With Britain withdrawing all its forces from Singapore and region by 1971 Singapore had to develop its own air force. One unit that eventually formed was the 144th Squadron "Blackite" on February 19, 1979. The Blackite is a mysterious bird that is unpredictable, precise and deadly. The 144th was equipped with Northrop F-5E/F and later upgraded to F-5S/T carrying Aim-120 AMRAAM. The 144th Squadron was disbanded in September 2015 so F-5T 853 was given an elaborate paint scheme to mark the occasion.

Info: F-5S Tiger II RSAF 144th Sqn Blackite, #819, Paya Lebar AB, Singapore, 2016