Difference between revisions of "Sembawang Air Base"

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==RAF Sembawang==
==RAF Sembawang==
Prior to Singapore's independence from the [[United Kingdom]], it was a [[Royal Air Force station]] known as '''RAF Sembawang''' as well as being the Royal Naval Air Station - [[List of_air stations of the Royal Navy#Former Naval Air Stations by ship name (HMS xxx)|HMS Simbang]] - to the carrier pilots of the [[Fleet Air Arm|Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm]] (attached to the [[Eastern Fleet]] based in Singapore) who used it for rest and refit whenever an aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy berthed at the nearby [[Singapore Naval Base|HMNB Singapore]] for refuel and repairs, which also housed the largest [[Royal Navy]] dockyard east of Suez up to the time of UK forces withdrawal from Singapore.
Prior to Singapore's independence from the United Kingdom, it was a Royal Air Force station known as '''RAF Sembawang''' as well as being the Royal Naval Air Station - HMS Simbang - to the carrier pilots of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (attached to the Eastern Fleet based in Singapore) who used it for rest and refit whenever an aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy berthed at the nearby HMNB Singapore for refuel and repairs, which also housed the largest Royal Navy dockyard east of Suez up to the time of UK forces withdrawal from Singapore.<br>


After the Japanese capture of Singapore during [[World War II]], the [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service]] took over the two RAF stations of Sembawang and [[Seletar Airport|Seletar]]. Singapore was split into north-south spheres of control, and the [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]] took over [[RAF Tengah]]. It was not until September 1945 that the two airfields reverted back to British control following the [[Surrender of Japan|Japanese surrender]].
After the Japanese capture of Singapore during World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service took over the two RAF stations of Sembawang and Seletar. Singapore was split into north-south spheres of control, and the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force took over RAF Tengah. It was not until September 1945 that the two airfields reverted back to British control following the Japanese surrender.<br>


RAF Sembawang was a key part of Britain's continued military presence in the [[Far East]] (along with the three other RAF bases in Singapore: [[Changi Air Base|RAF Changi]], [[Seletar Airport|RAF Seletar]], [[Tengah Air Base|RAF Tengah]]) during the critical period of the [[Malayan Emergency]] (1948-1960), the [[Brunei Revolt]] in 1962 and the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]] (1962-1966).
RAF Sembawang was a key part of Britain's continued military presence in the Far East (along with the three other RAF bases in Singapore: RAF Changi, RAF Seletar, RAF Tengah) during the critical period of the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), the Brunei Revolt in 1962 and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation (1962-1966).<br>


==Sembawang Air Base==
==Sembawang Air Base==
The base was renamed '''Sembawang Air Base (SBAB)''' in 1971 when it was handed over to the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC). From 1971 to 1976, under the auspices of the [[Five Power Defence Arrangements]] (FPDA), Sembawang housed British, Australian and New Zealand forces.
The base was renamed '''Sembawang Air Base (SBAB)''' in 1971 when it was handed over to the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC). From 1971 to 1976, under the auspices of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), Sembawang housed British, Australian and New Zealand forces.<br>


In 1983, the airbase became a full fledged [[Rotorcraft|rotary-wing]] air base when the first resident helicopter squadron - [[120 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|120 Squadron]] - was permanently relocated from [[Changi Air Base]].
In 1983, the airbase became a full fledged rotary-wing air base when the first resident helicopter squadron - 120 Squadron - was permanently relocated from Changi Air Base.<br>


