Singapore To Establish Permanent Guam Detachment
The RSAF’s search for peacetime training locations overseas has gained more impetus with the impending closure of Paya Lebar air base.
An F-15SG from the RSAF’s 142 Squadron operates from Andersen AFB on Guam during a 2017 exercise deployment. Photo: U.S. Air Force
An F-15SG from the RSAF’s 142 Squadron operates from Andersen AFB on Guam during a 2017 exercise deployment. Photo: U.S. Air Force

On December 7, Singapore defense minister Dr Ng Eng Hen and his U.S. counterpart Mark Esper signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up a permanent fighter detachment in the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, solidifying a plan made sometime in 2016 when Ng said that the RSAF was exploring new training detachments in Guam or New Zealand. While details remain sketchy, the MoU will see the potential deployment of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, Boeing F-15SG, and Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft.