RSAF OPEN HOUSE SET TO TAKE OFF

Fighter jets scrambling to the skies to take out an unknown aircraft, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying out underslung operations with a light strike vehicle, and two AH-64D Apache helicopters simulate firing at ground targets.

Sounds exciting? These are some of the aerial displays that the Republic of Air Force (RSAF) has in store for the public at their open house this coming weekend.

Themed "Defending Our Skies", the event will be held at Paya Lebar Air Base on 21 and 22 May. Visitors will be treated to an action-packed aerial display and have the chance to get up close and personal with the RSAF's latest aircraft and weapon systems.

Deputy Chairman of the RSAF Open House 2016 (ROH16) Colonel (COL) Randy Ong hoped that visitors would be able to see and understand how the RSAF's operations are being conducted on a deeper level.

"We want to showcase our mission, operations and capabilities. More importantly, we want to use this opportunity to show how our airmen and airwomen work tirelessly behind the scenes to defend the skies and keep Singapore safe."

A perennial favourite, this year's aerial display will feature a thrilling scenario involving both air assets and ground-based air defence (GBAD) systems such as the F-15SG and F-16C fighter jets, the AH-64D and CH-47 helicopters, as well as the Surface-to-air PYthon-5 and DERby (SPYDER) and Mechanised IGLA GBAD systems.

First-time aerial display participant Captain (CPT) Ravinpal Singh said that the integrated performance was a showcase of how different parts of the RSAF come together to protect the nation - from the controllers scrambling to activate the fighter pilots to the logistics crew launching the aircraft, and the GBAD systems defending the skies from the ground.

"What you see at the aerial display are all operational maneuvers, which is what we do when we get called into action. This whole display of different platforms is a showcase of our capabilities," explained the F-16C pilot from 143 squadron (SQN).

Training for the display started a month ago, and fellow aerial display participant CPT Nah Jin Ping noted the challenge in keeping to the precise timings for the display.

"There are a lot of moving pieces so the difficulty is in the coordination and adherence to the stipulated timings, to be on time (and) on target every single time," said the F-15SG pilot from 149 SQN, who is one of two female fighter pilots participating in the aerial display.

Aircraft enthusiasts will enjoy more than 20 types of aircraft and weapon systems on static display. These include fighter aircraft like Black Knights' aircraft, transport aircraft such as the C-130 and Fokker-50, as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles like the Heron 1 and Hermes 450. Visitors will also get a chance to sit in the cockpit of their favourite aircraft and interact with the RSAF personnel operating these assets.

The open house also features an exhibition which houses the RSAF s aircraft and weapon systems simulators as well as stories of its transformation and its airmen and women in action.

Younger visitors have not been forgotten: at the Carnival Zone, they can try their hand at drone flying, engage in aviation-related and console games, and even scale new heights at an inflatable rock climbing station.

As parking is not available, there will be shuttle buses to pick-up and drop-off visitors at Eunos Bus Interchange and Kovan Hub. These buses operate with 10-minute intervals, and the first and last departure timings are at 8.30am and 5.30pm respectively.

For more details and the latest updates on ROH16, visit the RSAF Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheRSAF).