees, to represent the best of British."

Flight Lieutenant David Swift was previously based there in 2018 but is now at RAF Waddington:

"For me, it was a really poignant end to that era. I loved being at Scampton, it was a real family feel of a unit, so much history, so much going on here. So yeah, a moment of sadness for me but really glad I could be here and be part of it."

Mr Swift also added that the base has made a name for itself:

"Obviously Lancaster and the Reds both synonymous with Scampton, the station is steeped in history. There's so much that's gone on before us, and we talk a lot about building the next generation Air Force, but we will never forget the people who went ahead of us and put that ground work in to get us where we are now."

For Flight Lieutenant Jo Ewing, who has been based at Scampton since July 2020, it's an honour to have been there:

"For me having serviced at main operating bases such as Brize Norton, it's been a unique experience to be here, where that tangible link to history can be felt, and you can be influenced for the future.

"I have immense pride in my service, being 25 years in the same job, I clearly love it and I'm proud of what I do. So, to be able to celebrate other people who've walked this ground before us who've influenced the future, it does make me really proud, really proud to be in the Air Force."