>> 120 Squadron: RSAF's first operational unit

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 29 September 2006


THE MOTTO of 120 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) proudly exhorts, "Strive to achieve." Through its achievements, "one-twenty" gradually evolved from its humble beginning to the tough air warfare unit it is today.

Formed in late 1969, the squadron, equipped with eight Sud Aviation Alouette III helicopters became the RSAF's first operational and Search and Rescue (SAR) squadron. Based first in West Camp, Seletar Airbase, it flew sorties ranging from helping merchant ships in distress to evacuating the sick.

Since those early days, the squadron has come a long way. Today, it has assumed a new role and re-armed with Boeing's Apache Longbow AH-64 attack helicopters. The Apache bristles with the latest weapon systems and electronics geared for modern warfare. Technologies aside, its lean and mean looks are enough to deter any would-be foe.

It is the formative years of 120 Squadron, however, that I wish to focus on. Between January 1970 until 1975, I served in 120 - my second posting in RSAF - among the pioneering cohort of aircraft technicians in the squadron.

On National Day 1970, a four-kite Alouette formation took part in the parade at the Padang. In the photo above, the flight led by Cpt* Derrick Martin (Alouette bearing underslung state flag) with team-mates: LTA* William Ang, LTA Teo Boon Haw and LTA Leo Tin Boon, hovered in the holding area over Buona Vista before flying to the Padang.

The squadron's main tasks covered: Search and Rescue (SAR), VIP flights, parajumps (before Short Skyvans later took over the role), humanitarian missions and training.

Singapore's first and second Defence Ministers, Dr Goh Keng Swee and the late Mr Lim Kim San, often used the VIP ferry service. Usually, the squadron's Officer Commanding or one of his senior pilots would fly the Defence Minister or other VIPs. I remember the task usually fell on Major Terry Loh (120 Squadron's first OC) or his deputy Captain Derrick Martin. And Major Loh cut a dashing and resplendent figure in his Day-glo coloured flying suit.

In 1980, Major Loh sadly died in a helicopter crash in Hong Kong.

Pioneers of Singapore's "Red Lions" free-fall parajump team trained with the Alouettes long before Skyvans and later C130s took over. COL* Clarence Tan and his commando parajump teams were familiar faces on the squadron premises. In a parajump role, the Alouette had to be configured without passenger seats and both (port and starboard) cabin sliding doors. On their way to the leap-off altitude, parachutists rode in the cabin secured by harnesses.

In December 1970, RSAF's Alouettes assisted in evacuation duties during the monsoon flood along peninsular Malaya's east coast. The aircraft operated out of the Malaysian air force base at Kuantan. It was RSAF's first humanitarian rescue mission abroad. The mission did more than saving people marooned by the monsoon. It even had an unusual task of evacuating horse fodder from the Sultan of Pahang's palace at Pekan to higher and drier ground.


* Singapore Armed Forces abbreviations :
LTA - Lieutenant
CPT - Captain
MAJ - Major
COL - Colonel

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