Wittering, now in Cambridgeshire, began as RFC Stamford in 1916. By the end of the First World War, it had been renamed RAF Wittering, and was used by both British and American aircraft. It had six hangars, fifteen aircraft sheds and many other buildings and huts. In 1919 the base became a storage depot, and all flying stopped. In 1924, most of the First World War buildings were demolished to make way for new structures. The RAF Central Flying School moved to Wittering in 1926. Buildings included hangars, accommodation buildings, offices and workshops.



New buildings and a concrete taxiway were built in 1936, and Wittering became an RAF Fighter station in 1939. In 1943, the grass runway was lengthened by joining Wittering and nearby RAF Collyweston’s airfields. This made it suitable for emergency use by heavy bombers. After the war, Collyweston and Wittering were merged. In 1952 a new hard runway was laid to prepare the base to operate jet aircraft. Wittering then became home to a series of bombers. New brick and concrete buildings had to be constructed, including special stores for nuclear weapons. Harriers replaced bombers in 1969, and the base became known as 'home of the Harrier’.



Wittering was allocated to the Eighth Air Force in 1942 but used only by lodger units, including the 63rd Fighter Squadron and 55th Fighter Squadron.



After the war, Collyweston and Wittering were merged. In 1952 a new hard runway was laid, 2,759 m (9,052 ft) long. This was to prepare the base to operate jet aircraft. Wittering then became home to a series of bombers. First the Canberra, then 'V-force’ aircraft. This meant that new brick and concrete buildings had to be constructed, including special stores for nuclear weapons. Harriers replaced V-bombers in 1969. The base was known as 'home of the Harrier’ for many years.