How can defence chiefs axe this proud part of the nation’s history?
being sold – with only the promise of a small museum left in the new residential development.
Last night, public anger was rising over the proposed sell-off.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon, chief of the Air Staff from 1992 to 1997, insisted the base should still have a future and said its closure reduced the number of airfields where military aircraft could be located, which made them more vulnerable to attack.
“This is getting close to a saving too far,” he said, and claimed only a “catastrophe” will see a full understanding of “the consequences of closing RAF Scampton”.
He added: “It is a very good base. It has an extremely long runway and is situated in a part of the country which is ideal in many ways.
“I just hope that all of these consequences of closing Scampton are fully understood and appreciated.”
Former Lancaster Bomber wireless operator Peter Palmer, 97, who flew a mission to drop a 12,000lb bomb on Adolf Hitler’s retreat in the Bavarian Alps in 1945, said: “It is a betrayal. I think it is awful they are selling off this historic base.”
Daily Express reader Peter added: “It sometimes feels like I fought for nothing when I see the Government wasting all our money on other things such as benefits for people who are too lazy to work. It’s wrong.”
Six hundred people currently work at the historic base and are in fear of redundancy, along with 300 colleagues stationed at RAF Lintonon-Ouse in North Yorkshire, which is also to be axed.
Linton-on-Ouse is situated between York and Easingwold and is where Prince William trained as a pilot.
Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said losing RAF Scampton “was as serious a blow as Lincoln losing the cathedral”.
Nicky Barr, of the International Bomber Command Centre, said they had been inundated with phone calls from angry ex-service crew and members of the public, while their Facebook page was swamped with hundreds of furious comments within hours of the news breaking.
She said: “It is desperately sad that Scampton is to be closed. There is more than 100 years of RAF heritage, while for Lincolnshire it has been such a key part of the whole county’s identity.
“Scampton is very rare as there are very few bases that have been continually operational and we now have a massive question over where the Red Arrows are going.
“We are very proud and possessive of the Reds and can only hope that they will be relocated to a base nearby and stay within the Lincolnshire community.” Angry members of the public vented their fury online.
Mac Bishop said: “My dad will be turning in his grave, the missions he went on from there. Also, his fellow crew who gave their lives just so this poxy Government can sell off. Totally disgusting.”
Birthday
Jo Monro said: “This is just simply disgusting. The home of the Red Arrows, the home of the Dambusters. Happy 100th birthday to the RAF!”
Announcing the cost-cutting measure, the Government confirmed RAF Scampton would close in 2022, with the Red Arrows relocating to a site “more fit for purpose”.
Plans were also confirmed to transfer basic and fast-jet training from RAF Linton-on-Ouse to RAF Valley in Anglesey in 2019. They would cease using Linton in 2020.
Sir Edward Leigh, Tory MP for Gainsborough, said he was “saddened” that the base, which is in his constituency, was to be sold “as part of cost-saving measures”.
He tweeted: “Not the best way to mark the #RAF100 – closing the home of the RAF Red Arrows and Dambuster squadron.”
However, retired Squadron Leader Paul Mason, 67, who flew an RAF Tornado bomber in the first Gulf War and whose son is a serving RAF Typhoon pilot, said: “My predecessors and I all fought in wars and conflicts to ensure we have freedoms.
“And part of that freedom, I guess, is the right to be able to knock down old buildings which are no longer of use to make way for other things – such as new houses – which are desperately needed.
“But, of course, it will be very sad for people who served at Scampton and who have a strong emotional attachment to it. I just hope they are able to preserve its memory in some form.”
Retired Squadron Leader Andy Lawless said: “Unfortunately, these decisions don’t come down to emotion, it’s pure financial facts. There is so much history involved but, sadly, economics are the way of the modern world.”
The famous Dambusters Second World War raid launched from Scampton, codenamed Operation Chastise, saw 133 aircrew in 19 Lancasters attack the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams.
Using inventor Barnes Wallis’s 9,000lb bouncing bombs, which skimmed over the surface of the lakes, they breached two dams, flooding large parts of the Ruhr and disrupting the Nazi war effort. But eight bombers were lost, with 53 men killed.
Downing Street officials defended the closure plans, insisting the move will save taxpayers £140million.
A spokesman said: “That closure is part of a plan to deliver modern and efficient military bases.
“Work is under way to find the Red Arrows a new home that is fit for purpose.”