SINGAPORE: Up to a dozen F-15SG fighter jets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) could be stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, which is set to be the fourth RSAF detachment on US soil and the closest one to Singapore.
More details of the permanent fighter training detachment were revealed in a press release issued on Dec 13 by the US Department of the Air Force, which has proposed the bedding down of up to 12 RSAF fighter aircraft and associated mission support at Andersen Air Force Base.
This builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed in 2019 by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the US Department of Defense.
The agreement laid out the framework for the Guam detachment, which will allow RSAF to quickly redeploy and recall assets back to Singapore when required.
On Friday (Dec 22), a MINDEF spokesperson told CNA that access to vast airspace overseas “allows the RSAF to overcome local airspace constraints, and conduct high-end, realistic training to hone its operational competencies”.
“Overseas training detachments are integral to meeting the RSAF’s training requirements,” the spokesperson added.
“MINDEF will continue to work closely with the US Department of Defense and the relevant agencies, to ensure that the RSAF’s requirements are met in a cost-effective and timely manner.”
The Singapore Armed Forces has trained in Guam since the 1990s, while RSAF has previously deployed fighter aircraft to Andersen Air Force Base for training with the US Pacific Air Force.
FEASIBILITY STUDIES CONDUCTED
The MINDEF spokesperson said that the establishment of any long-term overseas detachment “requires careful and in-depth feasibility studies from all involved parties”.
In its press release earlier this month, the US Department of the Air Force said it initially issued a notice of intent in April 2021 to prepare an environmental impact statement for infrastructure upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base.
This includes environmental impact studies, as well as studies that look at factors such as suitability of the location and training area, infrastructure, and logistics support.
The environmental impact statement was subsequently paused to further consider its scope, including “the requirements of evolving strategic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific” region.
The US Department of the Air Force said it is now considering the bedding down and mission support of up to 12 RSAF F-15SG fighter aircraft.
“The purpose of the proposed action is to provide critical infrastructure that enhances US posture west of the international date line,” it added.
Construction of upgrades would take place over about three to seven years. These include an aircraft hanger, maintenance and utilities buildings, and fuel systems.
In identifying Andersen for “enhanced capabilities”, the US dismissed five other potential alternative locations within the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility for consideration.
The public has 30 days from Dec 15 to submit comments on the revised proposal.
RSAF currently has two other fighter detachments in the US: The Peace Carvin II F-16 fighter detachment at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and the Peace Carvin V F-15SG fighter detachment at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. It also has an AH-64 Apache helicopter detachment at Marana in Arizona.
Apart from the US, RSAF has overseas training detachments in Australia and France.