Paya Lebar Air Base

The Paya Lebar Air Base (IATA: QPG, ICAO: WSAP) is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and United States Air Force in Singapore located at Airport Road in Paya Lebar, in the eastern region of Singapore. The airbase goes by the motto of Strength Through Readiness.

"Singapore International Airport" redirects here. For the currently used commercial airport in Singapore, see Singapore Changi Airport.

Paya Lebar Airbase
Lapangan Terbang Paya Lebar

巴耶利峇空軍基地

பாயா லெபார் விமான தளம்
Paya Lebar, Singapore in Singapore
The control tower and terminal building in 1971
Paya Lebar Airbase is located in Singapore
Paya Lebar Airbase
Paya Lebar Airbase
Location in Singapore
Coordinates01°21′37″N 103°54′34″E
TypeMilitary airbase
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRepublic of Singapore Air Force
United States Air Force
Controlled byRepublic of Singapore Air Force
United States Air Force
ConditionOperational
Site history
Built1954 (1954) (as Singapore International Airport)
In use1954 – present
FateDecommissioned by 2030s
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: QPG, ICAO: WSAP
Runways
Direction Length and surface
02/20 3,780 metres (12,402 ft) Asphalt
Source: DAFIF[1][2]

It was originally built in 1954 as Singapore International Airport to replace Kallang Airport; control of the airport was transferred to RSAF in 1980 when it was renamed Paya Lebar Air Base, following the relocation of the civilian airport to Changi.

Under the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)'s Master Plan, Paya Lebar Air Base is scheduled to be decommissioned by around 2030 to make way for residential and commercial developments as a new town, with the RSAF relocating to other airbases throughout the country such as at Changi and Tengah, which will be expanded throughout the 2020s.[3][4]

History

The airport was built from 1952 to 1955, and opened on 20 August that year by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Alan Lennox-Boyd.[5] The architect for the project was J. J. Bryan, a public works engineer with experience constructing airports in other parts of Asia.[6]

It was one of the two hubs for Malayan Airways at this time, and the airline had its first flight outside Southeast Asia in 1958, using a DC-4 plane leased from Qantas, flying to Hong Kong. Turboprops were introduced over the next few years, and the name was changed to Malaysian Airways.

In 1962, a joint RAF/Singapore civil Air Traffic Control service was formed to provide Military cover for Air Defence. During that time Britannia aircraft of British Eagle provided transport for the British military. Comet 4C's were common traffic and the new VC10 arrived reducing flight time, rather than the 24hrs-with stops- of the Britannia.

In 1966, the company focused more on Singapore, buying Boeing 707s, headquartering itself in that country, and renaming itself Malaysia-Singapore Airlines – with a notable fluorescent yellow livery. Its primary hub became Paya Lebar, and services began to reach out further into North Asia.

From 1979 to 1980, British Airways, in conjunction with Singapore Airlines, began supersonic Concorde services from London's Heathrow Airport, to Paya Lebar Singapore.

Malaysia-Singapore Airlines was dissolved in 1972, with the airline splitting into two; Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines were formed – the latter keeping all the 707s; and Singapore Airlines remaining at Paya Lebar. Passenger numbers rose from 1.7 million to 4 million between 1970 and 1975. The airport was constrained by housing estates and although some work was done to keep it operational in the meantime, construction began on the new airport in 1975 and opened in 1981. Paya Lebar then closed to civil traffic, the IATA airport code of SIN and the ICAO airport code of WSSS were transferred to the newly opened civilian airport in Changi.

Conversion to military use

Singapore International Airport began to be gradually converted into a military air-force base from late 1967 onwards. During that year, an Air Movement Centre was constructed to handle passengers and cargo arriving on Republic of Singapore Air Force, and Ministry of Defence charter flights and foreign military aircraft. The original terminal building (painted green), maintenance hangar and control tower are retained. Access to terminal and hangars are off-limits closed off by a wired fence. It became a complete military airbase in 1981 when Singapore Changi Airport was opened and was subsequently renamed as Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) in the same year.

Paya Lebar Air Base

The air base currently houses aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules[7] and two squadrons of F-15SG Strike Eagles.

The flying squadrons are:

The support squadrons are:

  • Air Logistics Squadron (ALS)
  • Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS)
  • Field Defence Squadron (FDS)
  • Flying Support Squadron (FSS)

Former squadrons based here are:

Use by the United States Air Force

Under Singapore's permission, the Paya Lebar Airbase is also used by various flying units of United States Air Force and United States Navy (including United States Marine Corps Aviation) as a strategic refuelling stopover and staging post/transit point; the base is also used permanently by the 497th Combat Training Squadron for other flight operations since 31 October 1991.[9]

Paya Lebar Air Base also plays host to USAF VIP aircraft as well, with regular visits by Air Force One, such as during President George W. Bush's two visits to Singapore in October 2003[10] and November 2006.[11]

Air Force Two carrying Vice-President Dick Cheney also made a refuelling stop and underwent minor repairs en route from Australia in 2007.[12]

The USAF Boeing 747-200 E-4B regularly lands at the base when the U.S. Secretary of Defense visits Singapore, as does the Boeing 757 C-32A that carries the Secretary of State.

On 14 November 2009, Air Force One carrying President Barack Obama landed at Paya Lebar Air Base to attend the APEC Singapore 2009 Summit.[13]

On 10 June 2018, President Donald Trump landed at the airbase in the Boeing VC-25A for the 2018 North Korea–United States summit. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un landed at Changi Airport instead, on a chartered Air China Boeing 747.

