North Coates history can be traced back to 1914 when the army opened a camp on the site. The first aircraft, a BE2c, was noted landing here on 4th August that year. It wasn't until 1926 though that the airfield then know as North Coates Fitties really became established with the formation of an armaments practice camp.

The 1930's saw North Coates Fitties expand from temporary tented accommodation to permanent buildings and hangars with the addition of an Air Observers School. Bomber squadrons would spend two weeks at the airfield whilst utilising the nearby Theddlethorpe range.

At the outbreak of WW2 the airfield was transferred to Coastal Command and the name Fitties dropped. Bristol Blenheim 1F and 1VF's were the first occupants tasked with attacking enemy shipping at low level. A trade mark which Coastal Command continued throughout the conflict. The Blenheim gave way to the Lockheed Hudson Hampden torpedo bomber, Bristol Beaufighter and Bristol Beaufort. It was whilst flying a Bristol Beaufort that flying officer Kenneth Campbell of 22 Sqdn. was posthumously awarded the VC for his daring attack on the Gneisenaua in Brest harbour.

North Coates is probably best known for the formation of the very fast Beaufighter Strike Wing who gained notoriety for their daring and highly successful low level attacks on enemy convoys. A task they carried out until the cessation of hostilities.

Post war, the airfield hosted a variety of maintenance units and a squadron of Sycamore helicopters before the UK's first Bloodhound SAM site. The RAF finally pulled out of North Coates in 1990 ceasing 64 years of continuous Military occupation.