144 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force

The 144 Squadron "Blackite" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force is a fighter-bomber squadron based at Paya Lebar Air Base, the squadron goes by the motto "Dare To Excel" with the Black Kite adopted as its mascot.

History

144 Squadron was formed in 1979 as one of the RSAF's fighter squadrons operating in the interceptor role. The squadron initially operated the supersonic F-5E/F Tiger II fighter aircraft, but has been operating the locally modified & improved F-5S/T Tiger-IIs fighter aircraft since the early 1990s, these were retrofitted with new state-of-the-art avionics giving the aircraft capability of carrying out both Air-to Air and Air-to-Ground missions.

Achievements

The squadron clinch the coveted Best Fighter Squadron award (Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition) in 2005, it last won the title in 1995.

Aircraft operated

1. 15 F-5S & 7 F-5T Tiger-IIs (1979 - present)

References

External links

• RSAF web page on 144 Sqn & Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB)