The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) participants of the Singapore Airshow 2018 F-15 and F-16 aerial display segment roll in echelon as seen from a KC-135R boom operator station. © Roy Choo The two main fighter types of the RSAF roll in echelon as seen from a KC-135R boom operator station. © Roy Choo

In the lead-up to the the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s 50th anniversary celebrations this year and RSAF50@Singapore Airshow 2018, an air-to-air photo shoot was organised on the morning of 17 January from an RSAF KC-135R Stratotanker photoship with an F-15SG and two F-16Cs as the photography subjects.

The approximately two-hour session was flown over the South China Sea near the island of Pedra Branca, with the mixed F-15 and F-16 formation flying both alongside and behind the tanker where fabulous shots could be captured from the boom operator station. Apart from the smoke generation system and its associated centreline diesel tank on the pair of F-16s, the three stars of the morning were line aircraft drawn from the squadrons. The F-15SG bore markings of 149 'Shikra' Squadron while the F-16Cs had the markings of 140 'Osprey' and 143 'Phoenix' Squadrons. As the photoshoot was intended to highlight the trio's performance at the the airshow in February, the fighters did aerobatic splits as well as dispensed flares.

17 Jan 2018 - In the markings of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) 140 Squadron 'Ospreys', F-16C serial 620 flies alongside the photoship KC-135R. While the RSAF will commemorate its Golden Jubilee in 2018, its F-16C/D fleet will also mark its 20th year of operations in Singapore. © Roy Choo In the markings of RSAF 140 Squadron 'Ospreys', F-16C serial 620 flies alongside the photoship KC-135R. While the RSAF will commemorate its Golden Jubilee in 2018, its F-16C/D fleet will also mark its 20th year of operations in Singapore. © Roy Choo

The actual F-15 which will participate in the integrated aerial display with the F-16s during much of the Singapore Airshow will be substituted with one that will be in a unique RSAF50 scheme. More details at a later date.

For fans of the RSAF, a line-up of events have been organised throughout the year, from events in the Singapore heartlands to an aerial display at the Marina Barrage from 11-12 August. The celebrations will culminate in an RSAF50 parade at Tengah Airbase on 1 September — the anniversary of the RSAF. The A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), the first of six which will be delivered later this year, will make its inaugural public appearance at that event. Visit the RSAF50 page for more details of the events.

17 Jan 2018 - Cleanly configured Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SG tail no. 8321 goes wingtip-to-wingtip with the Stratotanker photo-ship before peeling off to rejoin it’s formation. © Roy Choo Cleanly configured RSAF F-15SG tail no. 8321 goes wingtip-to-wingtip with the Stratotanker photo-ship before peeling off to rejoin it’s formation. © Roy Choo

Jet Thrust Aviation Images would like to thank MINDEF Communications Organisation and the RSAF Air Force Information Centre for the opportunity.