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The RSAF@50 Aerial Display at Marina Barrage, Singapore
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Text:

Chakrit Samithinan

Pictures:

Chakrit Samithinan
   

Just three years after proclaiming Singapore’s independence in 1965, the Republic of Singapore Air Force was established, and this year, they were able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its establishment. Their celebration included, among other activities, a fly-past of their aircraft inventory as well as aerial displays by two A-64 Apache helicopters and a specially painted F-15SG accompanied by two F-16 D Block 52+. The writer attended the show on 11th August when performances were held at 10.45 am and at 2.45 pm.

   
Heron UAV (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  DA-40 Diamond Star (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  DA-40 Diamond Star (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  Helicopter Formation(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  
   
Helicopter Formation (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  C-130 Hercules & Fokker 50 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  Fokker 50 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  Mixed Group (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 

The fly-past included the following aircrafts in the sequence of appearance:

-  1 x Heron 1 UAV

Training Group:

-  4 x Diamond Star DA 40

 

Helicopter Group:

-  1 x CH-47 Chinook

-  2 x AH-64 Apache

-  2 x AS 332 Super Puma

-  1 x SH-60 Sikorsky Seahawk

 

Transport Group:

-  1 x C-130 Hercules

-  2 x Fokker 50

 

Mixed Group:

-  1 x KC-135 Stratotanker

-  2 x F-16D Block 52+ Fighting Falcons

-  1 x G 550 Gulfstream

 

Fighter Group:

-  6 x F-15SG Strike Eagles

This was followed by the aerial display of two Apache helicopters and the highlight of the show represented by a display of a specially painted F-15SG and two F-16D.

The entire display, which took place at Marina Barrage and over the sea in front of that location lasted about 50 minutes and was attended by thousands of enthusiastic Singaporeans. Fortunately, the weather was quite stable with sunshine throughout the shows on 11th August. Standing in the blazing sun was almost unbearable since Singapore is nearly on the aequator, and for this reason, it was a blessing that the display lasted less than 1 hour.

Mixed Group (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
F-15SG Formation  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
F-15SG Formation  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
AH-64 over Marina Bay Sands (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
   
AH-64 display  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  AH-64 display  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  AH-64 display  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)  AH-64 display  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 

Display of a F-15SG and two F-16D
 
   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
 
 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
 
 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
 
 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 
 
 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)   (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) 

Concluding, it must be said that compared with the neighboring countries in South East Asia, the RSAF is equipped with the most modern flying equipment and is self-sufficient with transport aircrafts and tankers included in their arsenal of aircrafts. The only thing the RSAF does not have is ample land on which to practice, but an agreement with Thailand allows the RSAF to do the necessary practice flights and ground attack training. Some Jet exercises are also conducted in New Zealand. The training of its pilots is done in three countries, i.e. in Singapore with Diamond D 40 aircrafts, in Australia with Pilatus PC-21 aircrafts and in France with Aermacchi M-346 Master aircrafts.

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last update 18. August 2018

Written 18. August 2018

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