New Chief of Air Force Takes Command

Outgoing Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Kelvin Khong (left) handing over the command symbol to incoming Chief of Air Force Brigadier-General (BG) Kelvin Fan (right) at the Change of Command Parade held at Tengah Air Base today.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) welcomed Brigadier-General (BG) Kelvin Fan Sui Siong as the new Chief of Air Force (CAF) at a Change of Command Parade held at Tengah Air Base this evening.

As part of the parade, BG Fan took over the Air Force command symbol from outgoing CAF Major-General (MG) Kelvin Khong Boon Leong. MG Khong reviewed the Guard-of-Honour and marching contingents formed by the airmen and women from the various RSAF Commands. The parade also featured a static display of the RSAF aircraft and ground systems that safeguard Singapore's skies.

The new Chief of Air Force, BG Fan, joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1998. He has held a range of senior command and staff appointments within the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF. These include Commanding Officer of 163 Squadron, Head Air Plans, Director of the Defence Policy Office, Head Air Operations, Commander Air Defence and Operations Command, Chief of Staff – Air Staff, Chief of Staff – Joint Staff and Deputy Secretary (Policy). Over the course of his career, BG Fan drove many operations, capability developments, digitalisation and innovation efforts within the RSAF, and contributed to expanding our defence diplomacy efforts with various countries. In 2024, BG Fan spearheaded the Total Defence 40 campaign and Singapore's inaugural Total Defence exercise, Exercise SG Ready, to enhance Singaporeans' readiness for crises and disruptions.

The outgoing CAF, MG Khong, has led the RSAF since March 2019, and served the SAF with distinction. Under his stewardship, the RSAF continued to safeguard Singapore's skies. MG Khong oversaw the attainment of full operational capability for the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, the Aster 30 Ground Based Air Defence system, and the acquisition of the F-35 fighter aircraft to enhance the RSAF's operational edge. MG Khong also led the RSAF through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that the RSAF maintained a high level of operational readiness whilst supporting the national fight against COVID-19. Under his leadership, the RSAF successfully conducted several Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions, such as the ongoing delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the airlift operations of Afghanistan evacuees, as well as the bushfire and flood relief operations in Australia. MG Khong also initiated the RSAF's people development efforts to equip our airmen and women to be future-ready.

This change of command is part of the SAF's leadership renewal process. The Change of Command Parade was witnessed by Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, and attended by senior MINDEF and SAF officers, as well as airmen and women from the RSAF.

MINDEF/SAF expresses its deep appreciation to MG Khong for his sterling leadership and distinguished service, and welcomes BG Fan as the new Chief of Air Force.

MG Kelvin Khong inspecting the Guard of Honour contingents.

BG Kelvin Fan taking his oath as the new Chief of Air Force in the presence of Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, at the Change of Command Parade earlier today.