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Tag: RSAF

First Helicopter Squadron Formed

Tuesday, 30th September 1969

SADC (RSAF) 120 Squadron was formed. It is based in Seletar Air Base.

The Flying Training School Inaugurated

Friday, 1st August 1969

Minister for the Interior and Defence, Lim Kim San, inaugurated the Flying Training School (FTS) at Tengah Air Base (then known as RAF Tengah). The inauguration of FTS brought SADC (RSAF) closer to its goal of fulfilling the heavy responsibility of defending Singapore's airspace. The school uses BAC Strikemasters (No. 130 Squadron) for advance phase flying training, meant that jet fighter pilot trainees are able to earn their wings in Singapore instead of overseas. The basic phase flying using Cessna, propeller driven aircraft, is at conducted at Seletar.

The Eight New Aircraft Arrived At Seletar

Thursday, 1st May 1969

The eight new aircraft arrived at Seletar in huge wooden crate stencilled with the name of the aircraft maker and the words, "Airplane inside - Use no hooks". And locally trained SADC technicians had to assemble the aircraft. Such was the awe and excitement inspired by the arrival of the new fleet of Cessna 172K (also known as T-41 Mescalero, Military harden version). The SADC (later the RSAF) was established at Seletar Airbase in September 1968, with the setting up of the Flying Training School (FTS) utilising three Cessna 172G/H on loan from the Singapore Flying Club. These eight new Cessna 172K takes over the duty for more selected trainees to participate in the basic flight-training course.

SAF School of Technical Training Opened

Wednesday, 16th April 1969

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) School of Technical Training at Royal Air Force (RAF) Seletar was officially declared open. The school was setup with the help of Airwork Services Limited, a British company specialising in defence service, and the RAF. The school offers training in 11 aircrafts like the Ex-RAF Gloster Meteor PR.10 fighter.

SADC (RSAF) Was Formed

Sunday, 1st September 1968

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) predecessor , the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC), was formed. The SADC’s immediate task was to set up the Flying Training School to train pilots. the first batch of six pilot trainees were sent to the United Kingdom to undergo training in various technical disciplines. The training was based on the Hawker Hunter, the SADC’s first air defence fighter. The rotary wing, were sent to France to begin their technical training on the Aerospatiale Alouette III helicopter.

Trainee Pilots Landed In Seletar Air Base

Wednesday, 17th July 1968

2 Cessna 172H aircraft piloted by Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) pilot trainees landed at Royal Air Force Seletar (RAF Seletar). This marked the transfer of the fortnight-old Singapore Armed Forces Flying Training School to Seletar from its temporary premises at Maju Camp and the birth of military flight training in Singapore. SADC's formed the first flying unit called Falcon Squadron.

SAF Flying Training School Formed

Friday, 28th June 1968

The SAF Flying Training School was setup at Maju Camp while waiting for the British Forces to release RAF Seletar. 33 out of the 500 applicants that responded to the first recruitment drive were selected. These 33 cadets Basic Military Training at Maju Camp. Then to SAFTI for officer training. Together with 4 commissioned officer to formed the first batch of FTS pilot trainees. At FTS, they underwent air grading and further selection for Basic Flying Course at RAF Leeming UK, advanced training at RAF Valley and type-traing on Hawker Hunter at RAF Chivenor.

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