Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has confirmed that plans for a permanent Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fighter training detachment stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam have been discontinued.
In response to enquiries from Asian Military Review, MINDEF stated on 12 August: “Following a review of the RSAF’s training requirements, MINDEF and the US Department of Defense (DoD) have mutually agreed to discontinue discussions on establishing an RSAF fighter training detachment in Guam.”
The statement followed a 16 July record of decision by the US Department of the Air Force that said it will not “implement or carry forward the bed-down of up to twelve RSAF F-15 aircraft…at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB)”.
No reasons for shelving the plan was mentioned in the record of decision, although it said the decision was based on operational analysis, environmental surveys and input from public and government agencies, as well as military judgement factors.
However, the 2023 announcement of the establishment of a US strategic ground-based air and missile defence system on the island to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles could be a key factor. The system’s multiple radar sites around the island may present potential electromagnetic interference hazards, and could result in the imposition of airspace restrictions.
Other possible reasons include Guam’s position on the frontline of any potential conflict between the US and China, as well as limited housing availability on the island as the US beefs up its military presence there.
In December 2019, MINDEF and the US DoD had signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a framework for establishing this RSAF detachment at Andersen from 2029. While initial reports indicated the deployment would comprise F-15SG and F-16C/D fighter aircraft, along with support platforms, the latest information confirms that only F-15SGs would have been based there.
Meanwhile, the RSAF’s Peace Carvin V F-15SG detachment at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho is set to conclude in the 2028-29 timeframe, and it will need to be relocated should the agreement to train at that base not be extended.
A fighter detachment on Guam would have offered opportunities for air-maritime integration training, something not possible with current detachments located inland in the continental USA. Additionally, Guam’s closer proximity to Singapore would enable faster recall of RSAF fighters in the event of an emergency.
Since 2017, the navies of Singapore and the USA have conducted the biennial Exercise Pacific Griffin out of Guam, with the most recent iteration held in June. While primarily a maritime-focused exercise, it features a significant RSAF supporting component.
The MINDEF statement added that short-term training and exercises – such as these – will continue in Guam, including a fighter training detachment in October-November 2025.
Airspace constraints over Singapore necessitated the establishment of numerous overseas training detachments by the RSAF. The air force also operates the Peace Carvin II F-16C/D training detachment at Luke AFB in Arizona, and the Peace Vanguard AH-64D detachment in Marana, Arizona.
A new fighter training detachment at Ebbing Air National Guard Base at Fort Smith, Arkansas is also being set up to host Singapore’s future F-35 training unit. The F-16 detachment will also move to co-locate there. Singapore’s first F-35 will be delivered in 2026.
It remains to be seen what options Singapore is pursuing for its F-15SG detachment in light of this Guam cancellation.
by Roy Choo
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