In a surprising twist, Singapore has officially scrapped its plans to base a squadron of F-15 fighter jets in Guam starting in 2029. This decision follows a comprehensive review of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) training requirements.

The Ministry of Defence of Singapore confirmed on August 12 that discussions with the US Department of Defence had come to a halt regarding the planned RSAF fighter training detachment in Guam.

Training Plans Still Moving Ahead!

Despite this cancellation, Singapore intends to continue its short-term training exercises in Guam. Notably, an RSAF fighter training detachment is still scheduled to operate in Guam from October to November.

New Horizons for Training: Arkansas Awaits!

In an exciting development, Singapore is now collaborating with the US to set up a new fighter training unit at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, which will eventually accommodate RSAF’s cutting-edge F-35 fighter training.

The cancellation was shared earlier by the US Department of the Air Force (DAF) and has since captured media attention, particularly in Guam.

A Closer Look at the Decision

According to an official Record of Decision signed by US Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Saunders, the plan to station up to 12 F-15 aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base will not be moving forward.

This decision includes halting all proposed operations related to the Singapore detachment, which means there will be no RSAF personnel or their families stationed at the base.

The Bigger Picture: Infrastructure Plans Still Stand!

However, while plans for housing the F-15s have been shelved, infrastructure improvements like airfield pavements and fuel lines will still be underway, although the construction of certain site structures, such as munitions storage, will not proceed.

A Backstory to the Decision

This significant shift comes five years after a memorandum of understanding was established in 2019, following extensive studies focusing on various factors like training area suitability and necessary infrastructure.

The MOU had indicated that Guam's expansive training airspace would provide the RSAF a pivotal opportunity to enhance its operational readiness.

Guam: A Strategic Yet Distant Ally

Located a staggering 4,700 km from Singapore, the 550 sq km island of Guam has been a strategic training ground for Singaporean forces. RSAF jets have previously participated in training exercises here in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

Recent Naval Exercises—A Continued Presence!

Further highlighting the ongoing defense collaboration, the Republic of Singapore Navy conducted recent exercises in Guam and surrounding waters, continuing a tradition of joint military operations.

Thanking the US DOD for its unwavering support, Mindef reinforced the strong bilateral defense ties between Singapore and the United States, emphasizing the importance of ongoing cooperation in enhancing operational capabilities.