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Republic of Singapore Air Force

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Republic of Singapore Air Force
RSAF Crest
The RSAF Crest
Founded1 April 1975
CountrySingapore
Part ofSingapore Armed Forces
Commanders
Chief of Air ForceMajor General Ng Chee Khern
Insignia
Air Force flagFile:Republic of Singapore Air Force Organisational Flag.svg
RoundelFile:RSAF Roundel 1990-present.svg
Aircraft flown
AttackF-15SG, AH-64
FighterF-16C/D, F-5S/T
PatrolF50 ME2
ReconnaissanceRF-5S
TrainerS211, PC-21, TA-4SU, EC120
TransportC-130H, F50 UTL, KC-135R, CH-47SD, Super Puma

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF, Chinese: 新加坡空军部队; Malay Angkatan Udara Republik Singapura) was established in 1968. At that time called the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC), it was renamed the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1975.

History

In January 1968, the British announced the imminent withdrawal of all their troops east of Suez by the end of 1971. There was very little time for the newly established Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to build up its air defences. The SAF then had concentrated its efforts mainly on building up the army. Initially, Singapore had relied on the British to provide for her security against external threats. While the army and a small navy were simultaneously being built up, Singapore had depended completely on Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) for air defence.

The predecessor of the RSAF, the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) was formed in September 1968. The SADC’s immediate task was to set up the Flying Training School to train pilots. Qualified flying instructors were obtained through Airwork Services Limited, a UK company specialising in defence services. Basic training for pilots was carried out using two Cessna light aircraft hired from the Singapore Flying Club. The SADC also enlisted the help of the Royal Air Force who introduced the first flying training syllabus and provided two ex-RAF pilots as instructors, as well as facilities and services at Seletar Airport. Finally, the first batch of six pilot trainees were sent to the United Kingdom in August 1968 to undergo training in various technical disciplines. The training was based on the Hawker Hunter, the SADC’s first air defence fighter. The following month, another pioneer group of technicians, this time from the rotary wing, were set to France to begin their technical training on the Alouette III helicopter. In 1969, a number of local RAF technicians were released to join the fledging SADC. These local technicians had experience working on RAF aircraft such as the Hunter, Javelin, Canberra and Shackleton.

Eight Cessna 172-H aircraft – the SADC’s first – arrived in May 1969 to be used for basic pilot training. By December, the first batch of students completed the course. Of these, six were sent to the UK to receive further training. With their return to Singapore in 1970, they were ready to operate the then newly-acquired Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft.

The pace of training pilots and ground crew picked up gradually. On 1 Aug 1969, Minister for the Interior and Defence, Mr Lim Kim San, inaugurated the Flying Training School (FTS) in RAF Tengah (now Tengah Airbase). The inauguration of FTS brought SADC closer to its goal of assuming the heavy responsibility of defending Singapore's airspace.

The subsequent arrival of the BAC Strikemasters in 1969, used for advanced phase flying training, meant that pilot trainees were now able to earn their initial wings locally rather than overseas. The first batch of locally trained fighter pilots were trained at the FTS and graduated in Nov 1970. Amongst this batch was 2LT Goh Yong Siang who rose to the appointment of Chief of Air Force on 1 Jul 1995. Gradually, the SADC had its own pilots, flying instructors, air traffic controllers as well as ground crew. When the British withdrawal began, the SADC was ready to take over the command of the air bases.

When Britain brought forward its plan to withdraw its forces by September 1971, the SADC was suddenly entrusted with a huge responsibility and resources. Britain’s former air bases – Tengah, Seletar, Sembawang and Changi – were handed over to the SADC, as well as its air defence radar station and the Bloodhound II surface-to-air missiles.

In 1973, the SADC procured Skyvan search-and-locate aircraft and A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers, With a reliable mix of fighters, fighter-bombers, helicopters and transport aircraft, the SADC was ready to assume the functions of a full-fledged air force. Accordingly, in April 1975, the SADC was renamed the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Organisation

Template:RSAF Infobox The RSAF is led by the Chief of Air Force (CAF). The current CAF is Major General Ng Chee Khern; one of the first F-16 pilots in Singapore. He took over office from Major General Lim Kim Choon who retired in March 2006 after serving in the position for a period of 5 years. The CAF reports directly to the Chief of Defence Force and is assisted by the Chief of Staff (Air Staff). The Air Staff comprise six functional departments: Air Manpower, Air Intelligence, Air Operations, Air Logistics, Air Plans and Air training. There are also two specialist departments: the Air Force Inspectorate (AFI) and the Office of the Chief Air Force Medical Officer (CAMO).

