Paya Lebar Air Base
Paya Lebar Air Base (IATA:QPG, ICAO:WSAP) is a military base of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) located on Airport Road in the eastern part of Singapore. Its motto is "Power through planning".
Formerly as Singapore International Airport it was established in 1954, taking over Kallang Airport and becoming Paya Lebar Air Base in 1980, with civil operations relocating to Changi Airport.
According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's master plan, Paya Lebar Air Base will be closed around 2030 to facilitate the development of the area to create a new town. The RSAF will be transferred to other air bases around the country, such as Changi Air Base and Tengah Air Base, which will be expanded in 2020.
History
Singapore International Airport
The airport was built between 1952 and 1955 and was opened on 20 August by Secretary of State for the Colonies Alan Lennox-Boyd. Architect J.J. Bryan is an expert with extensive experience in airport construction in Asia. It was one of the few hubs for the Malayan Airways. The airline first began flying from Southeast Asia in 1958, flying to Hong Kong using DC-4 aircraft leased from Qantas. Over the years the airline introduced turboprop aircraft and changed its name to Malaysia Airlines. From 1966 the airline shifted its focus to Singapore, purchasing Boeing 707s and changing its name to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines, with its distinctive yellow livery. Paya Lebar expands its services in North Asia, becoming the main hub. from the supersonic Concorde service. Between 1970 and 1975, the number of passengers increased from 1.7 million to 4 million. Paya Lebar was subsequently closed to public traffic and its operations were transferred to the new Changi Airport.
Conversion to RSAF
Singapore International Airport began to be gradually converted into a military air-force base from late 1967 onwards. During that year, an Air Movement Centre was constructed to handle passengers and cargo arriving on Republic of Singapore Air Force, and Ministry of Defence charter flights and foreign military aircraft. The original terminal building (painted green), maintenance hangar and control tower are retained. Access to terminal and hangars are off-limits closed off by a wired fence. It became a complete military airbase in 1981 when Singapore Changi Airport was opened and was subsequently renamed as Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in the same year.
Paya Lebar Air Base
The air base currently houses aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and two squadrons of F-15SG Strike Eagles. The flying squadrons are:
- 122 Squadron with 10 C-130 Hercules,
- 142 Squadron with 15 F-15SG Strike Eagles,
- 149 Squadron with >24 F-15SG Strike Eagles
The support squadrons are:
- Air Logistics Squadron (ALS)
- Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS)
- Field Defence Squadron (FDS)
- Flying Support Squadron (FSS)
- Former squadrons based here are:
- 141 Squadron with F-5S/T, RF-5S
- 144 Squadron with F-5S/T
Decommisoning
The airbase is expected to be decommissioned from 2030. Throughout the 2020s, expansion works are currently ongoing at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base to prepare for the eventual relocation of RSAF's assets after the closure of the airbase. With the closure of the airbase, height restrictions imposed at Singapore's central business district (CBD) which limits buildings to a maximum height of 280 meters unless special permissions are granted will be lifted, and the airbase's area will be redeveloped into a new town with residential housing projects, offices, factories, and parks. Parts of the old airbase (e.g. runway) will also be integrated to this new town to conserve its heritage, with parks and museums.
Air Force Mueseum
The RSAF maintains the Air Force Museum, which is open to the public and showcases the air force's history and capabilities. The museum is located at 400 Airport Road, Singapore 534234 beside the airbase. It went through an upgrade and update of the exhibits in 2015.