During World War II, Short Stirling and Avro Lancasters Squadrons were stationed at the base, and between 1959 and 1963, 107 Squadron operated three Thor nuclear missiles.
On 19 October 1944 a Short Stirling bomber (LK 488), crashed on Mickle Fell whilst on a training flight from its base at RAF Wratting Common in Cambridgeshire - of the seven crew only one survived.
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No 620 Squadron was formed at RAF Chedburgh on 17 June 1943 as a heavy bomber squadron equipped with the Short Stirling.
The first operational squadron at the station was 218 Squadron, operating Short Stirling aircraft, who arrived from Marham in July 1942.
The airfield was opened in December 1942 and was first used by No. 90 Squadron of RAF Bomber Command, equipped with Short Stirling Bombers until May 1943, the station being at that time a satellite of RAF Stradishall.
On the evening of 24th April 1944, Short Stirling Mk3 LK552 JF-C manufactured by the Austin Motor Company from No. 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF Wigsley in Nottinghamshire took part in a night navigational exercise.