| RSAF 125 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1985 |
| Role | Transport, Search and rescue |
| Garrison/HQ | Sembawang Air Base |
| Motto(s) | "Swift And Bold" |
| Equipment | Aérospatiale AS332M Super Puma Airbus H225M |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | Starling |
The 125 Squadron "Starling" is a helicopter squadron based at Sembawang Air Base, Republic of Singapore Air Force. Established in 1985, the squadron goes by the motto "Swift And Bold", with the Starling as the squadron's motif.
Formed in February 1985, 125 Squadron consisted of twenty-two newly purchased Aérospatiale AS332M Super Puma medium lift helicopters. This was the Republic of Singapore Air Force's third helicopter squadron, after 120 Sqn and 123 Sqn. The pilots for the new helicopters were drawn from the two squadrons and led by Major Chia Sin Kwong, and were sent to France to undergo initial training. [1]
The first Super Puma made its way to Singapore in July 1985 and the squadron was officially inaugurated on 4 October 1985 by then Chief of General Staff, Major-General Winston Choo. [1] The Super Pumas enabled the transportation of troops and light vehicles in support of Singapore Army requirements. Three of the squadron's Super Pumas were painted in a special red and white scheme for the conducting of Search and rescue (SAR), taking over from the SAR-configured Bell 212 Twin Huey helicopters of 120 Sqn, which were retired the same year. Since then, 125 Squadron has stood on standby for SAR and medivac duties around the clock.
The Super Pumas enabled the transport of troops and light vehicles.
From 1986 to 1999, the Super Pumas of 125 Squadron flew the national flag during Singapore's National Day Parade.
In 2010, then Commanding Officer LTC Ong Jack Sen and the squadron celebrated the 25th anniversary of Super Puma operations in the RSAF. [2]
In November 2016, it was announced that the AS332M Super Puma platform would be replaced by the new Airbus H225M. The RSAF acquired its first order of the new aircraft in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic had delayed its initial projected delivery of end-2020. [3] In 2022, the H225M assumed the role of SAR standby duties from the Super Puma. [4]
The H225M was declared fully operational on 11 April 2024, in a combined Full Operational Capability (FOC) Ceremony with the CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters. [5]
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is the aerial service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) responsible for controlling and defending the airspace of the country, and providing air support to the Army and Navy. It was established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) before renaming to its current name in 1975.
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the armed forces have four service branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Digital and Intelligence Service. An integrated force, it is one of the most capable, robust, technologically sophisticated and powerful militaries in the Southeast Asia region. The SAF is headed by the chief of defence force, appointed by the President, on the advice of the Cabinet.
The Tengah Air Base is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) located in the Western Water Catchment, in the western part of Singapore.
The Sembawang Air Base is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) located at Sembawang, in the northern part of Singapore. The base motto is Swift and Resolute.
The 145 Squadron "Hornet" is a strike fighter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force based currently at Changi Airbase (East) which is a new airbase, opened in 2004, to the east of Singapore Changi Airport on reclaimed land. Due to ongoing construction works for Changi Airport Terminal 5 & runway expansion, this flight squadron is based at Tengah Airbase. With the hornet as its mascot, the squadron's motto is "Swift & Valiant".
The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), natively known as the Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB), is the air force of the sultanate of Brunei. It is headquartered and mainly based at the Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, opposite the Brunei International Airport (BIA). Its role is to defend the national airspace and to provide air policing and surveillance of its land and maritime borders. As of 2024, it operates twenty-two manned aircraft and five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
No. 330 Squadron RNoAF is a helicopter unit of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) and is Norway's military search and rescue service. The squadron operates ten Westland Sea King helicopters based at six airbases along the coast. Headquartered at Sola Air Station, the squadron has detachments at Rygge, Florø, Ørland, Bodø and Banak. The unit's primary duty is search and rescue (SAR), with secondary duties consisting of air ambulance and disaster relief.
The 120 Squadron "Kestrel" is a helicopter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force based at Sembawang Air Base. First formed in 1969, it is the first and oldest RSAF operational squadron in service. The squadron goes by the motto of "Strive To Achieve". Since 2006, it operates the AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter and has participated in Singapore's National Day Parade together with 127 Squadron CH-47SD Chinook for the traditional National Flag Fly Pass.
The 121 Squadron "Brahminy Kite" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) currently operates the Fokker 50 Utility Aircraft (UTA) and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) based at Changi Airbase (West). The squadron goes by the motto of "Seek and Destroy" and the mascot is the brahminy kite.
The ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk is a major upgrade project of the Douglas A-4S Skyhawk attack aircraft undertaken by Singapore Aircraft Industries in the 1980s. It was used exclusively by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), serving in the fighter-bomber role from 1989 until retirement from front line service in 2005. Since mid-1999, the A-4SU took on the additional role of being the designated advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft for the RSAF's AJT training program/detachment in Cazaux, France.
The Airbus Helicopters H225 is a long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter as the next generation of the civilian Super Puma family. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 24 passengers along with two crew and a cabin attendant, dependent on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for offshore support and VIP passenger transport duties, as well as public service missions.
The Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, now called Airbus Helicopters H225M, is a long-range tactical transport military helicopter developed from the Eurocopter AS532 Cougar for military use. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 28 seated troops along with two crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue duties, and is similar to the civilian EC225 Super Puma.
The 111 Squadron "Jaeger" was formed when the Republic of Singapore Air Force acquired four Grumman E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft in 1987. Based at Tengah Air Base, its primary function is to perform airborne surveillance and early warning. Other functions include Aircraft Intercept Control, Surface Surveillance, Search and Rescue and Air Traffic Control.
The Black Knights is the official aerobatics team of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) featuring six F-16Cs Fighting Falcon in formation flight. The Black Knights' emblem is sported on the red vertical tail of each of the team's aircraft and the team's name is emblazoned on both sides of the aircraft which are painted in red and white—the national colours of Singapore.
The 149 Squadron "Shikra" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force is a fighter-bomber squadron based at Paya Lebar Air Base. The squadron goes by the motto "Steadfast" with the Shikra adopted as its mascot.
The 127 Squadron is a helicopter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. The squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.
The 126 Squadron "Cougar" is a helicopter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Its motto is "Ready and Able", with the Cougar adopted as the squadron's motif.
The 142 Squadron "Gryphon" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force is a fighter-bomber squadron based at Paya Lebar Air Base, the squadron goes by the motto "Honour and Glory" with the Gryphon adopted as its mascot. According to IHS Janes, it is the second Singapore-based F-15SG Squadron.
Poh Li San is a Singaporean politician and businesswoman. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), she has been the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Sembawang West division of Sembawang GRC since 2020.
Persistence(209) is the third ship of the Endurance-class landing platform dock of the Republic of Singapore Navy.