149 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=RSAF 149 Squadron


role=Fighter-bomber
equipment=Sixteen F-5S/T Tiger-IIs
garrison=Paya Lebar Air Base
motto="Steadfast"
dates=1 June 1985
identification_symbol=Shikra
battle_honours=

The 149 Squadron "Shikra" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force is a fighter-bomber squadron based at Paya Lebar Air Base, the squadron goes by the motto "Steadfast" with the Shikra adopted as its mascot.

History

Based at Paya Lebar Air Base, 149 Squadron was inaugurated on 1 Jun 1985 as one of the RSAF's fighter squadrons operating in the interceptor role. The squadron initially operated the supersonic F-5E/F Tiger II fighter aircraft, but has been operating the improved F-5S/T Tiger-IIs fighter aircraft since the early 1990s, these were retrofitted with new state-of-the-art avionics giving the aircraft capability of carrying out both Air-to Air and Air-to-Ground missions.

Achievements

The squadron found itself actively involved in several major multilateral exercises such as Exercise Bersama Shield and Bersama Lima under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), and Exercise Cope Tiger with the US and Thailand air forces in the year of 2007. Also, the squadron has won the Best Fighter Squadron award (Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition) for the fifth time in 2008; its past achievements being in 1987, 1988, 2002 and 2004. [cite web| url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2008/jun/30jun08_nr/30jun08_fs.html |title =The SAF's Best Combat Units |publisher =MINDEF press release, Dated: 30 Jun 2008]

Aircraft operated

#15 F-5S & 1 F-5T Tiger-IIs (1985 - present)

Photo gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/air_force/assets/airbases_and_squadrons/Paya_Lebar_Air_Base.html RSAF web page on 149 Sqn & Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB)]