01: RSAF’s Airbus A330 MRTT static display greets visitors at the entrance of Paya Lebar Airbase.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF’s) 55th anniversary celebrations culminated in the Open House which took place in Paya Lebar Air Base over the weekend from 9 to 10 September 2023, 08.30am to 6pm. At least 100,000 visitors turned up for the free open house, a rare opportunity given the last one took place 7 years ago in 2016.
RSAF’s 55th anniversary celebrations is centred on the theme “Defending Our Skies, Securing Our Future”. This included 2 F-15SG fighter jets that were painted with a commemorative tail flash, present in the static display as the highlight for the open house.
The downpour on Saturday morning did not dampen spirits, and visitors showed unwavering support for the air and ground crew for the opening ceremony and subsequent aerial capability display. Senior Minister of State of Defence Mr Heng Chee How graced the opening ceremony. He spoke on the significance of the RSAF55 Open House, an occasion to “showcase some of its (RSAF’s) capabilities” and “instil confidence”. He also showed appreciation to “the contributions and sacrifices of all the men and women of the RSAF over so many years” for a “free and sovereign Singapore and an air space that is well-defended 24/7”. Lastly, he emphasised that RSAF “is not a fair-weather air force, but an all-weather air force” and thanked everyone for the support.
The static display for RSAF55OH featured a total of 19 different assets (18 from RSAF): 3x F-15SG, F-16C, F-16D, AH-64D, CH-47F, H225M, S-70B, A330 MRTT, C-130, Fokker-50, G550-AEW, Heron 1, Hermes 450, Aster 30, SPYDER, SHIKRA, RBS-70, MATC and DA-40 (Singapore Youth Flying Club).
The capability display was performed twice daily, and comprised of 2 chapters.
The first chapter “Defending Our Skies”, featured a simulated scramble of 2 F-15SG fighter jets for a potential air threat. The is followed by the deployment of the Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby (SPYDER) ground based air defence system. The air threat was identified to be a “suspected bomb threat” onboard an airliner, simulated by the Airbus A330 MRTT. The F-15SGs then proceeded to intercept the MRTT before escorting it for a safe landing in Paya Lebar Airbase, concluding the first chapter.
The second chapter, titled “Joint Operations”, transformed the showground into a simulated enemy hostile environment, where F-15SGs, Heron 1, H225M and Guardsmen integrate to destroy simulated enemies in a land battle. The Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) provided reconnaissance and lased the target for the F-15SGs to conduct their bombing runs. The H225M helicopter then inserted the Guardsmen who performed a series of tactical maneuvers to overrun the enemy positions, successfully ending the display.
Other activities occurring throughout the open house included Military Working Dogs Demonstration, Aircraft Weapons Loading Demonstration (F-16C and F-15SG), performances by the Music and Drama Company and the SAF Central Band. Familiarisation flights were conducted for successful ballots, and for the first time included the A330 MRTT platform. The exhibition was split into 3 halls: “RSAF Story”, “Our People, Our Air Force” and “Future Air Base”. Inside, visitors were able to use their NFC RSAF Force tags to tap and participate in quizzes and challenges to redeem attractive prizes, for the full “Phygital” experience.
Relive the best moments and enjoy our compilation of 55 photos for the RSAF55 Open House!