The organisation chart below shows the administrative chain of command with seven formations: Tengah Airbase, Paya Lebar Airbase, Changi Airbase (West), Changi Airbase (East), Sembawang Airbase, Air Defence Systems Division (ADSD) and the Tactical Air Support Command (TASC).


Overview

File:RSAF Aircraft.JPG
Models of RSAF Aircraft
U.S. Army soldiers board an RSAF Super Puma on the flight deck of the USS Rushmore during Exercise CARAT 2001.
A Singaporean CH-47SD lands on the flight deck of the USS Rushmore during Exercise CARAT 2001.
A Chinook carrying the 5,400 sq ft (500 m2) State Flag, being escorted by Apaches during the 2007 National Day Parade

The backbone of the RSAF is formed by the Block 52/52+ F-16 Fighting Falcons. These are armed with US-supplied AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles and LANTIRN targeting pods, laser guided munitions and conformal fuel tanks for long-range strike.

While initially having bought as many as 70 F-16 planes, the early Block 15OCU models will be delivered to Thailand as rent Udornthani air base in north-east of Thailand. This would mean that the RSAF will operate only the Block 52/52+ models and as many as 62 F-16CJ/DJ planes in total. The initial Block15OCU aircraft are believed to be upgraded to "Falcon One" standard by Singapore Technologies.

The RSAF also operates its aircraft in several overseas locations in order to provide greater exposure to its pilots. With F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, KC-135R Stratotankers, AH-64D Apaches and CH-47SD Chinook helicopters based in the USA, Marchetti S-211's and Super Puma helicopters in Australia and (T)A-4SU Super Skyhawks in France, almost one third of the inventory is based outside Singapore.

In 1994 the RSAF commenced a modernization program for its fleet of approximately 40 operational (R)F-5E and F-5F aircraft. The upgrade was performed by Singapore Technologies Aerospace (STAero) and the upgraded aircraft were designated (R)F-5S and F-5T respectively, operating from Paya Lebar Airbase. These upgraded F-5S/T are rumored to be capable of firing the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile but no actual live-firing has been reported.[citation needed] The Fighter force of F-16C/Ds and (R)F-5S/Ts is supported by four KC-135Rs and KC-130Bs for in-flight refuelling.

Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability was introduced when in 1987 four E-2C Hawkeyes were delivered to 111 Sqn and coastal surveillance is performed by five Fokker 50 MPA, armed with long-range anti-shipping Harpoon missiles and torpedoes.

Singapore has ordered twenty AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters and after a long period of negotiations over the delivery of the sophisticated Longbow radar, the first one was handed over on May 17, 2002, fitted with the Fire Control Radar. An extra batch of 12 Apaches was ordered in 2001, before the first delivery actually took place, so eventually the RSAF will operate 20 of these sophisticated attack helicopters. All of the initial eight Apaches are based in the USA. Three of the Apache Longbows returned in January 2006 at the Minister of Defense's request.

Apart from the six CH-47Ds delivered from 1996, a new batch of six aircraft was ordered in 1997, with an option of four extra airframes. At least 12 CH-47D have been delivered and are in-service at Sembawang Airbase, it is believed that these had been upgraded to the SD standard prior to delivery. Eight CH-47Ds were deployed to support the relief efforts in Indonesia's Tsunami disaster.

The RSAF also helped in the Indonesian Tsunami Relief efforts. It was the first and one of the few countries to reach the affected areas. The RSAF deployed C-130Hs, CH-47SDs and AS 332Ms there along with three of the RSN's Landing Ship Tanks and SAF's vehicles and soldiers.

On November 18th, 2004 it was announced the RSAF will be donating its remaining 7 F-16A/B's (3 Alphas and 4 Bravos) to the Royal Thai Air Force. The 8th plane was lost in an accident. It is believed that they were handed over in late 2005. In return, the RSAF was given access to train on the Thai air base of Udon Thani for a set number of days each year.

Also, after 31 years of operations, the RSAF officially withdrew its fleet of A-4SU Super Skyhawks from front-line service on 31 March 2005. The A-4SUs' achievements included flying directly from Singapore to the Philippines, incorporating the RSAF's first air-to-air refuelling mission in 1986, as well as the excellent aerobatic display of the 'red and white' Super Skyhawks flown by the RSAF Black Knights during Asian Aerospace 1990. A month before its retirement, the Skyhawk squadron won the top honours in a strike exercise against its more modern F-16 and F-5 counterparts.

