Singaporean tops cohort in US Air Force Academy, first in nearly 30 years
Lieutenant Jonathan Loh, 25, has become the first Singaporean in nearly 30 years to graduate top of his cohort at the prestigious United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).
At his graduation ceremony in Colorado on May 30, LTA Loh – the only Singaporean in his year – waved the Singapore flag with pride after receiving 10 awards. The last time a Singaporean topped the USAFA programme was in 1995.
The four-year USAFA programme receives 12,000 applications every year but accepts only 1,100 to 1,200 students. Of these, only 15 are international cadets.
Only two Singaporeans have ever been top graduates of the course. The other was Colonel (Retired) Low Chung Guan.
Graduating international cadets are typically honoured at the USAFA’s graduation ceremony, where they get the chance to fly their country’s flag.
Speaking to reporters on June 7, LTA Loh recalled how he felt “proud, thankful, honoured and humbled” when he flew the Singapore flag. “It wasn’t about me at that moment but the people behind me.”