(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The United States Air Force is set to further enhance the infrastructure facilities at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for the permanent stationing of a detachment comprising 12 F-15SG fighter aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and its associated support equipment.
The initiative to improve infrastructure at the United States’ pivotal airbase in the Pacific to house the Singapore Air Force detachment aligns with Washington’s strategic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region.
It is also consistent with the agreement signed in 2019 between Singapore’s Minister of Defence, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, and the United States Secretary of Defense at the time, Mark Esper, regarding the deployment of a detachment of Singapore Air Force fighter aircraft on the island.
Guam, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is a critical forward operating base for the U.S. military in the Pacific, essential for supporting power projection by Washington and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Andersen Air Force Base in Guam was selected to host Singapore’s F-15SG aircraft after the U.S. Air Force evaluated five other potential locations.
In a recent statement issued by Andersen Air Force Base, it expressed its intent in April 2021 to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regarding the proposed infrastructure upgrades at the airbase.
The proposed infrastructure enhancements to accommodate RSAF aircraft will be implemented in the northern part of the airbase near the ammunition depot.
The construction of the new infrastructure is expected to take between three to seven years and will include runway improvements, aircraft hangar construction, maintenance and utility buildings, fueling systems, fencing systems, and various other facilities.
The construction work will cover an area of 85 hectares. As of now, Singapore possesses 40 F-15SG fighter aircraft, gradually acquired since 2005.
Previously, the Singapore Air Force temporarily deployed some F-15SG and F-16 fighter aircraft, along with its G550 early warning aircraft, to Guam for training purposes with the United States Air Force for periods of up to two months.
Singapore began deploying its combat aircraft to Guam for short-term training purposes in 2017. — DSA
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