Sembawang Air Base

453 Squadron RAAF, which also utilised Buffalo fighter aircraft, arrived in August 1941 and remained operational at this location until their deployment to Malaya in mid-December 1941.

The initial contingent of MONAB IX officially commissioned Royal Naval Air Station Sembawang as HMS Nabrock on 5 October 1945.

To ensure the provision of essential equipment and infrastructure for the operation of the station, MONAB IX was designated to establish its presence and commence naval aviation and support facilities in the area.

[3] Upon the arrival of the advance party tasked with assuming command of the airbase and facilitating its preparation for reopening, they discovered the station was intricately interwoven with a network of tunnels and foxholes, exhibiting a significant degree of disarray.

[4] Personnel and equipment for Mobile Naval Air Base IX had commenced assembly on 1 June 1945, at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS Flycatcher), Hampshire, UK.

[3] The personnel of MONAB IX reached Liverpool from HMS Flycather and boarded the troopship MV Dominion Monarch, which then set sail for Sydney, Australia, via the Suez Canal.

Three advance parties travelled by aircraft, while the remaining members of the unit, constituting the main body, were to journey by sea, embarking on the Australian troopship MV Largs Bay.

However, the United States was not inclined to reclaim the aircraft due to an existing surplus, and the UK lacked the financial resources to make payment.

Although the Mobile Naval Air Base (MONAB) effectively came to an end, the personnel remained the same, and efforts to construct airframes for disposal persisted.

1914 Air Observation Post Flight, which operated Auster AOP aircraft and was elevated to squadron status, reformed as No.

[13] Both fighter squadrons were actively engaged in operations in the Kuala Lumpur area, with detachments from Sembawang conducting strikes against Communist insurgents beginning in July 1948.

[11] Subsequently, preparations were made for the station's return to Royal Navy (RN) control, with the RAF's presence reduced to a 'care and maintenance' status on 15 September 1949.

[16] On 12 September 1950, 807 Naval Air Squadron disembarked from HMS Theseus, equipped with Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighter aircraft.

194 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, which was reconstituted at Sembawang from the Far East Casualty Evacuation Flight, which was disbanded that day.

[18] The subsequent arrival at RNAS Sembawang was 816 Squadron of the Royal Australian Navy, which disembarked on 2 November from HMAS Sydney.

Also on that date, 811 Naval Air Squadron disembarked once more from HMS Warrior as the vessel was required to aid with refugee rescue operations, from Vietnam.

[18] Subsequently, Fairey Gannet aircraft from 820 Naval Air Squadron, which had been stationed on the lead ship of her class, HMS Centaur, disembarked on 4 April and departed on 20.

Initial efforts to enhance the galleys and accommodation commenced in early 1959, and by January 1960, an advance contingent from 42 Commando had arrived at the station.

[25] On 13 March 1960, Westland Wessex HAS.1 anti-submarine helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron disembarked from the aircraft carrier HMS Albion.

848 Naval Air Squadron made a return for a week starting 22 October and was back at the airbase by early December, where it remained over Christmas 1960.

[27] On 31 December, the Westland Wessex HAS.1 anti-submarine helicopter equipped 814 Naval Air Squadron, disembarked from the Centaur-class aircraft carrier HMS Hermes to Sembawang.

[28] The essential modifications needed to support the Royal Marines were finalised by March 1961, leading to the relocation of the headquarters of 3 Commando Brigade to the station.

Meanwhile, 848 Naval Air Squadron disembarked from HMS Bulwark on 12 June, but their stay was brief, lasting only eight days, upon their return to Sembawang on 31 July, they remained ashore for a duration of four months.

Subsequently, 815 Naval Air Squadron arrived on 12 April, with its Westland Wessex HAS.1 helicopters disembarking from the Audacious-class aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, only to re-embark on 23.

656 Squadron AAC, which holds the distinction of being the station's longest-serving unit, was transferred to Kluang, Malaya, at the conclusion of August 1962.

820 Naval Air Squadron disembarked from the Audacious-class aircraft carrier, HMS Eagle with eight Westland Wessex HAS.1 anti-submarine warfare helicopters between January 14 and 26.

[35] Additionally in March, Westland Wessex HAS.31A, the Royal Australian Navy's anti-submarine warfare model, equipped 817 Squadron RAN, disembarked from HMAS Melbourne.

[36] A detachment from 848 Naval Air Squadron disembarked from HMS Albion on 28 April, which was now operating with the Westland Wessex HU.5 troop transporter helicopter.

[38] The completion of construction to accommodate a second Royal Marines unit, as part of the new Fleet Amphibious Forces Base for the Far East, occurred in March 1966, marking the introduction of 40 Commando.

Between 1971 and 1976, Sembawang served as a base for British, Australian, and New Zealand military forces, operating under the framework of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

Brewster Buffalo Mk I for the re-equipment of Nos. 21 and 453 Squadrons RAAF, being inspected by RAF personnel at Sembawang airfield, Singapore
MV Dominion Monarch
Vultee Vengeance, as used by 791 Naval Air Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk FR.XVIIIe SM845, in No. 28 Squadron RAF markings
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11
Westland Whirlwind helicopters of 848 Naval Air Squadron aboard the Royal Navy commando carrier HMS Bulwark , circa 1961
Westland Wessex of 848 Naval Air Squadron drop a troop of Royal Marines to establish a landing zone in the Borneo jungle.
Westland Sea King HAS.1 of 826 Naval Air Squadron