120 Squadron , Republic of Singapore Air Force The 120 Squadron " Kestrel " ( also known as the " Red Hawks " ) is a helicopter squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force based at Sembawang Air Base . First formed in 1969 , it is the first and oldest RSAF operational squadron in service . The squadron goes by the motto of " " Strive To Achieve " " . Since 2006 , it operates the AH - 64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter and has participated in Singapore ' s National Day Parade together with 127 Squadron CH - 47SD Chinook for the traditional National Flag Fly Pass . Roles and Missions . The AH - 64D Apache Longbow s of the squadron , armed with its varied payload of AGM - 114 Hellfire missiles , Hydra 70 rockets and a single 30 mm M230 Chain Gun , can be called upon in support of the SAF in any operations that requires it . Provisions has also been made to integrate the helicopters into the SAF ' s Integrated Knowledge - based Command and Control network , a concept similar to the United States Department of Defense ' s network - centric warfare doctrine . This locally developed Combat Management System integrates all the sensors and weapon systems on board , increases battlespace awareness and allows little time for the enemy to react due to the short sensor - to - shooter loops as it effectively shares information between its army and navy counterparts . Unit History . When the British decided in 1967 to withdraw their forces from the Far East , Singapore saw the need to build up its own armed forces . The Singapore Air Defence Command ( SADC ) was formed as part of the initial set - up . The Alouette Squadron , established in September 1969 , thus lay the foundation for RSAF ' s helicopter force . Alouette Squadron . The Alouette Squadron was initially based at the Seletar Airfield , occupying the Lockheed ( now ST Aerospace ) hangar . In January 1971 , the Squadron became the first SADC unit to be deployed overseas when four of her aircraft participated in the Kuantan flood relief operation in Malaysia . Shortly thereafter , the Alouette Squadron gained operational status becoming the first operational unit in the SADC . Relocated to Changi Air Base shortly after New Year ' s Day 1972 , the Squadron ' s main roles included search - and - rescue , air recce , internal security , rappelling , trooplift and logistics support . New Designation . On 16 December 1973 , the squadron ' s designation was changed to 120 Squadron ( 120 SQN ) . The squadron continued to operate the Alouette III s until 1977 , when the aircraft were no longer able to meet the SAF ' s growing needs . In 1977 , four Bell 212 s and sixteen UH - 1H s were acquired , and the helicopters joined the squadron in February and August respectively . 120 SQN initiated the RSAF ' s first permanent overseas detachment in September 1978 , when three UH - 1Hs were deployed to Brunei for the first time . Their role was primarily to support the SAF ' s jungle training conducted there . Tasked with the duty of airborne Search and rescue around Singapore and parts of South China Sea , the Bell 212s operated from 1977 to 1985 when Super Puma helicopters of the 125 Squadron took over the duty . In 1983 , the squadron relocated for the last time and settled down at Sembawang Air Base as the helicopters had vacated Changi and settled in Kangaw Camp . Kangaw was then used as an artillery base , although it was previously a British airfield - RAF Sembawang or better known as HMS Simbang . When the Singapore Artillery shifted to Khatib Camp in 1983 , Kangaw Camp was handed over to the RSAF and renamed as Sembawang Air Base ( SBAB ) . Since then , SBAB became the focal point of helicopter operations and one of the five formations in the RSAF . Notable Deployments . In the 1980s , three dramatic events thrust 120 SQN into the headlines . In October 1980 , the squadron starred in a high - rise rescue drama at the unfinished Raffles Tower in Battery Road . A Bell 212 was sent to rescue a crane operator from the roof of the building after a fire on the 18th floor had trapped him . Then , in January 1983 , three people had to be winched to safety from the Singapore Cable Car by a Bell 212 after a drill - ship accidentally ploughed into and severed the cables off the waters of World Trade Centre , Singapore . The third occasion was the Hotel New World disaster in March 1986 . After the hotel collapsed , 120 SQN deployed three UH - 1Hs to the disaster site to provide round - the - clock casualty evacuation . Other Recognitions . As recent as October 2002 , 120 SQN deployed a detachment of four UH - 1H to East Timor in support of the UN peace keeping mission there . Also amongst its achievements , the 120 SQN won several ASEAN Helicopter championships ; and has been winning the best tactical support SQN for the years 88 / 89 , 91 / 92 , 94 / 95 , 95 / 96 and 99 / 00 .