In 2005, the Singapore Air Force sent 3 CH-47 Chinook helicopters, later increased to four, to participate in evacuation and rescue of civilians after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and surrounding areas in the United States. [1] The humanitarian effort by Singapore involved more aircraft than any other foreign country.[2]

Assets

File:RSAF Roundel 1990-present.svg
The RSAF Roundel 1990-Present.
File:RSAF Roundel 1990-present Low Visibility.svg
The Low visibility Roundel.
RSAF Assets
Type Origin Role Amount Program
Fixed Wing Combat Aircraft 119
Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon  United States Interceptor 8 Lease and Buy
Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon  United States Interceptor 8 Peace Carvin 2
Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon  United States Interceptor 10 Peace Carvin 3
Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcon  United States Strike 10 Peace Carvin 2
Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcon  United States Strike 4 Lease and Buy
Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52 Fighting Falcon  United States Strike 2 Peace Carvin 3
Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52+ Fighting Falcon  United States Strike 20 Peace Carvin 4
Northrop F-5S Tiger II  United States Interceptor 36 ?
Northrop F-5T Tiger II  United States Interceptor / Training 9 ?
Boeing F-15SG  United States Air Superiority / Strike 12 (o/o) ?
Helicopters 78
Boeing CH-47SD Chinook  United States Heavy Transport 18 Peace Prairie
Eurocopter AS332M Super Puma  European Union Medium Transport / SAR 22 ?
Eurocopter AS532UL Cougar  European Union Medium Transport 12 ?
Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow  United States Attack 20 Peace Vanguard
Sikorsky S-70B  United States ASW / ASuW 6 (o/o) ?
Transport Aircraft 14
Lockheed C-130  United States Heavy Transport 10 ?
Fokker 50 UTL  Netherlands Medium Transport / VIP 4 ?
Support Aircraft 17
Boeing KC-135R  United States Aerial Refuelling / Transport 4 ?
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye  United States AEW & C 4 ?
Fokker F50 ME2  Netherlands Maritime Patrol 5 ?
Gulfstream G550 CAEW  United States AEW & C 4 (o/o) ?
Trainer Aircraft 72
Marchetti S211  Italy Training / COIN 30 ?
Pilatus PC-21  Switzerland Training 19 (o/o) ?
Singapore Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk  United States Training / Attack 18 ?
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri  European Union Training 5 ?
UAV 40
IAI Searcher Mk 2  Israel Reconnaissance 40 ?
Hermes 450  Israel Reconnaissance Classified ?
Stored Aircraft 99
Singapore Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk  United States Attack 20 ?
Singapore Aerospace TA-4SU Super Skyhawk  United States Attack 20 ?
Bell UH-1H  United States Light Transport 19 ?
Eurocopter AS550A2 Fennec  European Union Training 10 ?
Eurocopter AS550C2 Fennec  European Union Scout 10 ?
Hunter FGA.74 / T.75  United Kingdom Interceptor / Attack 20 ?
Air Defense SAM/ADA
I-Hawk  United States SAM Classified ?
Mistral  France SAM Classified ?
Rapier Mk II  United Kingdom SAM Classified ?
SA-18 Igla MANPADS  Russia SAM Classified ?
SA-18 (2 twin launchers on M113A2 chassis)  Russia SAM Classified ?
RBS-70  Sweden SAM Classified ?
Oerlikon 35 mm  Switzerland AA Gun Classified ?

Airbases

File:RSAF Super Puma.jpg
An RSAF Super Puma takes off from the flight deck of the Endurance class LST RSS Resolution.
  • Paya Lebar Airbase
    • 122 Sqn 6 C-130H (Transport)
    • 122 Sqn 4 KC-130B (Transport & Aerial Refuelling)
    • 141 Sqn 6 F-5S (Interceptor), 1 F-5T (Training/Interceptor) -- Decommissioned since Nov 2005, aircraft redistributed to 144 and 149 Sqn.
    • 144 Sqn 15 F-5S (Interceptor), 7 F-5T (Training/Interceptor)
    • 149 Sqn 15 F-5S (Interceptor), 1 F-5T (Training/Interceptor)
  • Sembawang Airbase
    • 127 Sqn 12 CH-47SD (Heavy Lift)
    • 125 Sqn 19 AS 332M Super Puma (Transport & SAR)
    • 124 Sqn 4 EC 120 Corbi(Heli Training)
    • 120 Sqn 12 AH-64D Longbow Apache
  • Tengah Airbase
    • 111 Sqn 4 E-2C Hawkeye (AEW & Control)
    • 140 Sqn 7 F-16C, 5 F-16D Blk 52 (Interceptor)*
    • 143 Sqn 2 F-16C, 10 F-16D Blk 52 (Strike)*
  • Chongpang Camp ADA
    • 3rd DA RBS 70 SAM, IGLA SAM, Giraffe Radar
    • 6th DA RBS 70 SAM, IGLA SAM, Giraffe Radar
    • 9th DA RBS 70 SAM, IGLA SAM, Giraffe Radar
    • 18th DA Mistral SAM
    • 160 Sqn Oerlikon 35 mm AA Guns (airfield defence)
  • Other Air Defence Artillery
    • 201 Sqn FPS 117 Radar (fighter control, SAM control, surveillance, ASP)
    • 203 Sqn LORADS Radar (RASP, SAR, "listening watch" for distress signals)
  • Murai Camp
    • 128 Sqn 40 IAI Searcher (UAV)
    • 116 Sqn Hermes 450 (UAV)

