RED HAWKS INAUGURATED AS ATTACK SQUADRON

The Red Hawks, as 120 Squadron is known as, are finally back home - and back as an attack squadron.

Home to the Apache Longbow Attack Helicopters (AH-64D), 120 Squadron was inaugurated at a ceremony in Sembawang Air Base on 26 Jun.

After a four-year deployment in Arizona in the United States with the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Peace Vanguard detachment, 120 Squadron returned to Singapore in January this year.

With the transformation of this former utility squadron to an attack squadron, the Apache helicopters will enhance the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) capability to undertake a wider spectrum of missions, notably air-land integrated operations.

Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, who officiated at the inauguration ceremony, said: "The transformation from a utility to an attack squadron, from operating analogue to an advanced digital aircraft, epitomises the transformational journey of the SAF."

Mr Teo presented the squadron patches to the pilots and also unveiled the squadron plaque.

LTC Sew and his crew are looking forward to the new challenges ahead now that 120 Squadron is an attack squadron.

LTC Sew Chun Liang, Commanding Officer (CO) of the squadron, felt that the biggest challenge for the Red Hawks was to integrate the aircraft with the SAF.

"The SAF is moving into a 3G transformation and to be a networked superior force. We're network-ready, so to move ahead is to do more training and more integration with the SAF, especially the Army units," he said.

LTC Sew added that the whole squadron had come a long way and all the crew members were very excited.

"Now, officially, we have a squadron and everyone is looking forward to the challenges ahead."

CPT Cheong Kok Seen, one of 120 Squadron's pilots, agreed with his CO: "We've put quite a lot effort in the preparations for this integration with our own forces in the SAF."

120 Squadron flew its final mission as a utility squadron in 2005, after 36 years of illustrious achievements, like the Kuantan Flood Relief operations in 1971 and the Hotel New World Collapse rescue efforts in 1986.

This year, Singaporeans can expect to see the squadron 's attack helicopters in action at the National Day Parade fly-past.