127 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force
Encyclopedia
The 127 Squadron is a helicopter squadron base at Sembawang Air Base (SBAB), Republic of Singapore Air Force
, the squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.
& 126 Sqn
in Search & Rescue (SAR) operations.
One such incident happened on 18 December 2008 at 1612hrs (Singapore Standard Time
), when a multi-role survey vessel of the Royal Navy
—the , made a call for assistance to the RSAF's Air operation centre (AOC) requesting for emergency evacuation of an unconscious crew. As was then outside the normal operational range of 125 Sqn's SAR Super Pumas, LTC Vincent Chin of AOC decided to launch one of 127 Sqn's Chinook helicopter to undertake the task of long-range medical evacuation (Medevac). Within 45 minutes from the time of activation, the squadron's commanding officer—LTC Low Chung Guan along with co-pilot MAJ Andy Lim and Medical Officer CPT (Dr) Charles Goh was in the air. The unconscious casualty, Leading Rating
(LH) Cleary, was subsequently airlifted to National University Hospital
in Singapore for medical treatment, whereupon he made a full recovery. On 29 December 2008, while docked at Singapore, Commander Gary Brooks of commented that "if LH Cleary had not received medical attention for just another four to six hours, he might not have survived."; Commander Brooks then thanked the RSAF and 127 Sqn for their prompt response and professionalism demonstrated during this medical emergency.
Also, during Singapore's annual National Day Parade
, the Chinooks of 127 Sqn takes on a different, but no less important role by flying the Singapore flag proudly over the parade venue since 2000.
Republic of Singapore Air Force
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is the air arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was first established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command...
, the squadron goes by the motto of "Strength, Courage, Swiftness", the motto is supported by the squadron motif, a white horse in full battle armour.
Unit History
Formed at Sembawang Air Base in 1998, the 127 Squadron was set up to provide the RSAF with much needed help in the heavylift/support role of troop-lift and equipment transportation. And from time to time, the squadron's Chinooks are also used to augment 125 Sqn125 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force
The 125 Squadron "Puma" is a helicopter squadron base at Sembawang Air Base, Republic of Singapore Air Force, the squadron goes by the motto of "Swift In Support", with the Puma as the squadron's motif.-Unit History:...
& 126 Sqn
126 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force
The 126 Squadron "Cougar" is a helicopter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. The squadron goes by the motto "Ready and Able", with the Cougar adopted as the squadron's motif.-Unit History:...
in Search & Rescue (SAR) operations.
One such incident happened on 18 December 2008 at 1612hrs (Singapore Standard Time
Singapore Standard Time
Singapore Standard Time or Singapore Time based in Singapore uses a time zone eight hours in advance of UTC .- History :...
), when a multi-role survey vessel of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
—the , made a call for assistance to the RSAF's Air operation centre (AOC) requesting for emergency evacuation of an unconscious crew. As was then outside the normal operational range of 125 Sqn's SAR Super Pumas, LTC Vincent Chin of AOC decided to launch one of 127 Sqn's Chinook helicopter to undertake the task of long-range medical evacuation (Medevac). Within 45 minutes from the time of activation, the squadron's commanding officer—LTC Low Chung Guan along with co-pilot MAJ Andy Lim and Medical Officer CPT (Dr) Charles Goh was in the air. The unconscious casualty, Leading Rating
Leading Rating
Leading rating is the most senior of the junior rates in the Royal Navy. It is equal in status to corporal, although for a long time was officially junior to that rank. The rate was introduced under the authority of Admiralty Circular No. 121 of 14 June 1853.Leading ratings are normally addressed...
(LH) Cleary, was subsequently airlifted to National University Hospital
National University Hospital
The National University Hospital , established in 1985, is Singapore's only university hospital. It serves as a tertiary hospital as well as a clinical training centre and a research centre for the medical and dental faculties of the National University of Singapore...
in Singapore for medical treatment, whereupon he made a full recovery. On 29 December 2008, while docked at Singapore, Commander Gary Brooks of commented that "if LH Cleary had not received medical attention for just another four to six hours, he might not have survived."; Commander Brooks then thanked the RSAF and 127 Sqn for their prompt response and professionalism demonstrated during this medical emergency.
Also, during Singapore's annual National Day Parade
National Day Parade
The Singapore National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore's National Day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore's independence that is usually held at the Padang , the National Stadium, various decentalized venues all over...
, the Chinooks of 127 Sqn takes on a different, but no less important role by flying the Singapore flag proudly over the parade venue since 2000.