Here in Singapore, if you see a couple of fighter planes whizzing around frenetically in the sky, you’d assume they were just carrying out some drills.
Since the country is spared from natural disasters and doesn’t engage in brinksmanship, residents here feel blanketed by a thick quilt of safety.
While we’ve been relatively safe since our independence, it’s vital that we ensure we are ready to face any potential security threats in the future.
And one such threat was identified yesterday.
RSAF Fighter Planes That Were Scrambled Have Stood Down After Investigations Show There’s No Threat to Security
Yesterday morning (13 Feb), fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to what was described as a “potential air threat” by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
The RSAF detailed the move in a post on Facebook.
“Some of you might have heard us flying this morning. Our fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to a potential air threat.”
Yesterday, the RSAF scrambled its F-15SG fighter aircraft at approximately 11.20am in response to a suspicious aircraft.
“Our airmen and women responded immediately and the aircraft took off within minutes,” it said.
Fortunately, after further inspecting the “suspicious aircraft”, it determined it was no threat to the country’s security.
“After investigating and ensuring that our security is not compromised, our aircraft subsequently stood down.”
In an updated post, the RSAF said it responds to and investigates more than 350 suspicious air threats on any given year in order to protect Singapore’s skies.
It thanked its crew for keeping our skies safe.
“Our airmen and women stand ready to defend our skies 24/7, so that we can celebrate the festivities and enjoy the holidays with our loved ones,” it said.
“A big thank you to our crew who are ever ready to defend our skies. Salute!”
What is Scrambling?
It’s nice to know that Singapore’s skies are safe, but what exactly did these fighter planes do?
While scrambling sounds like panicking pilots whizzing around aimlessly in the sky, it’s actually a military term with origins dating back to the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Simply put, scrambling is the act of quickly mobilising military aircraft. Scrambling can be in reaction to an immediate threat, usually to intercept hostile aircraft.
Other Such Incidents
In 2018, RSAF fighter jets were scrambled to escort a Scoot flight bound for Hat Yai in Thailand back to Singapore.
Why?
Because one passenger made a joke about a bomb.
Displeased when he was told he had to check in his carry-on bag, the man joked there was a bomb in it when the plane took off.
This joke, of course, wasn’t exactly funny.
The plane made a U-turn and RSAF fighter jets were scrambled to escort it back. The man was later fined $4,500 for breaching the Protection from Harassment Act by using threatening words to cause alarm.
Featured Image: VDWimages / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)
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