Video of breakdancing RSAF marshaller launching fighter jet goes viral

A video featuring a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) marshaller pulling off a series of slick breakdancing moves including a windmill, cartwheel and backflip - all as he points an airplane into flight - has gone viral. -- PHOTO: REPUBLIC OF SIN
A video featuring a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) marshaller pulling off a series of slick breakdancing moves including a windmill, cartwheel and backflip - all as he points an airplane into flight - has gone viral. -- PHOTO: REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AIR FORCE/FACEBOOK

SINGAPORE - A video featuring a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) marshaller pulling off a series of slick breakdancing moves including a windmill, cartwheel and backflip - all as he points an airplane into flight - has gone viral.

The 51-second clip has been shared about 1,000 times on Facebook and now also features on the RSAF's Facebook page where it has been 'liked' more than 400 times.

Air Force engineer ME1 Tan Wen Kai was filmed launching the F-15SG fighter jet as part of the Air Force's planned exercise segment during Exercise Pitch Black last month in Darwin, Australia.

In its post, the RSAF describes it as "creative marshalling", a tradition for fighter squadrons which have been scheduled for long exercises. This helps to boost morale of both the air and ground crew.

The RSAF added that "due planning and supervision are given to ensure that the creative marshalling is operationally safe".

Marshalling is the visual communication between ground crew and pilots to guide an aircraft to the correct parking position or to launch it into flight.

In the video, another member of the ground crew, ME1 Phua Zheng Jie, said that such interaction helps make such exercises more enjoyable and fun.

He said: "I do marshalling on a day-to-day basis, so creative marshalling actually brings colour to an otherwise routine task... creative marshalling helps to ease the tension between the squadrons."

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.