The usually quiet, solemn roads of Lim Chu Kang roared to deafening decibels yesterday morning as the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) conducted their Exercise Torrent.
Where motorists would usually drive to the cemeteries, farms and temples, the 2.5km stretch of Lim Chu Kang Road transformed into a temporary aircraft runway, where 12 multi-million dollar fighter jets took off and landed, surrounded by serene greenery.
According to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, ’twas a pretty hard job to convert the public road into a legit runway for fighter jets. Street lamps, railings and bus stops along the road had to be dismantled and removed within 48 hours.
“To get this done, 110 RSAF airman and women converted the 2.5km and just 24m wide Lim Chu Kang Road into a runway. And included a mobile air traffic control tower, runway lights, distance markers and arrestor gear for fighter planes to hook and stop in time. Easy to say but hard to do.”
Watch the action unfold below in a short film by airshow documentarians This is Flight.