02: 2 RSAF F-15SG fighter jets taxi into the showgrounds to prepare for the aerial capability display.03: A RSAF Pilot poses for the camera as departing aircraft kicks up spray in the background.04: Senior Minister of State of Defence Mr Heng Chee How graces the opening ceremony.05: The aircrew kits up for a simulated scramble, showcasing the all-weather response of RSAF.06: Spectators brave the heavy downpour to get a glimpse of the aerial capability display.07: Thumbs-up from the aircrew as they complete their pre-flight checks.08: 2 F-15SGs demonstrate a tandem takeoff during a display in good weather.09: The F-15SG goes into the vertical with full afterburners.10: A rapid deployment of the SPYDER by servicemen from 165 Squadron. 11: F-15SG performs a low fly-by as it escorts the MRTT for a landing.12: Pulling away and creating colorful clouds of vapour after demonstrating a bomb run. 13: A photo moment for RSAF’s newly acquired H225M helicopter. 14: Guardsmen taking up positions to eliminate the enemies.15: Utilizing the M203 Grenade Launcher mounted on the SAR21 to deal the final blow.16: Saluting the crowd after successful completion of the display.17: The F-15SG aerobrakes on the runway.18: 142 Squadron was in charge of the overall planning and execution of the Aerial Capability Display. 19: Familiarisation flights continue in full swing after the morning display session.20: A pair of CH-47SD helicopters takes the unconventional northern approach whilst returning from a familiarisation flight.21: An A330 MRTT kicks up spray from the runway, while showing a smooth landing in challenging wind conditions 22: An Airbus A330 MRTT overflies the iconic Paya Lebar Airbase control tower.23: An overview of the busy tarmac for familiarisation flights; Singapore Youth Flying Club’s (SYFC) DA-40 light training aircraft is seen in the foreground.24: RSAF’s celebrity mascot “CPT Ted” making an appearance in the showgrounds.25: SAF Central Band’s director of music ME5 Ignatius Wang, leads a rendition of the theme song from the film “How to Train Your Dragon”.26: “Scooby”, a military work dog from 608 Squadron, returns enthusiastically to its handler after positively identifying the dangerous luggage.27: Demonstrating the loading of a GBU-12 Laser Guided Bomb onto the F-15SG.28: Air Force Engineers completes the F-16C Weapons Loading Demonstration.29: “RSAF Force Tags” were distributed to visitors as both souvenirs and NFC tokens to participate in games; a total of 10 designs were available.30: A visitor tries out one of the many challenges available in the exhibition halls.31: The MRTT Air Refuelling Console Trainer showcases the advanced vision system that provides full situational awareness without the need of a physical window.32: The Helicopter Virtual Reality (VR) Trainer, for both Pilots and Aircrew Specialists.33: RSAF’s latest UAV, Orbital 4, provides a small and flexible platform for Air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR) in urban and confined spaces.34: The F-35 simulator on Lockheed Martin’s Prepar3D software, giving visitors a taste of RSAF’s upcoming 5th generation stealth fighter.35: Recruitment centre on site gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about different roles and their responsibilities, and to express their interest in joining the RSAF. 36: The commemorative tail flash on the F-15SG features the RSAF55 logo on the outer side and the tagline on the inner side of the vertical stabilizer.37: RSAF F-16C Fighting Falcon.38: RSAF’s upgraded F-16D, now with the ability to be armed with Python-5 missiles. 39: RSAF AH-64D Apache Longbow.40: A new addition to RSAF’s fleet, the CH-47F Chinook helicopter.41: Also a new RSAF asset, the Airbus H225M helicopter.42: RSAF S-70B Seahawk helicopter, armed with the A244-S torpedo. 43: 1 of 2 ICU units onboard the Airbus A330 MRTT, the cabin which was opened to the public for the first time.44: Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engine of RSAF’s A330 MRTT.45: RSAF C-130 Hercules.46: RSAF Fokker 50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), armed with the Harpoon Anti-Ship missile.47: RSAF G550 Airborne Early Warning (AEW).48: SYFC cadet wiping down the Garmin G1000 multi-functional display of the Diamond DA-40 aircraft.49: RSAF Hermes 450 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).50: RSAF Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).51: RSAF Ground Base Air Defence (GBAD) assets, from left to right: SHIKRA radar, Aster 30 missile system, SPYDER missile system.52: RBS-70 Man-Portable Air-Defence (MANPAD) System.53: Retired RSAF AS-332 Super Puma helicopter used for training purposes, housed in the Air Force Training Command (AFTC). 54: Retired IAI Searcher UAV and F-5S Tiger II are also housed in AFTC.55: Visitors stream out of the air base as the sun sets for a successful conclusion of the RSAF55 Open House.
