125 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force

Singapore Air Force squadron October 2019 RSAF 125 Squadron 125Sqn shoulder patch.jpg 200 Transport, Search and rescue Airbus H225M Sembawang Air Base "Swift And Bold" 1985-present Starling The 125 Squadron "Starling" is a helicopter squadron based at Sembawang Air Base, Republic of Singapore Air Force. Established in 1985, the squadron goes by the motto "Swift And Bold", with the Starling as the squadron's motif. Unit history Formed in February 1985, 125 Squadron consisted of twenty-two newly purchased Aérospatiale AS332M Super Puma medium lift helicopters. This was the Republic of Singapore Air Force's third helicopter squadron, after 120 Sqn and 123 Sqn. The pilots for the new helicopters were drawn from the two squadrons and led by Major Chia Sin Kwong, and were sent to France to undergo initial training.http://www.totaldefence.sg/imindef/about_us/history/maturing_saf/v10n10_history.html 1985 – Lifting Off: The Super Pumas of 125 Squadron Derek Liew 9 October 2006 Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) 5 September 2010 The first Super Puma made its way to Singapore in July 1985 and the squadron was officially inaugurated on 4 October 1985 by then Chief of General Staff, Major-General Winston Choo. The Super Pumas enabled the transportation of troops and light vehicles in support of Singapore Army requirements. Three of the squadron's Super Pumas were painted in a special red and white scheme for the conducting of Search and rescue (SAR), taking over from the SAR-configured Bell 212 Twin Huey helicopters of 120 Sqn, which were retired the same year. Since then, 125 Squadron has stood on standby for SAR and medivac duties around the clock. The Super Pumas enabled the transport of troops and light vehicles. From 1986 to 1999, the Super Pumas of 125 Squadron flew the national flag during Singapore's National Day Parade. 125 Squadron has also won the Best Unit Award on several occasions: it won the Best Helicopter Squadron award (since the award's inception in 2010) in 2014, followed by a record-setting four consecutive awards from 2017-2020. Prior to that, it previously only won best unit awards on two occasions- both under the "Air Combat Support" banner- once in 1999, and before then with their inaugural win (in 1993https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19930630-1.2.32.17 "Work Excellence Wins Squadron Award" Pereira Matthew 30 June 1993 Straits Times (Singapore) from the National Library Board Newspaper Microfilm Archives 29 June 2026 under then Commanding Officer, Major S. Thanabalan). In 2010, then Commanding Officer Leftenant-Colonel Ong Jack Sen and the squadron celebrated the 25th anniversary of Super Puma operations in the RSAF.http://www.helihub.com/2010/06/23/republic-of-singapore-air-force-celebrates-25-years-of-super-puma-ops/ Republic of Singapore Air Force celebrates 25 years of Super Puma ops 23 June 2010 Helihub.Com 5 September 2010 In November 2016, it was announced that the AS332M Super Puma platform would be replaced by the new Airbus H225M. The RSAF acquired its first order of the new aircraft in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic had delayed its initial projected delivery of end-2020.https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/rsaf-new-helicopter-h225m-super-puma-2381286 RSAF unveils new H225M helicopter with better range, manoeuvring to replace Super Pumas 15 Dec 2021 Channel News Asia 21 May 2022 In 2022, the H225M assumed the role of SAR standby duties from the Super Puma.https://www.airmedandrescue.com/latest/long-read/exploring-singaporean-air-forces-sarmedevac-unit Exploring the Singaporean Air Force's SAR/Medevac unit 31 Aug 2022 AirMed&Rescue 26 May 2024 The H225M was declared fully operational on 11 April 2024, in a combined Full Operational Capability (FOC) Ceremony with the CH-47F heavy-lift helicopters.https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/pioneer/article/cover-article-detail/milestones/2024-Q2/11apr24_news1 RSAF'S Latest Helicopteers Turn Fully Operational 11 Apr 2024 Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) 26 May 2024 Aircraft operated 22× AS332M Super Puma (1985–2023) 16x H225M (2021–present)Singapore’s helicopter defensive systems on show - Australian Defence Magazine https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/singapore-s-helicopter-defensive-systems-on-show 2025-01-19 www.australiandefence.com.au en References Notes External links RSAF web page on 125 Sqn & Sembawang Air Base(SBAB) https://web.archive.org/web/20081011163833/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/air_force/assets/airbases_and_squadrons/Sembawang_Air_Base.html 11 October 2008 Category:Squadrons of the Republic of Singapore Air Force Category:Mandai