US Chinook Training Facilities
Thursday, 6th November 1997
Singapore’s Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Rear Admiral (RADM) (NS) Teo Chee Hean, unveiled a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the new facilities at the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Peace Prairie Detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Photo Credit: Flickr.
The RSAF detachment has been training with the US Army National Guard on the Chinook helicopter since Jan 1996. The initial arrangement was for a short-term deployment to provide RSAF personnel with quality training on the new platform, alongside the experienced US Army National Guard. The Peace Prairie arrangement reflects the emphasis the RSAF places on the professional training of its personnel. Such an arrangement enhances the already close and warm defence relations between the US and Singapore, and adds to the extensive defence interactions and cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. This would enable the RSAF detachment to gain operational proficiency quickly.
With a long term deployment, more facilities are required for the RSAF detachment. Besides the office buildings, other new facilities, which include a maintenance hangar and parking aprons, are expected to be completed by early 1998. Currently, there are about 150 RSAF personnel and their family members based in Grand Prairie.