RAF Seletar & RAF Tengah Timeline: 

RAF Seletar:

From Empire Air Station to Singapore’s Aviation Future

RAF Seletar was more than just another Far East station. It began as a flagship base of the inter-war RAF, endured the shock of the Japanese attack on Singapore, supported regional security through the Cold War years, and finally changed hands at a moment that marked the end of Britain’s permanent military presence “East of Suez”.

For those who served there, and for their families, Seletar was not only an operational station — it was a community, a home, and a small but important part of a much bigger story.

1920s–1930s: A flagship Far East station

The decision to build an RAF station at Seletar came at a time when air power was rapidly transforming long-distance travel, communications and defence planning.

Operations began in 1928, and RAF Seletar was officially opened on 1 January 1930. At the time, it was one of the most important RAF stations in the Far East and a key link in Britain’s growing global air network.

In its early years, Seletar was closely associated with flying boats. The sheltered waters of the Johor Strait made it ideal for maritime aircraft that connected Singapore with distant parts of the Empire and beyond.

The station badge motto, authorised in March 1940 — “We watch all around” — perfectly captured Seletar’s role: vigilance over sea lanes, air approaches and a strategically vital region.

1941–1945: War reaches Singapore

On 8 December 1941, just hours after the wider campaign in Malaya began, Japanese aircraft carried out the first air raids on Singapore. RAF airfields, including Seletar, were among the targets.

For personnel on the station, the war was no longer a distant event — it had arrived without warning.

As the campaign turned against the defenders, the situation deteriorated rapidly. With Japanese forces advancing down the peninsula and artillery threatening the area, Seletar was eventually abandoned. After the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942, the airfield was taken over and used by Japanese forces throughout the occupation.

Post-war years: Stability and regional security

After the end of the war in 1945, Seletar returned to RAF control in a very different world.

During the late 1940s and 1950s, the station formed part of Britain’s wider Far East air presence during the Malayan Emergency. In the 1960s, it also supported the regional posture during the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation (Konfrontasi).

While aircraft types, units and specific roles changed over time, Seletar’s underlying purpose remained constant — operational readiness, technical support, and the ability to respond quickly across a wide region.

For many who served there, however, memories are as much about everyday life as operations: married quarters, schools, social clubs, sports, and the strong sense of community that developed among service families.

1968–1971: The end of an era

The late 1960s brought a major strategic change. In January 1968, the British Government announced plans to withdraw its permanent military presence from bases “East of Suez”.

At Seletar, RAF flying operations effectively ended in March 1969, although the station continued in a support and maintenance role for a further period.

In April 1970, administrative control of the airfield passed to Singapore’s Department of Civil Aviation.

The RAF station formally closed at the end of March 1971, when Seletar was handed over to Singapore.

The moment passed quietly, but its significance was considerable. It marked both the end of Britain’s long-standing Far East basing era and the beginning of a new chapter as Singapore developed its own modern aviation and defence capabilities.

Timeline – Key dates

• 1923 – Site provided for the development of a new RAF station at Seletar
• 1928 – RAF operations begin
• 1 January 1930 – RAF Seletar officially opened
• March 1940 – Station badge and motto “We watch all around” authorised
• 8 December 1941 – First Japanese air raids on Singapore; RAF airfields including Seletar attacked
• 15 February 1942 – Fall of Singapore; Seletar taken over by Japanese forces
• 1945 – Airfield returned to RAF control after the war
• 1948–1960 – Part of the wider RAF effort during the Malayan Emergency
• 1963–1966 – Regional support during Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation
• 28 March 1969 – RAF flying operations at Seletar effectively cease
• April 1970 – Administration transferred to Singapore’s Department of Civil Aviation
• 31 March 1971 – RAF Seletar formally closed and handed over

Seletar today

The airfield remains active as Seletar Airport, now part of Singapore’s aviation and aerospace sector.

For those who served there, however, Seletar will always be remembered for something more — a station that stood at the crossroads of Empire, war, Cold War stability, and a changing world.

RAF Tengah:

The RAF’s Main Fighter Base in Singapore

Alongside Seletar, RAF Tengah became the RAF’s principal fighter airfield in Singapore and one of the most important operational bases in the Far East.

Opened in 1939, Tengah was built inland to provide a more secure and better-protected airfield for fighter operations. Its role was to provide air defence for Singapore and the surrounding region at a time of growing tension in the Far East.

War and Occupation

During the Japanese attacks in December 1941, aircraft operating from Tengah were heavily involved in the defence of Singapore. Despite determined efforts by RAF and Allied aircrew, the speed and scale of the Japanese advance quickly overwhelmed the available forces.

After the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942, Tengah was taken over and used by Japanese air units throughout the occupation.

Post-war Operations

After liberation in 1945, Tengah was rebuilt and developed into the RAF’s main operational airfield in Singapore. During the late 1940s and 1950s, aircraft from the station played a major role in operations during the Malayan Emergency.

In the early 1960s, Tengah was again at the centre of activity during the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation (Konfrontasi). Throughout this period, the station hosted a succession of front-line jet aircraft, reflecting its importance as the RAF’s key fighter base in the region.

Handover

As part of Britain’s withdrawal from bases “East of Suez”, RAF operations at Tengah came to an end in 1971, when the base was handed over to the Singapore Armed Forces. Today it remains active as Tengah Air Base, continuing its long tradition as an operational military airfield.

For many Association members, Tengah is remembered not only for its operational importance but also for the strong sense of community and shared experience that existed alongside Seletar — two stations linked by service, friendship and lasting memories.