ST Aerospace delivers first upgraded C-130 to RSAF

The first of 10 upgraded C130 Hercules transports has been delivered to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) by Singapore Technologies Aerospace. The upgraded aircraft features among other improvements, a new glass cockpit.

Singaporean ships, aircraft take part in Ex Singaroo

The Singapore Ministry of Defence has announced that ships and aircraft of the Republic of Singapore Navy and Air Force are taking part in Exercise Singaroowith the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force in off Darwin, Australia. Two RSAF Fokker 50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 121 Sqn based at Changi West airbase are involved in the exercise.

Singapore deploys UAV team to Afghanistan

The Singapore Armed Forces has deployed a 52-man Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Task Group to Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. This is the first time that the SAF is deploying a UAV Task Group to Afghanistan.

Pitch Black 2010 draws to a close

Exercise Pitch Black 2010 drew to a close last night with the final flying sorties at RAAF Darwin.

PHOTO: Singaporean F-16s far from home

Photos of Republic of Singapore Air Force far from home at opposite corners of the world. In the second photo, aircraft 632 (FMS serial 96-5033) carries an inert GBU-12. (Click on thumbnails to view high res images)


Luke Air Force Base crew chiefs make final checks on four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 425th Fighter Squadron prior to takeoff July 12. On average, Luke pilots fly about 113 training missions per day. (Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tracie Forte)


20100629adf8164101_0149 F-16 Falcons from the RSAF line up on the RAAF Darwin taxi way ready for their next mission during Exercise Pitch Black.
(Australian Defence Force Photo)

Singapore Air Force celebrates Pitch Black milestone

This years Pitch Black exercise in Australia marks the 20th year of participation by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

PHOTO: Singaporean Navy Seahawk

(Click on thumbnail to view high res image)
Roy RX has kindly sent us a photo of a Republic of Singapore Navy Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk flying in typically Singaporean afternoon skies. According to sources 3 of 6 aircraft on order are back in Singapore, for equipping the RSN's 6 Formidable-class frigates. These are the first naval helicopters in the Singaporean inventory, and marks a new capability for the RSN.

GALLERY: Aircraft arrive at RAAF Darwin for Pitch Black

The ADF has put up a gallery of aircraft arrivals into RAAF Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black.

This, and Ex Kakadu to follow immediately after Pitch Black, will be the last multinational exercises for the RAAF's F-111s which will retire in December.

More at the ADF's Pitch Black website.

Exercise Pitch Black arrivals, Darwin, Australia

Reports beginning to filter in of RSAF and RTAF movements into Darwin, Australia for Exercise Pitch Black.

An RSAF C-130 and KC-135, RTAF A310 and at least 2 F-16s have been seen.

Stay tuned for more in the coming days

Fighting Cocks in Singapore for Commando Sling

The 67th Fighter Squadron, 18th Wing has deployed six F-15 Eagles and 77 men to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore for 2010's third iteration of the annual Commando Sling series of exercises with the Republic of Singapore Air Force. See US Pacific Command news release.

Singapore Seahawks return home

At least one of the six S-70B Seahawks ordered by the Republic of Singapore Navy is back in Singapore. It was sighted flying over Paya Lebar Airbase in early July.

The helicopters were purchased for operations aboard the RSN's Formidable-class frigates and the Peace Triton training detachment in San Diego's Maritime Strike Weapons School was only initiated in November 2009.

Welcome!

Welcome to The Base Leg Blog. This will serve as the News Section of Base Leg Aviation News and Photography. To kick things off, heres an excellent air-to-air study of Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16D 625 (s/n 94-0277) of 140 (Osprey) Sqn, taken from a Royal Australian AF P-3 Orion during Ex Bersama Shield, May 2010.

Photo courtesy of the RAAF. (click on the thumbnail to access a high res version)