* Excludes those that might have flown back from 428th FS

Overseas detachments (Training)

Republic of Singapore Air Force's 130 Squardron Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce
File:DF-SD-05-00479.JPEG
Four RSAF F-16 C/Ds taxi down the runway at Korat, Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) Thailand, during Exercise COPE TIGER 2003.
  • Cazaux Airbase (France)
    • 150 Sqn 18 A-4SU / TA-4SU (Advanced Jet Training)
  • Grand Prairie Municipal Airport (USA)
    • 149th AVN 6 CH-47SD (Peace Prairie CH-47 Training)
  • Oakey Airbase (Australia)12 AS 332M/AS 532UL Super Puma/Cougar (Training and support for army exercises)
  • Pearce Airbase (Australia)
    • 130 Sqn 30 S211 (Pilot selection and basic training)
  • Silverbell Army Heliport (USA)
    • E/1-285th AVN 8 AH-64D (Peace Vanguard AH-64D Training)

* Includes those that have flown from 428th FS

Personnel

Main article: Singapore Armed Forces ranks

Military ranks in the Singapore Armed Forces are identical across the three services except for the flag ranks of the RSN. They are based on the Army model. The official table of ranks stops at three stars for all three services [1]. NATO rank codes are not officially used, but are listed here for easy comparison with other armed forces.

Like the Navy, the majority of Air Force personnel are regulars. This is due to the specialized and technical nature of many jobs. The employment of National Servicemen in various roles are limited mostly to the infantry-like Field Defence Squadrons which do not require such specialized training.

Future plans

File:F-15T.jpg
F-15SG

In February 2003, Singapore joined the JSF program's System Design and Development (SDD) Phase, as a Security Co-operation Participant (SCP). The first deliveries of the F-35 are not expected before 2015, but a replacement for some of the A-4SU Super Skyhawks is needed by 2007. As a start, 20 F-16D Block 52+ have been delivered from 2003 under project Peace Carvin IV.

The RSAF embarked on the Next Generation Fighter (NGF) programme to replace the aging A-4SU Super Skyhawks. The original list of competitors was shortlisted to the final two - Dassault Rafale and the F-15SG Strike Eagle. The DSTA (Defense Science & Technology Agency) conducted detailed technical assessment, simulations and other tests to assess the final selection. On 6th September 2005, it was announced that the Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagle had won the contract over the Rafale. The initial order will be 12 aircraft with 8 options. Eventually, as many as 40 to 60 aircraft may be procured in several batches. Depending on the status of the F-35 program, more F-15SGs may be bought and the upper limit, as disclosed by the RSAF, is 80 F-15SG aircraft in total. These will likely be based at Tengah Airbase. As part of the weapons package for the first batch of aircraft, the U.S. will provide Singapore with:

The RSAF is expected to operate three types of aircraft in the foreseeable future; the F-35s as multirole fighters, the F-15SGs in the air superiority/strike role and the F-16C/Ds in the air defence/attack role. The RSAF also operates Air Defense assets in the form of SAMs and AAA. Some of these are permanently assigned to Divisional units.

In January 2005, it was announced that 6 Sikorsky S-70B (international derivative of SH-60B Seahawk) naval helicopters will be purchased, complete with anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons and sensors. These will be operated by RSAF pilots, with the Republic of Singapore Navy operating the sensors and weaponry. They will operate from the Navy's new Formidable class frigates, and when operating from land will be based at Sembawang Airbase. The AH-64D Longbow attack helicopters out of a total of 20 have been delivered, achieving pilot IOC. 12 of these Longbow Apaches were deployed back to Singapore and took part in integration exercises with the Army.

In April 2007, it was announced that the 4 E-2C Hawkeyes were to be replaced with 4 Gulfstream G550s which would become the main early warning aircraft of the Singapore Air Force

Current air to air missiles in the RSAF's inventory include:

Air to ground weapons include

  • GBU-10/12/16s and other laser-guided munitions
  • AGM-65B/D/G Maverick missiles
  • Mk 82/83/84 bombs
  • other classified/undeclared munitions for special missions

Museum

The air force has a museum, which is a large, blue, angular building that is clearly marked. It is located along Airport Road beside Paya Lebar Air Base, and near Eunos MRT Station.

Fictional television programs

See also

References

  1. ^ http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Sep/08-339829.html
  2. ^ http://www.helis.com/featured/katrina.php
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