Singapore, US shelve plans to base RSAF F-15SG fighter jets in Guam

The plan to base RSAF F-15SG fighter jets and associated mission support in Guam was announced in 2023, building upon a memorandum of understanding signed in 2019 by MINDEF and the DoD.

The agreement laid out the framework for the Guam detachment, which would have allowed RSAF to quickly redeploy and recall assets back to Singapore when required.

It would have been the fourth RSAF detachment on US soil and the closest one to Singapore.

However, the US Department of the Air Force (DAF) said last month it would cancel the plan following environmental impact studies.

“The DAF will not implement or carry forward the bed down of up to 12 RSAF F-15 aircraft” at Andersen Air Force Base, read a record of decision document signed by Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Michael Saunders on Jul 16.

The document, which assessed the environmental impact of constructing new infrastructure at the base, said the DAF has considered the potential consequences of the plan and the alternatives.

“The DAF also considered factors related to national defence, including mission support, infrastructure, weather, capacity, environmental criteria, cost, and military plans,” it added.

The US DAF will also not go ahead with the construction of munition storage facilities.

“The DAF has adopted all practicable means to avoid or minimise environmental harm,” the document read.

The Singapore Armed Forces has trained in Guam since the 1990s. The RSAF has previously deployed fighter aircraft to Andersen Air Force Base for training with the US Pacific Air Force.