Changi Air Base Facts for Kids

"Changi Airfield" and "RAF Changi" redirect here. For the commercial airport, see Singapore Changi Airport.

Quick facts for kids

Changi Air Base

Pangkalan Udara Changi  (Malay)
樟宜空軍基地  (Chinese)
சாங்கி வான்படைத் தளம்  (Tamil)

Badge of the Changi Air Base

IATA: SIN
ICAO: WSSS

Summary

Airport type

Military airbase

Owner

Government of Singapore

Operator

Republic of Singapore Air Force

Location

Changi, Singapore

Elevation AMSL

7 m / 22 ft

Coordinates

01°22′34.53″N 103°58′59.46″E / 1.3762583°N 103.9831833°E

Runway

Runway	Length		Surface
Runway	m	ft	Surface
02L/20R	4,000	13,123	Concrete
02C/20C	4,000	13,123	Concrete

The Changi Air Base is a military airfield used by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). It is located in Changi, at the eastern tip of Singapore. The air base is split into two main parts: Changi East and Changi West.

It shares its runways with the civilian Singapore Changi Airport. There is also a third runway planned for future use by the civilian airport. Together, the two parts of the air base are home to several RSAF squadrons. These include the 121 Squadron, 112 Squadron, and 145 Squadron. It also houses the Field Defence Squadron, Air Logistics Squadron, and Airfield Maintenance Squadron. The motto on the air base's badge is Together in Excellence.

History of Changi Air Base
- From British Camp to RAF Changi
- Changi Air Base is Born
Gallery
See also

History of Changi Air Base

From British Camp to RAF Changi

RAF Changi badge

A satellite image of RAF Changi taken in 1963 by the Corona satellite.

Before it became an air base, the Changi area was a large camp for British Army units. This was from the mid-1930s until 1942. In 1942, during World War II, Singapore was taken over by Japan. The British forces surrendered.

The Japanese then used the British barracks and buildings, along with Changi Prison, to hold Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs). These POWs were made to build the first runways for the airfield. They built two rough landing strips between 1943 and 1944. These strips crossed each other, allowing planes to land from different directions.

After Japan surrendered in 1945, the British military returned. The airfield became a Royal Air Force station in 1946. It was then renamed RAF Changi. Japanese troops, now prisoners of the British, were made to improve the runways. They made the north-south runway stronger for military aircraft.

RAF Changi was also connected to other important British sites. RAF Chia Keng was a radio-receiving station nearby. RAF Hospital Changi (now known as Old Changi Hospital) was the main hospital for British, Australian, and New Zealand service members. These countries were part of the "ANZUK" group.

Changi Air Base is Born

When the British forces left Singapore, RAF Changi was handed over to Singapore. This happened on December 9, 1971. It was then renamed Changi Air Base (CAB).

The first flying squadron for Singapore arrived shortly after. This was the Alouette Squadron with their Alouette III helicopters. In 1973, the 121 Squadron was formed at Changi Air Base. It is the oldest squadron still based there today.

A novel called 'The Sound of Pirates' by Terence Brand is set at the airfield in the 1960s.

Building Singapore Changi Airport

In June 1975, the Singapore government took over about two-thirds of the air base. This was to build the new Singapore Changi Airport. The new airport's runways were built close to the original north-south runway. The old east-west runway became a taxiway. It is still used today as part of Changi Air Base.

Changi Air Base (West)

Entrance of Changi Air Base (West).

After the new Changi Air Base (East) opened in 2004, the older part of the base was renamed. It became Changi Air Base (West) (Changi West Complex). It also houses the Headquarters Changi Air Base (HQ CAB).

The flying squadrons based here include:

121 Squadron with their Fokker F50 aircraft. These planes are used for transport and maritime patrol.

The support squadrons at Changi Air Base (West) are:

Field Defence Squadron (FDS)
Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS)
Airfield Operations Maintenance Squadron Fixed Wing 2 (AOMS-FW2)
Ground Logistics Liaison Office / Ground Logistics Squadron (GLLO/GLS)
Air Movement Centre (AMC)

Changi Air Base (East)

Changi Air Base (East) was officially opened on November 29, 2004. It was closed for runway work and reopened at the end of 2018.

The flying squadrons based at Changi Air Base (East) are:

145 Squadron with their F-16D Block 52+ fighter jets.
112 Squadron with their A330 MRTT aircraft, which are used for air-to-air refueling.

Gallery

Badge of HQ RAF Far East Air Force. This group was based at RAF Changi.
Men of the Royal Air Force (RAF) supervising Japanese prisoners of war as they build the main runway at Changi in 1946.
Japanese prisoners of war laying waterproof sheeting for the main runway at Changi.
A view of the main runway at RAF Changi after it was finished. It was long enough for the largest RAF aircraft.
A Fokker 50 MPA from the 121 Squadron.
A KC-135R from the 112 Squadron.
The Royal Air Force Changi memorial in Changi Village. It was built in 2010 to remember the RAF air base.