The RAAF and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) have marked 20 years of Singapore flying training at RAAF Base Pearce.
To celebrate the anniversary, the RSAF and RAAF undertook a combined flypast over Perth on September 27, with the chiefs of the Australian and Singapore air forces, Air Marshal Geoff Brown and Major General Hoo Cher Mou, reviewing a parade of RSAF 130 Squadron and RAAF 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) personnel.
Some 1,080 RAAF pilots and aircrew have graduated from Pearce during the 20-year timeframe.
“On behalf of Air Force I congratulate the Republic of Singapore Air Force on this milestone of the 20th anniversary of RSAF’s successful flying training,” AVM Brown said, adding: “The close relationship we have with our RSAF colleagues through sharing facilities and training builds effective and successful training outcomes beneficial to both countries.
“We pride ourselves in the strength of our bond with the RSAF and look forward to further advancing our joint capabilities,” he said.
RSAF’s 130 Squadron uses the Pilatus PC-21 to train future pilots at Pearce under its Basic Wings Program, a contractor supported model operated by Lockheed Martin, Pilatus and Hawker Pacific, the same teaming which has announced plans to bid for the RAAF’s AIR 5428 Pilot Training System program.
