RAF Scampton 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 Royal Air Force. On the night of 16–17 May 1943, 617 Sqn despatched 19 Lancasters from Scampton. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the main bulk of the squadron attacked the Sorpe, Eder and Möhne dams with an additional aircraft tasked to perform an attack on the Schwelm Dam. Both the Eder and Möhne
RAF Scampton re-introduced in 1971, and throughout the decade RAF Scampton continued to be home to 27 Squadron, 617 Squadron and 230 Operational Conversion Unit. With disbandment of 230 Operational Conversion Unit and the cessation of 617 Squadron's Vulcan operations in 1981, Scampton transferred to RAF Support Command and became home to the Central Flying School in 1983. This role for the station saw the CFS operating such aircraft as the Scottish Aviation Bulldog and the Short Tucano, sharing the air space with the Hawks of the Red Arrows. A further addition to the compliment of the station occurred in 1984 with