US scraps plan to base Singapore F-15s on Guam

A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SG taxies at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in May 2021. The RSAF has been deploying fighter aircraft to Guam for rotational training since 2017. (US Air Force/Senior Airman Michael S Murphy)

A plan to deploy Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing F-15SG fighter aircraft on a long-term basis at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) on Guam has been cancelled, the US Department of the Air Force (DAF) has announced in a record of decision.

The decision quashes a proposal framed by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the US and Singapore in late 2019 to base RSAF F-15SG aircraft in Guam for training. The MOU envisaged the accommodation of a “permanent RSAF fighter training detachment”, as well as support staff and dependants at the airbase, according to the US Air Force (USAF).

However, in a 16 July decision, the DAF said it “will not implement or carry forward the beddown of up to 12 RSAF F-15 aircraft nor associated aircraft airfield operations to include temporary support aircraft, and RSAF personnel or their families, and no periodic temporary increases in associated support personnel will be required at Andersen AFB”.

The record of decision does not explain the decision. However, some aspects of the proposed construction activities will proceed, the decision added.

On 12 August, Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said it had agreed with the US Department of Defense (DoD) “to discontinue discussions on an RSAF fighter training detachment in Guam”, following a “review of the RSAF's training needs”.