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RSAF’s 50th jubilee to kickstart at Singapore Airshow

SINGAPORE — The Singapore Airshow at the Changi Exhibition Centre is set to wow visitors next weekend with more thrilling aerial displays, as the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) launches its 50th anniversary (RSAF50) celebrations there.

The F-15SG and two F-16Cs in action during the preview of the Singapore Airshow 2018 (SA18) on Feb 2. Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY

The F-15SG and two F-16Cs in action during the preview of the Singapore Airshow 2018 (SA18) on Feb 2. Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — The Singapore Airshow at the Changi Exhibition Centre is set to wow visitors next weekend with more thrilling aerial displays, as the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) launches its 50th anniversary (RSAF50) celebrations there.

The show will see one F-15SG and two F-16C fighter aircraft doing an integrated display — the first time that this is done. Out of 15 manoeuvres in a 15-minute segment, six will be performed together and seen by the public for the first time.

A highlight, for example, is the three-craft dedication pass where the F-15SG flies across the event centre from left to right, while the two F-16s spiral around it. Another highlight is the golden salute in the last segment, where all three fighter jets pull up in an arrowhead formation and break away in an evenly spaced fan-burst, releasing gold flares.

To showcase the aerial manoeuvres, RSAF pilots had to undergo three months of training with a total of 30 flights in the air to perfect the performance.

Major Chang Haw Ning, 38, the team leader for the aerial display, said at a media briefing on Friday (Feb 2): “We wanted to showcase both the platforms that the airforce has. It gives a contrast, especially to our pioneers, to how far we’ve come from the Hunter F-5 days.”

The process of deciding on the aerial formations took some time, Major Chang said. The team had to first conceptualise the idea, brainstorm, plan the entry and exit timings of each manoeuvre, and validate and test out the idea.

The three-jet display was thought of because it is more impressive, but it also meant harder training, he said.

“We don’t go out the first day and say, ‘Let’s do a full show and do 15 manoeuvres’. We start by doing one, then we add the second… and manage to stitch everything together,” he added.

Among the line-up of activities announced for the anniversary celebrations is the unveiling of a specially painted F-15SG to commemorate the airforce’s 50 years. This will be done at the RSAF50 launch ceremony next Wednesday (Feb 7), where President Halimah Yacob will be the guest-of-honour.

Other activities at the Singapore Airshow include an RSAF50 exhibition and the static display of aircraft and weapons systems such as the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, AS332 Super Puma, as well as the CH-47 Chinook and S-70B Seahawk helicopters.

The exhibition will trace the airforce’s history and achievements over the past five decades, and its transformation into a third-generation airforce.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to engage the RSAF servicemen and women at the event.

Brigadier General Gan Siow Huang, chairperson of the jubilee celebrations at the Singapore Airshow, said: “We will showcase capabilities of the airforce that are modern, full-spectrum and professional. These are operated by our airmen and women that are well-trained and dedicated to defending Singapore. We are also very excited this year to commemorate 50 years of peaceful skies in Singapore with our fellow Singaporeans, as we continue to defend Singapore our home above all.”

The Singapore Airshow is open to the public on Feb 10 and 11. The timings for the aerial display are at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

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