Tengah's motto, Always Vigilant, supports its main motif, a chess board Black Knight piece symbolic of the aircraft's operational readiness in Tengah.
The sword represents war's heraldic sword of destruction, while the state is depicted by the castle.
Constructed in 1932 by the British to give air cover to the naval base in Sembawang and commissioned RAF Tengah in 1939, the Air Base was constantly improved upon to prepare it for the increasingly sophisticated aircraft that was coming in.
It was renamed Tengah Air Base in 1971 when it was handed over to the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC). And from 1971 to 1976, under the Five Power Defence Arrangement, Tengah became home to the British, Australian and New Zealand forces.
Currently, Tengah houses the RSAF's F16 Fighting Falcons, E2C Hawkeyes and A4SU Super Skyhawks. The flying squadrons are:
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111 Squadron
The 111 Squadron was formed when the RSAF acquired four Grumman E2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft in 1987. Its primary function is to perform airborne surveillance and early warning. Other functions include Aircraft Intercept Control, Surface Surveillance, Search and Rescue and Air Traffic Control.
The unit is represented by the Jaeger, a vigilant and courageous hawk-like bird whose vigilance is aptly reflected in their motto Vigilance In Control.
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140 Squadron
Set up in 1970, the squadron's motto, Stand Firm In Defence, reflects the bird of prey they were named after. The Osprey symbolises strength, reliability, enviable powers of flight and control of the elements.
The F16s in 140 Squadron are primarily responsible for Air Defence, Fighter Sweep and Escort and Counter Air Operations/Strategic Interdiction/Maritime Air Operations.
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143 Squadron
Set up in early 1975 at Changi Air Base, 143 Squadron flew the Skyhawk. It relocated to Tengah Air Base later that year and was the first to operate the modified Super Skyhawk in the late 1980's. The Squadron now flies the single-seat C and double-seat D models of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The Squadron was named after the Phoenix, a mystical bird, that after living for five to six centuries in the Arabian dessert, burnt itself on a funeral pyre and was able to rise from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle.
Its motto We Dare is deemed to be most appropriate as it identifies the personnel of the Squadron with daring courage and resilence of the Phoenix.
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The flying squadrons are supported by:
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Air Logistics Squadron (ALS)
The Air Logistics Squadron services, maintains and repairs on-ground systems required for air operations.
Tengah's ALS motif consists of a woodpecker pecking the worms out of a tree. Like the woodpecker, the ALS detects the 'worms' and ferrets them out. The squadron's motto is Strive to Resolve.
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Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS)
Tengah's AMS is the RSAF's first and is represented by the roman character 'I' at the bottom of the runway design. It aims to be a mission-ready unit that provides quality maintenance and damage repair service, hence its motto Strive to Maintain.
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Field Defence Squadron (FDS)
The Field Defence Squadron ensures the security of the air base through regular perimeter patrols and controlling personnel movement within the base. Through regular training, the Field Defence Squadron is well-prepared for its air base ground defence role during operations.
Tengah's FDS motif is a bayonet and red shield with a pair of blue wings. The shield signifies its primary role - defence and security of the base, whilst the bayonet expresses its ground defence role, both reflected in the unit's motto, Alert and Steadfast.
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Flying Support Squadron (FSS)
The Flying Support Squadron ensures the smooth flow of aircraft traffic in and out of the base by controlling the base's airspace and aircraft. The FSS is responsible for the safety and success of all air missions.
Tengah's FSS motif - an eagle perched above a pyramid - symbolises the FSS' role in supporting RSAF flying operations out of Tengah. The unit's motto is Excellence and Beyond.
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Last updated on 02 Nov 2007
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