On 22 August 2021, Air Force Two carrying Vice-President Kamala Harris arrived at the airbase for an official visit.[14]

2018 North Korea–United States summit
U.S. President Donald Trump arriving at Paya Lebar Air Base on Air Force One for the 2018 North Korea–United States summit

PLAB was chosen to host Air Force One for the 12 June 2018 North Korea–United States summit between President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un.[15][16][17] Although early media reports speculated that Kim's Ilyushin Il-62 would land at PLAB, his plane landed at Singapore Changi Airport instead.[18]

On 6 June 2018, Singapore's aviation authorities announced temporary airspace restrictions that were put in place for parts of 11–13 June. Aircraft arriving at Singapore Changi Airport were required to reduce speed with some restrictions on runway use. Aviators were also informed to keep a distance from Paya Lebar Air Base.[19][20] After the summit, Trump and Air Force One left Singapore via PLAB at 6:30 pm Singapore Time.[21]

Decommissioning

The airbase is expected to be decommissioned from 2030.[22] Throughout the 2020s, expansion works are currently ongoing at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base to prepare for the eventual relocation of RSAF's assets after the closure of the airbase.[23]

With the closure of the airbase, height restrictions imposed at Singapore's central business district (CBD) which limits buildings to a maximum height of 280 meters unless special permissions are granted will be lifted, and the airbase's area will be redeveloped into a new town with residential housing projects, offices, factories, and parks.[24][25] Parts of the old airbase (e.g. runway) will also be integrated to this new town to conserve its heritage, with parks and museums.[26]

Legacy

Being Singapore's first major international airport, the old passenger terminal building and control tower still stands, though they now house air force units and are off-limits to the public. Nevertheless, much of the interior still remains intact and is almost completely preserved from the time it was first built.[27] The road which used to lead to the old passenger terminal is also still known as Airport Road.

Air Force Museum
The RSAF Museum

The RSAF maintains the Air Force Museum, which is open to the public and showcases the air force's history and capabilities. The museum is located at 400 Airport Road, Singapore 534234 beside the airbase. It went through an upgrade and update of the exhibits in 2015.

See also

References
  1. "Airport information for WSAP". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Data current as of October 2006. Source: DAFIF.
  2. Airport information for QPG at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  3. "Singapore 2030: How the Lion City will transform in the next decade". The Straits Times. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  4. Lim, Kimberly (6 June 2022). "Plans for Paya Lebar Air Base to be 'new generation town', Springleaf estate to retain rich biodiversity". TODAY. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. "The Door to Singapore". The Straits Times. 21 August 1955. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  6. Kraal, Ivor (14 August 1955). "Singapore's Great Day". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  7. Leong, Wai Kit. "Two C-130 aircraft from Singapore scour seas for QZ8501". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  8. "Inauguration of the RSAF's First Local F-15SG Squadron". MINDEF press release. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  9. "497th Combat Training Squadron (497th CTS)". United States Embassy to Singapore. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  10. "Bush greeted by 'quiet reception' in Singapore – ASEAN/East Asia | The Star Online". The Star. Malaysia. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  11. "President George W. Bush looks on as Laura Bush is greeted by Patricia L. Herbold, U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, upon their arrival at Paya Lebar Airport Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, for a two-day visit. White House photo by Eric Draper". georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  12. Bohan, Caren (25 February 2007). "Cheney plane leaves Singapore after minor repairs". Reuters. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  13. "Obama in Singapore for economic summit". Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  14. joanchew (22 August 2021). "US Vice-President Kamala Harris arrives in Singapore". The Straits Times. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  15. "Trump may leave G-7 early for Singapore amid trade dispute". The Straits Times. 9 June 2018.
  16. "Trump to land in Singapore on Sunday night, ahead of historic summit with Kim Jong-un". TODAYonline. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  17. "Donald Trump to meet Kim Jong Un in Singapore: What you need to know about the historic summit". The Straits Times. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  18. "North Korea's Kim Jong Un expected to land at Changi Airport on Sunday: Source". The Straits Times. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  19. Kaur, Karamjit (6 June 2018). "Restrictions on flights into Singapore during Trump-Kim summit: ICAO". The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  20. Kim, Jack (7 June 2018). "Singapore to restrict airspace during U.S.-North Korea summit". Reuters. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  21. Kaur, Karamjit (12 June 2018). "North Korean leader Kim Jong Un set to leave Singapore on Tuesday night". The Straits Times. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  22. "Parliament: Paya Lebar Airbase relocation will be completed from 2030". AsiaOne. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  23. "5 things to know about the expansion of Tengah Air Base". 18 July 2017.
  24. Discover Singapore: The City's History & Culture Redefined By Susan Tsang, Edward Hendricks; ISBN 981-261-365-X, 9789812613653
  25. A different Paya Lebar, with air base gone
  26. Liew, Isabelle (6 June 2022). "Fancy a jog down the runway? Plans for Paya Lebar Air Base may see runway kept as part of new town | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  27. Daven Wu (6 May 2009). "Paya Lebar Airport, Singapore". IPC Media's Wallpaper*. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
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External images
image icon Overflight photo 1 of Paya Lebar Airport, 1962
image icon Overflight photo 2 of Paya Lebar Airport, 1962
image icon Overflight photo 3 of Paya Lebar Airport, 1962
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