Breakdancing RSAF ground crew was performing creative aircraft marshalling

A video of an aircraft marshaller from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) performing some breakdance moves on the tarmac in Australia has gone viral.

Air Force engineer ME1 Tan Wen Kai was actually directing an F-15SG fighter aircraft for take-off.

Instead of the rigid hand signals usually carried out in standard aircraft marshalling, he performed a series of breakdancing moves that included a backflip, windmill and cartwheel, before ending off with a smart salute.

The video posted on the RSAF Facebook page has gotten over 1,000 'likes' at our last check and has been shared many times over on other websites including AsiaOne.

Aircraft marshalling, according to Wikipedia, is the visual signalling between ground personnel and pilots on an airport, aircraft carrier or helipad.  Marshalling is one-on-one visual communication and a part of aircraft ground handling. 

Creative marshalling on the otherhand is a tradition for many fighter squadrons and is deliberately scheduled into long exercises and during competitions to boost the morale of both the air and ground crew. Due planning and supervision are given to ensure that the creative marshalling is operationally safe, according to the RSAF.

149 Squadron's ME1 Tan Wen Kai executed his creative marshalling moves as part of a planned exercise segment during the recent Exercise Pitch Black held in Darwin, Australia.

Here is what the RSAF said:

You would have probably seen this making its rounds on the internet, but it was not done on a whim! This is called creative marshalling. Marshalling is the visual communication between ground crew and pilot to launch the aircraft or to guide it to the correct parking position.

ME1 Tan Wen Kai executed his creative marshalling moves with one of our F-15SG, as part of a planned exercise segment during the recent Exercise Pitch Black held in Darwin, Australia. Creative marshalling is a tradition for many fighter squadrons and is deliberately scheduled into long exercises and during competitions to boost the morale of both the air and ground crew. Due planning and supervision are given to ensure that the creative marshalling is operationally safe. Play the video to check out what creative marshalling means to our flight line crew during our earlier Command competition Hot Shot!

And we agree that ME1 Tan's break-dance marshalling moves are pretty cool and creative! Like The Republic of Singapore Air Force Facebook page if you agree too!