Due to an increase in German bombing raids and the heavier commitment of Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) aircraft in France, the Royal Flying Corps was given the task of Home Defence, setting up a number of squadrons, with flights spread over the length of the British coastline.

On 27 November 1916, a patrol of B.E.2cs flying from Seaton Carew intercepted two groups of Zeppelin airships over the North East coast.

In the manner of many First World War aerodromes, Usworth languished unused for over a decade, apart from at least one visit by Alan Cobham's Flying Circus, until being re-activated on 17 March 1930.

The Auxiliary pilots and groundcrew of No 607 squadron came from all walks of life locally and were trained by a nucleus of regular RAF personnel, including 2 Qualified Flying Instructors.

The following month the first aircraft, a de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth and two Avro 504N trainers, arrived for flying training to commence.

Training continued in earnest, and in June 1934 the squadron proudly flew nine of its Wapiti aircraft in formation past its first Honorary Air Commodore, the Marquis of Londonderry.

On 24 May 1934, at the Empire Air Day, the County Durham public had been given their first opportunity to view the work of the squadron at close hand when the station was opened.

When Usworth opened its gates to the public on the RAF's Empire Air Day in May 1936, the flying display of all twelve of No.

With the squadron becoming a fighter unit, the Wapitis were given up for the faster and more graceful Hawker Demons that started to arrive in late September 1936.

In addition to the laying of the runways, the airfield was expanded to the south, east and west by taking in adjoining fields.

A new perimeter track was laid around the airfield boundary with eight dispersal pens, each capable of taking a twin-engined aircraft.

This Operations room was later supplemented by an underground Battle Headquarters near the Cow Stand Farm corner of the airfield.

On the North Camp, much of the vacant land was taken up with new accommodation blocks for the expected large influx of personnel, including WAAFs.

These sites included a searchlight camp at the top of Ferryboat lane, and small AA gun posts out on the Birtley road, above the old quarries at the bottom end of Boldon Bank and along the disused railway line towards North Hylton.

A large gunsite was set up near Downhill Farm, and on the Birtley road, well away from the station, a decontamination centre was built.

However, it would not be long before 607 Squadron would be called to action as they were to move to Merville between 10/15 November 1939, as part of the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force.

The work on the runways continued into 1940, and was much hampered by severe frosts that delayed the reopening for flying until the end of March 1940.

607 Squadron returned home, when ten aircraft arrived from RAF Croydon on 4 June 1940 to re-assemble and re-arm after their big show in France.

On 15 August 1940, a large formation of Heinkel He 111s of KG26, escorted by Messerschmitt Bf 110s of I/ZG76, were detected approaching the east coast.

At one stage several hundred Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah XIX engines were stored in their packing cases in the Lamella hangar.

In 1952 Airwork Ltd took over the maintenance and flying training for the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk of Durham University Air Squadron and No.

The Chipmunks were kept in the east end of the Lamella hangar at night and pushed out on to the tarmac during the day to allow minor maintenance to be carried out.

It is also the home of the squadron of the 2214(Usworth) Royal Air Force air cadets since 1941 and plays a key role in the community including fundraising, and parades for remembrance; it also hosts a range of activities for young people, including flying, gliding, shooting, first aid, leadership, and field craft[clarification needed].