Behind the scenes: How RSAF tows its aircraft to the Singapore Airshow 2024
The aircraft convoy at Aviation Park Road at 12.20am, close to three hours after the operation started. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
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SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) assets - from the F-15SG to the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) - are among the many on display at the Singapore Airshow 2024, which is being held from Feb 20 to 25.
A week before the airshow, the RSAF gave visual journalists a behind-the-scenes look at how it moved its aircraft from Changi Air Base (East) to Changi Exhibition Centre, the airshow venue.
At 9.30pm on Feb 13, with the signal to begin the operation given, RSAF servicemen began securing the fighter jets to the tow tractors. Each fighter jet was managed by a team of three servicemen, with two on the ground and one in the cockpit.
With all the jets secured, they were towed out of the hangar, joined by the A330 MRTT.
At about 10 pm, the convoy began its journey across the airbase, heading towards the exhibition centre at the stately speed of about 5km/h.
Close to three hours after the towing operation began, the convoy finally reached Aviation Park Road.
AETOS auxiliary police officers led the convoy along the road, with RSAF personnel deployed as "wingtip walkers" alongside the aircraft. Their job is to look out for obstacles that may come into contact with the aircraft wingtip.
At about 1 am, three and a half hours after the towing operation began, the convoy aircraft arrived at Changi Exhibition Centre.
Immediately, RSAF servicemen began to manoeuvre the fighter jets into position for the Singapore Airshow, followed by the MRTT.
Hours after the night towing operation, the helicopters moved in as well, landing at the Changi Exhibition Centre itself.
They include the CH-47F Chinook helicopter, which will be making its Singapore Airshow debut, as well as an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter and H225M helicopter.
