National officials formally herald RSAF operations

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean tacks on a Peace Carvin V patch on the uniform of a member of the RSAF's 428th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home AFB.

Senior leaders representing the Republic of Singapore, U.S. Air Force and state of Idaho ushered in a new international partnership at Mountain Home Air Force Base during a ceremony Nov. 18.

Hundreds of people representing the Air Force and Republic of Singapore air force packed into a hangar on the base's east side to witness the official start of the Peace Carvin V flight training program here.

The Republic of Singapore air force, or RSAF, purchased 20 of the F-15SG next-generation fighters under the Peace Carvin foreign military sales program. Four previous Peace Carvin agreements involved sales of upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcons to the Singapore government.

Over the next 25 years, RSAF aircrews will fly ten of its F-15SG fighters here. They are similar to the F-15E Strike Eagles currently flown at the base.

Superb resources at Mountain Home Air Force Base and the supportive Mountain Home community make this base the "ideal location" for this international partnership, said Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley. The Air Force's senior leader highlighted the base's ample infrastructure and world-class aircraft training ranges as some of the reasons why the base became the host for the aircraft training squadron.

"Our partnership here in Idaho also presents a great opportunity for the citizens of Singapore and the United States to engage in cultural exchange, further enhancing the already close relationship between our nations," said Donley during his comments at last week's ceremony.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean extended his personal thanks to the base and Mountain Home communities "for the warm hospitality" they extended to RSAF service members and their families.

See the Mountain Home News for the complete story.