Currently, about 100 helicopters are based in Sembawang Air Base, almost all operating in support of the [[Singapore Army]] and the [[Republic of Singapore Navy]]. It is the home base to all the RSAF helicopter squadrons, consisting of AS-332 Super Pumas, CH-47SD Chinooks, [[Sikorsky S-70|Sikorsky S-70B]] (derivative of [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk]]) naval helicopters, [http://www.defencetalk.com/singapore-begins-operating-new-s-70-helicopters-24948/] as well as the Fennecs and UH-1Hs, which are currently stored in reserve. Recently added to the base are the AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters.
Currently, about 100 helicopters are based in Sembawang Air Base, almost all operating in support of the Singapore Army and the Republic of Singapore Navy. It is the home base to all the RSAF helicopter squadrons, consisting of AS-332 Super Pumas, CH-47SD Chinooks, Sikorsky S-70B (derivative of Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk) naval helicopters, as well as the Fennecs and UH-1Hs, which are currently stored in reserve. Recently added to the base are the AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters.<br>


The Flying squadrons are:
The Flying squadrons are:
*[[120 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|120 Squadron]] with 20 [[Boeing AH-64 Apache#AH-64D|AH-64D Longbow Apache]]s;
*120 Squadron with 20 AH-64D Longbow Apaches;  
*[[123 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|123 Squadron]] with 6 [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk#Export versions|S-70B Seahawk]]s, these are owned and operated by the Republic of Singapore navy but flown by RSAF pilots;
*123 Squadron with 6 S-70B Seahawks, these are owned and operated by the Republic of Singapore navy but flown by RSAF pilots;  
*[[124 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|124 Squadron]] with 5 [[Eurocopter EC120 Colibri|EC120 Colibri]];
*124 Squadron with 5 EC120 Colibri;  
*[[125 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|125 Squadron]] with 22 [[Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma|AS332M Super Puma]], four of these are configured for [[Search and rescue]] duties;
*125 Squadron with 22 AS332M Super Puma, four of these are configured for Search and rescue duties;  
*[[126 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|126 Squadron]] with 12 [[Eurocopter AS532 Cougar|AS532UL/AL Cougar]] but is currently based at [[Oakey Army Aviation Centre|Oakey Airbase]] in support of SAF's training need in Australia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1999/aug/20aug99_nr.html |title=Opening Ceremony of the RSAF Helicopter Detachment in Oakey, Australia |publisher=MINDEF }}</ref>;
*126 Squadron with 12 AS532UL/AL Cougar but is currently based at Oakey Airbase in support of SAF's training need in Australia[1];  
*[[127 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|127 Squadron]] with 12 [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook#CH-47D|CH-47SD Chinook]]s.
*127 Squadron with 12 CH-47SD Chinooks.  


The Support Squadrons are:
The Support Squadrons are:
Line 29: Line 29:
*Flying Support Squadron (FSS)
*Flying Support Squadron (FSS)


Currently, the RSAF's [[Chong Pang Camp]] '''SADA (Singapore Air Defence Artillery)''', with its associated Air Defence assets, is also located within the compound of the air base as well as the famous local [[Sembawang Hot Spring]].
Currently, the RSAF's Chong Pang Camp '''SADA (Singapore Air Defence Artillery)''', with its associated Air Defence assets, is also located within the compound of the air base as well as the famous local Sembawang Hot Spring.<br>
 
==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
File:RAF Sembawang entrance 1941.jpeg|Entrance of RAF Sembawang, circa 1941
File:BrewsterBuffalosMkIRAAFSingaporeOctober1941.jpg|[[Brewster Buffalo]] Mark Is being inspected by [[RAF]] personnel on 12 October 1941 at '''RAF Sembawang'''
File:RSAF SBAB helicopters & staffs.jpg|The staff and personnel from Sembawang Air Base '''Air Logistic Squadron''' posing in front of the helicopters currently in RSAF service. © MINDEF
File:RSAF AH-64D Longbow Apache.jpg|[[120 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|120 Squadron]] [[AH-64_Apache#AH-64D|AH-64D Longbow Apache]] on static display during RSAF Open house
File:040607-N-2190B-015.jpg|[[125 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|125 Squadron]] Super Puma takes off from the flight deck of the RSS Resolution - an ''Endurance'' class LST. Visible in the foreground is the [[Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse]] (ASIST) system
File:010713zsingapore-h.jpg|[[127 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force|127 Squadron]] [[CH-47 Chinook#CH-47D|CH-47SD]] lands aboard [[USS Rushmore (LSD-47)|USS Rushmore]] during [[Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training|Exercise CARAT 2001]]
</gallery>
 
