Singapore sensation

Sergeant Matt Cribbes in front of an Apache helicopter, one of the many aircraft involved in Asian Aerospace 2004.

Flight Lieutenant Adam Nickson, second from left, and Pilot Officer Mikolaj Romanoski, far right, join two US KC135 tanker pilots in watching the aerial action.

Sergeant Dave Perry does preflight checks on an F-111.

A Mirage puts on a display at the air show.

An F-111 does a dump and burn at Asian Aerospace 2004.

Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong meets SQNLDR Theo Schneider.

Corporal Brett Manley, Sergeant David Durrington and Corporal Dennis Gray in the middle of a fuel pump change.

An F15 powers through a vertical climb.

THREE F-111s from No. 1 Squadron drew considerable interest when they joined aircraft from around the world at Asian Aerospace 2004 at Singapore’s Changi International Airport from February 24-29.

Led by 1SQN XO Squadron Leader Theo Schneider, the threeship stick formed a display aircraft, a static display aircraft and the third as reserve.

SQNLDR Schneider said the team of 35 personnel from Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons enjoyed the visit.

“The Singaporeans were gracious hosts and made us very welcome,” he said. “They closed Changi airport for 90 minutes each day for the flying displays – can you imagine Sydney doing that?”

Teams from India, France and the US also flew, but the F-111s’ dump and burn passes drew a lot of applause.

“Most of them had never seen a dump and burn before,” SQNLDR Schneider said. The team on the ground was kept busy as well, particularly on February 28-29 when the show was opened to the general public.

On completion of the event, which is held every two years, the group conducted fl ying operations with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, whom SQNLDR Schneider described as “very professional”.

The group returned to RAAF Base Amberley on March 6.

“We enjoyed the opportunity to mix with the Singaporeans and the others,” SQNLDR Schneider said.

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