Super Puma helicopter showcases search and rescue abilities at RSAF golden jubilee exhibition

SINGAPORE - The open field beside Sembawang MRT station on Saturday (March 31) saw a Super Puma take off and land there for the first time.

Medical officers were also seen carrying a "casualty" on a stretcher to the helicopter under its whirring blades.

The action was a simulation by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) 125 Squadron and 1 Medical Squadron personnel.

The display of the helicopter's search and rescue capabilities was part of the RSAF's golden jubilee celebrations in Sembawang.

More than 30,000 people are expected at the open field beside Sembawang MRT station over the weekend.

Team leader for the demonstration, Major Roy Chew, said: "We hope that through this demonstration, exhibits and interactive activities, Singaporeans can better appreciate the operational readiness of the RSAF to defend Singapore's skies."

The RSAF first commissioned the Super Puma in 1985.

Last August, Super Pumas flew on search and rescue operations for the USS John S. McCain warship collision in Singapore waters. The helicopters evacuated injured American sailors to the Singapore General Hospital after the vessel collided with a commercial oil tanker, killing 10 people.

At the exhibition on Saturday, visitors could also try out an S-70B naval helicopter simulator and tour various static and interactive aircraft displays.

More RSAF50 celebratory events lined up include a fly-past over Marina Barrage during the National Day weekend in August.

The events will culminate in the RSAF50 Parade on Sept 1, to be attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The RSAF50 exhibition will next make a landing in Punggol from April 14 to 15, Bedok from May 12 to 13 and Jurong East from May 26 to 27.

Each two-day exhibition will be held from 10am to 9pm.