143 Squadron was formed on 15 February 1974 in Changi Air Base. Operations first started on 1 April 1975 with 9 A-4Bs and 13 pilots. The squadron moved to Tengah Air Base on 26 Aug 1975. The year 1989 was a memorable year for the Squadron as it became the first squadron to receive the re-engined A-4SU Skyhawks. Later in the year, it won the Best Fighter Squadron. In the following year, 143 Squadron had to honour to form the Black Knights aerobatics display team which made its debut performance at the Asian Aerospace 1990. The squadron operated the A-4SUs until the squadron was deactivated momentarily in 1997.
Information
The squadron insignia is based on a mythical bird. A phoenix with only one of its kind, that after living five or six centuries in the Arabian Desert that rises from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle.
This is especially true for 143 Squadron as it was deactivated in 1997, after flying the A-4 Skyhawks since 1974, and then re-activated in 2000 to fly the newly acquired F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.
The tail is adorned with a yellow & black checkered tailband. The squadron's logo is centered with the serial number on the base of the tail.[1]
Motto
The motto of the squadron, "We Dare" aptly describes the people in the Squadron as they face any challenge with daring, courage and resilience, just like the Phoenix.
Achievements
The squadron won the Best Fighter Squadron in the following years: 1989, 1990, 2017 and 2020.[2][3]