127 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force
| RSAF 127 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1998 – Present |
| Role | Transport, Search and rescue |
| Garrison/HQ | Sembawang Air Base |
| Motto(s) | "Strength, Courage, Swiftness" |
| Equipment | Six CH-47D and twelve CH-47SD Chinooks[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | A white horse in full battle armour |
The 127 Squadron is a helicopter squadron base at Sembawang Air Base (SBAB), Republic of Singapore Air Force, the squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.
Unit History
Formed at Sembawang Air Base in 1998, the 127 Squadron was set up to provide the RSAF with much needed help in the heavylift/support role of troop-lift and equipment transportation. And from time to time, the squadron's Chinooks are also used to augment 125 Sqn & 126 Sqn in Search & Rescue (SAR) operations.
One such incident happened on 18 December 2008 at 1612hrs (Singapore Standard Time), when a multi-role survey vessel of the Royal Navy—the HMS Echo (H87), made a call for assistance to the RSAF's Air operation centre (AOC) requesting for emergency evacuation of an unconscious crew. As HMS Echo was then outside the normal operational range of 125 Sqn's SAR Super Pumas, LTC Vincent Chin of AOC decided to launch one of 127 Sqn's Chinook helicopter to undertake the task of long-range medical evacuation (Medevac). Within 45 minutes from the time of activation, the squadron's commanding officer—LTC Low Chung Guan along with co-pilot MAJ Andy Lim and Medical Officer CPT (Dr) Charles Goh was in the air. The unconscious casualty, Leading Rating (LH) Cleary, was subsequently airlifted to National University Hospital in Singapore for medical treatment, whereupon he made a full recovery. On 29 December 2008, while docked at Singapore, Commander Gary Brooks of HMS Echo commented that "if LH Cleary had not received medical attention for just another four to six hours, he might not have survived."; Commander Brooks then thanked the RSAF and 127 Sqn for their prompt response and professionalism demonstrated during this medical emergency.[2]
Also, during Singapore's annual National Day Parade, the Chinooks of 127 Sqn takes on a different, but no less important role by flying the Singapore flag proudly over the parade venue since 2000.
Aircraft operated
- 6× CH-47D / 12× CH-47SD Chinooks (1998–present)[1]
-
127 Sqn's CH-47SD lands aboard USS Rushmore (LSD-47) during Exercise CARAT 2001
-
Singapore Air Show 2010: A CH-47SD of 127 Sqn on static display
References
- 1 2 Gunner, Jerry (November 2011). "Chinook at 50 - World Wokka Operators - Republic of Singapore Air Force". Air Forces Monthly. Vol. 284. Key Publishing Ltd. p. 88 (pp.84–90). ISSN 0955-7091.
- ↑ Palaniappan, Ashok (28 Jan 2009). "Swift evacuation by RSAF Chinook saves Royal Navy sailor". Cyberpioneer. Ministry of Defence (Singapore). Retrieved 15 October 2010.
External links
- "RSAF web page on 127 Sqn & Sembawang Air Base(SBAB)". mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008.