1979/02 - Flying The Supersonic F-5E/F TIGER II

Northrop F-5E Tiger II

1979

The RSAF introduced the supersonic F-5E Tiger II, operated by 144 Squadron, enhancing threat detection and air combat capabilities.

The RSAF entered the realm of supersonic flight with the arrival of the Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs. They could break sound barriers and had an airborne radar that increased the range of threat detection. First operated by 144 Squadron at Tengah Air Base, the F-5s were also operated by 141 and 149 Squadrons.

Three pilots pose in front of an F-5 jet, marking Singapore’s early F-5 training in 1979.

The first pilots selected for conversion training on the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II jets were (from left to right) CPT Frank Singam, MAJ Michael Teo, and LTA Mark Wong.

Personnel unload an F-5 jet from a military cargo aircraft at Tengah Air Base.

In April 1978, 142 and 143 Squadrons were combined to form a critical mass of trained pilots to fly the F-5E/F Tiger II jets.

Aircrew pose in front of an F-5 and a C-130 aircraft at an RSAF airbase.

In February 1983, the pioneer F-5 pilots flew three newly purchased F-5Fs from Scotland to Singapore. It took the team eight days to cover 14,800km, before landing safely at Tengah Air Base.

Four RSAF pilots stand in front of F-5 aircraft with arms folded on the flight line.

The F-5E/F aircraft of 144 Squadron, which were initially housed at Tengah Air Base, found a new home at Paya Lebar Air Base in 1985.

Technicians inspect and maintain a jet engine mounted on a workshop test rig.

The maintenance support for the F-5E/F J85 engine in Tengah Air Base was among the first to adopt the integrated maintenance concepts.

“It was indeed an honour for me to be among the pioneer F-5 pilots for the RSAF. We had the privilege of bringing in a new way of thinking and executing air defence and air combat operations.”

COL (Ret) Frank Singam, Pilot, 2014 who was also one of the first members of the RSAF Black Knights