Known as the “Salukis”, their expertise helped to keep shipshape older-generation aircraft – fighter jets like the F5-E Tiger and Tebuan CL-41G, trainers like the Bulldog B100 and Pilatus PC-7, transport aeroplanes like the Hercules C130 and DHC4 Caribou, VIP transport like the Hawker Siddeley HS125 and Fokker F28, and helicopters like the Bell 47G and Sikorsky S-61-A4 Nuri.
The highly skilled airmen and women were among 400-odd people specially selected to undergo technical training in the US from 1981 to 1984, at the height of the communist insurgency.
A one-year crash-course stint for each batch of about 100 saw them earning associate degrees in disciplines like aircraft powerplant technology, avionics, air radio, and airframe maintenance from Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale, about two hours’ drive from St Louis, Missouri.
Retired sergeant Kamarasan Perakaruppan, 65, recalled their elation at being among the chosen few from thousands of newly graduated recruits to attend SIU.
He said those who attended SIU were dubbed the “Salukis” in reference to the university’s mascot – an Egyptian greyhound hunting dog – colloquially reflecting the “Little Egypt” moniker of the southern Illinois region.
“We were in our early 20s and had completed basic technical training at facilities like the RMAF school in Kinrara.
“We were moulded into professionals at SIU with emphasis on equipping us with sound knowledge and skills in maintaining the RMAF fleet’s various aircraft.
“Many of us served the RMAF for a good many years, retiring as corporals, sergeants, staff sergeants and warrant officers.
“The grounding in the RMAF put us in good stead for greater success in our second careers in the corporate world upon retirement from military service,” said Kamarasan, the organising chairman at the Salukis SIU Reunion 2024 at the Vogue Club in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, on April 6.
It was the first reunion of its kind in 43 years and brought together former comrades from all over the country as well as overseas.
Kamarasan, an RMAF air radio specialist for 15 years, eventually ventured into general insurance and the pharmaceutical industry.
Retired warrant officer (WO) I Goh Teck Kheong, 64, served the RMAF for 21 years as an air radio specialist before moving on to work with Shell and, later, Japanese wastewater treatment company Kurita.
“We were a closely knit bunch and kept contact with each other over the years, helping our fellow comrades and their families become success stories.
“It has been a wonderful journey these four decades. We can never forget being part of the crew servicing the older generation of aircraft in those challenging years prior to the modernisation of the RMAF,” said Goh.
Retired WO I Daisy Alex Louis was another success story, having served with fellow female coursemates Tan Chew Voon and two others identified only as Surimah and the late Noresah.
She said Tan also retired as a WO I, while Surimah was later commissioned and retired as a captain.
“Apart from acquiring technical skills in air radio, the RMAF gave me an opportunity to become a credible athlete in sprints and jumps for the armed forces team,” said Daisy, who shares the same birthday as Goh – May 9, 1960.