At 6 a.m. on Aug. 14, my alarm sounded sharper than usual—it was an early wake-up call for an exciting media flight with the Republic of Singapore Air
At 6 a.m. on Aug. 14, my alarm sounded sharper than usual—it was an early wake-up call for an exciting media flight with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aboard the A330 Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT). Although 6 a.m. may be a standard wake-up time for some, I’d normally still have a couple of hours to sleep in on a weekday.
After braving the morning rush, I arrived at Changi Air Base (East), where RSAF personnel greeted me and my colleague. The MRTT resembled a commercial jet, only outfitted with a sleek military exterior. Inside, the plane was strikingly similar to a passenger jet, with rows of front-facing seats and narrow aisles. These seats can be reconfigured for different missions, such as airlifting and aeromedical evacuations.
Once we were airborne, the experience shifted from a routine flight to something altogether thrilling. The MRTT maintained a low altitude, skimming past the coastline with East Coast Park and Sentosa just within view. Suddenly, two F-15SG fighter jets joined our formation, giving us an up-close look at RSAF’s precision flying—a preview of the aerial capability display planned for the RSAF55 Open House.
Flying with RSAF for a Day
We circled the skies above Paya Lebar Air Base and continued over the South China Sea. As we flew, I had the chance to chat with Lieutenant Colonel Tan Yi Kai, an RSAF pilot with 19 years of experience. Tan has logged over 3,000 flying hours and highlighted the unique challenges of operating the MRTT, especially during complex air-to-air refueling missions. “It’s all about communication and teamwork to ensure a safe and successful mission,” he shared.
Tan, who participated in humanitarian missions and evacuation operations, including aiding Afghan refugees in 2021, expressed his pride in RSAF’s capabilities and the MRTT’s role in it. This year, he’s looking forward to the RSAF55 Open House, where he’ll share the RSAF experience with the public.
RSAF55 Open House: An Up-Close Look at Singapore’s Air Force
The RSAF Open House returns on Sept. 9 and 10 after a seven-year break, offering Singaporeans the chance to explore Paya Lebar Air Base and meet the men and women of the RSAF. Visitors can view static displays of aircraft, catch a live aerial display, and participate in interactive exhibits celebrating the RSAF’s past, present, and future.
This free event requires no tickets, and attendees who secured familiarisation flight tickets can experience flying on RSAF aircraft like the MRTT. “It’s a rare chance for us to show what we do and connect with everyone,” Tan said, inviting the public to join him and his team.
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