A slice of Singapore has landed at an air force base in the French coastal town of Cazaux.
Some 350 Air Force personnel and their families are based there, with 18 Super Skyhawk aircraft, as part of a defence agreement between the two countries.
Cazaux, located close to the Bordeaux region, is noted for its fine weather.
Said Lieutenant-Colonel Tan Boon Poo, 40, the detachment commander: "Besides training, we are also here to enjoy the way of life and the culture."
French air force officials said a major effort was made to welcom them.
The RSAF contingent did some homework.
But they were still surprised each time they came upon a road sign that read "carrefour", French for junction, which is also the name of the French supermarket chain.
"We couldn't understand why they had so many supermarkets," said Major Koh Toh Yong, 32, an engineer.
Makor Jean-Francois Hummel, acting as liasion officer, said: "There have been no major problems and we have adapted step by step. We're both learning from each other."
(taken from The Straits Times, 15/6/99)