==See also==
*[[Republic of Singapore Air Force]]
*[[Singapore strategy]]
*[[British Far East Command]]
*[[Far East Air Force (Royal Air Force)]]
*[[Far East Strategic Reserve]]
*[[Battle of Singapore]]
*[[Malayan Emergency]]
*[[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]]


==External links==
==External links==
Line 57: Line 37:


[[Category:Military of Singapore under British rule]]
[[Category:Military of Singapore under British rule]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Singapore]]
[[Category:Sembawang]]
[[Category:Republic of Singapore Air Force bases]]
[[Category:Places in Singapore]]
[[Category:Places in Singapore]]
[[Category:Aviation]]

Latest revision as of 20:17, 22 May 2024

Sembawang Air Base (airport code: WSAG) is a military airbase at Sembawang, in the northern part of Singapore. The base motto is "Dare and Will".

RAF Sembawang[edit]

Prior to Singapore's independence from the United Kingdom, it was a Royal Air Force station known as RAF Sembawang as well as being the Royal Naval Air Station - HMS Simbang - to the carrier pilots of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (attached to the Eastern Fleet based in Singapore) who used it for rest and refit whenever an aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy berthed at the nearby HMNB Singapore for refuel and repairs, which also housed the largest Royal Navy dockyard east of Suez up to the time of UK forces withdrawal from Singapore.

After the Japanese capture of Singapore during World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service took over the two RAF stations of Sembawang and Seletar. Singapore was split into north-south spheres of control, and the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force took over RAF Tengah. It was not until September 1945 that the two airfields reverted back to British control following the Japanese surrender.

RAF Sembawang was a key part of Britain's continued military presence in the Far East (along with the three other RAF bases in Singapore: RAF Changi, RAF Seletar, RAF Tengah) during the critical period of the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), the Brunei Revolt in 1962 and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation (1962-1966).

Sembawang Air Base[edit]

The base was renamed Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) in 1971 when it was handed over to the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC). From 1971 to 1976, under the auspices of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), Sembawang housed British, Australian and New Zealand forces.

In 1983, the airbase became a full fledged rotary-wing air base when the first resident helicopter squadron - 120 Squadron - was permanently relocated from Changi Air Base.

Currently, about 100 helicopters are based in Sembawang Air Base, almost all operating in support of the Singapore Army and the Republic of Singapore Navy. It is the home base to all the RSAF helicopter squadrons, consisting of AS-332 Super Pumas, CH-47SD Chinooks, Sikorsky S-70B (derivative of Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk) naval helicopters, as well as the Fennecs and UH-1Hs, which are currently stored in reserve. Recently added to the base are the AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters.

The Flying squadrons are:

  • 120 Squadron with 20 AH-64D Longbow Apaches;
  • 123 Squadron with 6 S-70B Seahawks, these are owned and operated by the Republic of Singapore navy but flown by RSAF pilots;
  • 124 Squadron with 5 EC120 Colibri;
  • 125 Squadron with 22 AS332M Super Puma, four of these are configured for Search and rescue duties;
  • 126 Squadron with 12 AS532UL/AL Cougar but is currently based at Oakey Airbase in support of SAF's training need in Australia[1];
  • 127 Squadron with 12 CH-47SD Chinooks.

The Support Squadrons are:

  • Air Logistics Squadron (ALS)
  • Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS)
  • Field Defence Squadron (FDS)
  • Flying Support Squadron (FSS)

Currently, the RSAF's Chong Pang Camp SADA (Singapore Air Defence Artillery), with its associated Air Defence assets, is also located within the compound of the air base as well as the famous local Sembawang Hot Spring.

External links[edit]