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First generation (1968 to 1984)

1969/01 - Technicians to call our own

Year

1969

Singapore set up technical schools to train local SADC technicians, aiming to replace British personnel within two years.

In January 1969, the Air Technical Training School and the Electronic Technical Training School were set up at Seletar and Fort Canning. The objective was to train local SADC technicians to take over from the British soldiers in two years.

Group photo of SADC technicians with instructor.

The pioneer batch of technicians who were trained locally.

SADC personnel marching during a parade.

The first batch of locally trained technicians in 1969.

“As for the Technical Training School at Seletar, we set it up with the help of Airworks, a private British company. We just said, ‘Okay, you raise it; you just bring all your instructors.’ And they did. They trained the ground crew.“

COL (Ret) Charles Chew, Senior Air Staff Officer, 2008 on working in the early years of the SADC

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