Sembawang Air Base Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Sembawang Air Base

Pangkalan Udara Sembawang  (Malay)
三巴旺空军基地  (Chinese)
செம்பவாங் வான்படைத் தளம்  (Tamil)

Badge of the Sembawang Air Base

IATA: none
ICAO: WSAG

Summary

Airport type

Military airbase

Owner

Government of Singapore

Operator

Republic of Singapore Air Force

Location

Sembawang, Singapore

Elevation AMSL

26 m / 86 ft

Coordinates

01°25′31″N 103°48′46″E / 1.42528°N 103.81278°E

Runway

Runway	Length		Surface
Runway	m	ft	Surface
04/22	1,907	6,255	Asphalt
05/23	1,036	3,400	Asphalt

The Sembawang Air Base is a military air base in Singapore. It's located in the northern part of Sembawang. This base is super important for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). Its motto is Swift and Resolute, which means fast and determined.

History of Sembawang Air Base
What Happens at Sembawang Air Base Today?
- Flying Squadrons at SBAB
Photo gallery
See also

History of Sembawang Air Base

Early Days as RAF Sembawang

Before Singapore became an independent country, this air base was run by the Royal Air Force (RAF) from the United Kingdom. It was called RAF Sembawang. It was also known as HMS Simbang for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. This was a place where pilots from aircraft carriers could rest and get their planes fixed. These carriers often docked at the nearby Singapore Naval Base.

World War II and Beyond

During World War II, when Japan took over Singapore, the Japanese Navy Air Service used RAF Sembawang. After the war ended in September 1945, the British got the air base back.

RAF Sembawang played a big role in keeping Britain's military strong in Asia. It was important during conflicts like the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960), the Brunei Revolt in 1962, and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation (1962–1966).

Becoming Sembawang Air Base (SBAB)

In 1971, the air base was given to Singapore's own air defence force. It was then renamed Sembawang Air Base (SBAB). For a few years, British, Australian, and New Zealand forces also used the base. This was part of an agreement called the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

In 1983, Sembawang Air Base became a special base just for helicopters. The first helicopter squadron, 120 Squadron, moved there permanently. Later, in the late 1990s, the base expanded.

What Happens at Sembawang Air Base Today?

Today, Sembawang Air Base is home to about 100 helicopters. Most of these helicopters help the Singapore Army and the Republic of Singapore Navy. It's the main base for all the RSAF's helicopter squadrons.

Some of the helicopters based here include:

Eurocopter AS332 Super Pumas
Boeing CH-47SD Chinooks
Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters (like the Seahawk)
Eurocopter Fennecs
Bell UH-1Hs (kept in reserve)
Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters

Flying Squadrons at SBAB

Here are some of the helicopter squadrons based at Sembawang:

120 Squadron: They fly the powerful AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters.
123 Squadron: They fly S-70B Seahawk helicopters. These are used by the Singapore Navy but flown by RSAF pilots.
124 Squadron: They fly EC120 Colibri helicopters. They also have a training group at Seletar Airport.
125 Squadron: They use AS332M Super Puma and Airbus H225 helicopters. Some of these are set up for Search and rescue missions.
126 Squadron: They fly AS532UL/AL Cougar helicopters.
127 Squadron: They operate CH-47D and CH-47SD Chinooks, which are large transport helicopters.

The RSAF's Chong Pang Camp is also located within the air base. You can also find the famous local Sembawang Hot Spring nearby.

Photo gallery

Entrance of RAF Sembawang, around 1941.
Brewster Buffalo Mark Is being checked by RAF staff on 12 October 1941 at RAF Sembawang.
Brewster Buffalo aircraft from No. 21 Squadron flying over RAF Sembawang.
Staff from Sembawang Air Base's Air Logistic Squadron with helicopters used by the RSAF.
A 120 Squadron AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter on display.
A 125 Squadron Super Puma taking off from the RSS Resolution ship.
A 127 Squadron CH-47SD Chinook landing on the USS Rushmore during a training exercise.