NDP 2010 Flypast

While the National Day Parade (NDP) 2010 Mobile Column rehearsals have been closely followed, plane spotters have been busy tracking Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) rehearsals in the western part of Singapore.

This photo essay shows RSAF Air Combat Command fast jets waiting for their curtain call on 31 July 2010. Many thanks to plane spotter Vincent Ng for the contribution.

Check Six! This is not the view hostile pilots would like to see in their rear view mirrors. Seen here on 31 July 2010, five Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) single-seat F-16Cs caught tracing race track patterns over Singapore. The Vipers were waiting for their datum call for the Parade Preview.

The RSAF is armed with the largest fleet of F-16s in Southeast Asia. These fly into battle with the advantage of the largest force of AEW elements in the region, plus other national assets which are best left unmentioned. :-) 

High Fives: RSAF F-5S Tiger IIs, which are the most lethal F-5s in the world, hold position on either wing of a Gulfstream G550 airborne early warning aircraft. The G550s main "weapon" is superior air sense and they fly into battle armed with a keen sense of the battlespace. Both types fly with the RSAF's Air Combat Command.

Peeling off: The spare F-5S peels off from the G550-led formation. Minutes later, the formation is seen flying past Singapore's City Centre (below). The National Day Parade 2010 Flypast comprises fixed and rotary-wing elements with spare aircraft ready to step in should the need arise.

Eagles high: RSAF F-15SG Strike Eagles seen in the race track pattern in loose formation. Two batches of F-15SGs have returned to Singapore and are based at Paya Lebar Airbase. The operational masterplan for RSAF airbases drawn up in the 1970s saw hardened shelters built for F-15-sized fighter aircraft, though the wing tip clearance for the Strike Eagles is said to be pretty close!