First Helicopter Squadron Formed
Tuesday, 30th September 1969
SADC (RSAF) 120 Squadron was formed. It is based in Seletar Air Base.
The government decided to purchase the eight French-made Alouette III helicopter in 1968. Following that decision, 4 trainee pilots - OCT Peter Teo, OCT William Ang, OCT Ashley Phillips, OCT Leo Tin Boon - were send for training in France. They returned home in July 1969 with the Rotary Wings.
Photo Credit: Flickr.
The Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. The first version of the Alouette III, the SE 3160 prototype, first flew on 28 February 1959. Production of the SA316A (SE 3160) began in 1961 and remained in production until 1968. The Singapore model is the SA316B was manufactured by Aerospatiale of France.