Captain Hazel Wong’s Flight to Fulfillment with the Singapore Armed Forces
Hidden in the heart of Sembawang, the air base hums with the energy of military personnel. Among them strides Captain Hazel Anne Wong of the 126 Squadron, moving through the corridors with a quiet confidence. At 29, Hazel is not just a pilot but a presence, greeting colleagues as she heads to the locker room, preparing for another day of service.
After securing her helmet, she makes her way to the hangar where a fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters awaits. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Merit Scholar has always known she wanted a career that would keep her on her toes. “I wanted something exciting, not desk-bound,” Hazel reflects, recalling her decision to pursue aviation after junior college.
Her passion for aviation was sparked by watching Triumph in the Skies, a Hong Kong drama about pilots. “That show was my first encounter with aviation,” she shares. “It got me hooked, and I wanted to do something similar.” Hazel attended a career talk by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and from there, her path was set.
A Calling in the Skies
For Hazel, National Day holds a special significance. Watching the iconic Chinook helicopters fly across Singapore’s skies, carrying the State Flag, is a defining moment for the RSAF. Hazel beams when she speaks about it. “NDP!” she exclaims, her excitement palpable.
She explains the intricacies of the flag operation, highlighting the massive size of the flag, which spans as large as a basketball court. It requires careful folding, preparation, and multiple people to ensure it flies properly, undisturbed by wind. Hazel recalls her experience working with the squadron to make this spectacle possible, and the profound sense of purpose she felt seeing the flag soaring high.
“It really feels like a whole kampung,” she says, referring to the close-knit community within her squadron. “We get together every day, and everyone depends on each other.”
Embracing the Role of a Woman in Aviation
As one of the few women in the RSAF, Hazel is keenly aware of the role she plays as a trailblazer. But she isn’t fazed by it. Despite standing out, she embraces her identity confidently, unapologetically feminine. Hazel’s callsign, “Valkyrie,” speaks to her sense of strength and courage. In Norse mythology, Valkyries were warrior women who guided fallen soldiers to Valhalla. Hazel aspires to embody that same spirit in her role as a pilot.
“I wanted a callsign that represents something I can fight for,” she says. “A female should be able to fly an aircraft just as well as a male. At the end of the day, it’s about skill, coordination, and how well you manage the mission.”
In the RSAF, Hazel feels she has been given equal opportunities and responsibilities. “We are entrusted with the same aircraft and the same responsibilities. The job is the same, regardless of gender,” she affirms.
The SAF has taken steps to support servicewomen, setting up an SAF Women Outreach Office to ensure a more inclusive and supportive environment for them. If women pilots decide to return to flying after becoming mothers, they are supported through refresher courses to help them transition back into the cockpit.
The Challenges of Flight
As a pilot, the responsibility for the lives of others weighs heavily on Hazel. “The challenge is to always be on top of your game,” she says. “You need to know exactly what to do in case something goes wrong.”
For Hazel, maintaining a clear mind is crucial to ensuring that every flight goes smoothly. “It’s not as simple as it sounds,” she admits, acknowledging the mental discipline required to perform under pressure.
Two things make her job so fulfilling: her aircraft and the people she works with. Hazel’s squadron feels like family, and to foster this camaraderie, she bought a snooker table for the team. “We’ve spent hours bonding over games,” she says with a smile.
Mission-Ready in the Skies
Hazel’s Chinook squadron plays a crucial role in missions like search and rescue, medical evacuations, and troop transport. They also provide humanitarian aid in disaster-stricken regions. In 2022, for example, two RSAF Chinooks flew to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia to assist with flood relief efforts.
A Day of Hard Work and Bonding
Hazel fondly recalls the large-scale operation, Exercise Wallaby, held in Australia last September. The planning was intense, but the execution made the hard work worthwhile. “It’s a huge scale we don’t have the opportunity to train on locally,” she explains.
The exercise cemented her pride in the squadron’s unity and purpose. “Making everything happen is far more complex than I thought,” she reflects, realizing just how much the people around her contribute to the RSAF’s success.
Hazel has come to understand the role she plays within the organization. “At first, I thought about the RSAF in terms of the fancy equipment and the air shows. Now, I think of it as the people—the team that makes it all happen.”
Living Her Dual Life
When Hazel isn’t in the cockpit, she’s just like anyone else—catching up on her favorite Netflix shows and chatting with friends. But when she’s flying high in the skies, Captain Hazel Anne Wong feels empowered to soar.
