126 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = RSAF 126 Squadron
| image = 126Sqn shoulder patch.jpg
| image_size = 200
| role = Transport, Search and rescue
| equipment = CH-47SD Chinooks/CH-47F
| garrison = Sembawang Air Base
| motto = "Ready and Able"
| dates = 1996 – Present
| identification_symbol = Cougar
| battle_honours =
}}
The 126 Squadron "Cougar" is a helicopter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Its motto is "Ready and Able", with the Cougar adopted as the squadron's motif.
Unit history
Formed initially on 16 September 1992 at Sembawang Air Base, the 126 Squadron consisted of fourteen newly purchased Aérospatiale AS532UL Cougar medium lift helicopters, which were an upgraded version of the Super Puma helicopters then used by its sister squadron – 125 SQN. The squadron is based at Oakey Airbase, supporting the SAF's training need in Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1999/aug/20aug99_nr.html |title=Opening Ceremony of the RSAF Helicopter Detachment in Oakey, Australia |publisher=MINDEF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806184243/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1999/aug/20aug99_nr.html |archive-date=2013-08-06 }}
After the CH-47F attained full operational capability for the RSAF,{{Cite web |last=Yeo |first=Mike |date= |title=RSAF’s new Boeing and Airbus helicopters attain full operational capability |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/rsaf-s-new-boeing-and-airbus-helicopters-attain-full-operational-capability-status |url-status=live |access-date= |website=The Straits Times}} the squadron transitioned to a mix of CH-47SDs and CH-47Fs.{{Cite web |title=Singapore’s helicopter defensive systems on show - Australian Defence Magazine |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/singapore-s-helicopter-defensive-systems-on-show |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.australiandefence.com.au |language=en}}
Aircraft operated
- 14× AS532UL Cougars (1996–2023)
- ??x CH-47SD Chinooks (2023–present)
- ??x CH-47F Chinooks (2023–present)
Photo gallery
File:RSAF Aerospatiale AS-332M1 Super Puma Vabre.jpg|126 Sqn's AS532UL Cougar at Avalon Airport, 2009.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/air_force/assets/airbases_and_squadrons/Sembawang_Air_Base.html RSAF web page on 126 Sqn & Sembawang Air Base(SBAB)]
{{Singapore Armed Forces}}
Category:Squadrons of the Republic of Singapore Air Force
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