Background

The Singapore Ministry of Defence and the United States Department of Defense have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the establishment of a Republic of Air Force (RSAF) Fighter Training Detachment at Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB), Guam, to lay out a framework governing the terms of RSAF's detachment there. This agreement was reached following the conclusion of in-depth studies with the US on a number of factors, including suitability of the training area, infrastructure and other types of support. It covers the deployment of the RSAF's F-15SG and F-16 fighter aircraft and other supporting assets such as the Gulfstream 550 – Airborne Early Warning (G550-AEW) to AAFB for training. The vast training airspace in Guam will allow the RSAF to conduct realistic training, to hone their capabilities and readiness.

The SAF's Training History in Guam

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has conducted training with the US in Guam since the early 1990s, such as the Singapore Army's bilateral exercises with the US Marine Corps and the Republic of Singapore Navy's participation in bilateral and multi-lateral exercises in the waters off Guam. The RSAF has also deployed fighter aircraft to AAFB to conduct fighter training with the United States Pacific Air Force (US PACAF).

RSAF Training Detachments

Due to the airspace constraints in Singapore, the RSAF has to conduct overseas training to meet its training requirements. Apart from Guam, the RSAF has overseas training detachments in Continental US (F-16C/Ds detachment in Luke Air Force Base, Arizona; F-15SG detachment in Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; and AH-64 Apache helicopter detachment in Marana, Arizona), Australia (Helicopter detachment in Oakey; and Flying Training Institute Detachment in Pearce), and France (Fighter detachment in Cazaux Air Base). These detachments offer vast training airspace to meet the RSAF's training needs, enabling our airmen to hone their professional skills and enhance their operational readiness. The RSAF also conducts training in and with countries such as Australia, India and Thailand. Such overseas training serves to strengthen Singapore's bilateral and defence ties with other nations, and allows the RSAF to train with and learn from some of the best air forces around the world.