22-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is set to establish its fourth detachment on US soil, with up to a dozen F-15SG fighter jets potentially being stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. This new detachment marks a significant development in the bilateral defense cooperation between Singapore and the United States.
The US Department of the Air Force recently disclosed further details about the fighter training detachment in a press release issued on December 13. The proposal includes the deployment of up to 12 RSAF fighter aircraft and mission support at Andersen Air Force Base.
This initiative builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed in 2019 by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the US Department of Defense. The agreement lays out the framework for the Guam detachment, enabling the RSAF to redeploy and recall assets swiftly to Singapore when necessary.
A spokesperson from MINDEF stated that having access to expansive airspace overseas allows the RSAF to overcome local airspace constraints and conduct high-end, realistic training to enhance operational competencies. Overseas training detachments are a crucial component of meeting the RSAF’s training requirements. MINDEF emphasized its commitment to working closely with the US Department of Defense and relevant agencies to ensure the RSAF’s needs are met efficiently and cost-effectively.
The Singapore Armed Forces has been conducting training exercises in Guam since the 1990s, and RSAF has previously deployed fighter aircraft to Andersen Air Force Base for joint training with the US Pacific Air Force.
Establishing a long-term overseas detachment requires careful feasibility studies involving all parties concerned. The US Department of the Air Force had 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 studies on environmental impact, location suitability, training areas, infrastructure, and logistics support. The scope of the environmental impact statement is being further considered to align with evolving strategic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US Department of the Air Force is currently evaluating the bedding down and mission support for up to 12 RSAF F-15SG fighter aircraft. The proposed action aims to provide critical infrastructure that enhances US posture west of the international date line. The construction of upgrades is projected to take place over a period of three to seven years, involving the construction of an aircraft hangar, maintenance and utilities buildings, and fuel systems.
Andersen Air Force Base was selected as the preferred location for enhanced capabilities after dismissing five other potential alternative locations within the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility. The revised proposal is open to public comment for 30 days, starting from December 15.
The RSAF currently maintains 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. Additionally, it operates an AH-64 Apache helicopter detachment at Marana in Arizona. Apart from the US, the RSAF has overseas training detachments in Australia and France.
