Download Issue 121

40 Pages·2012·4.5 MB·English

Republic of Singapore
FFUULLLL SSPPEEECCCTTTRRUUMMM ... IIINNNNTTTTEEEEGGGGRRRRAAAATTEEDDD .. RRRREEEEAAAADDDDYYYY Issue No. 121
2012
SINGAPOREAIRSHOW
OTHER FEATURES:EX COPE TIGER COMMAND-LEVEL EXERCISES
000 Cover AFN121.indd 1 6/4/12 3:53 PM
FULL SPECTRUM .INTEGRATED . READY
AFN Management Committee

Chairman
COL Chee Wai Mun
Members
LTC Teo Ping Siong
LTC Dalbir Singh
LTC Humphrey Chin
LTC Dick Lau
MAJ Edwin Lim
Mr Goh Nai Teng
26
Ms Heng Ai Buay
Ms Lily Liew

Editors
SLTC Alvin Yeo
MAJ Andy Ang
Assistant Editor
Ms Calyn Chan
Staff Writers and Photographers
CFC Joshua Lok
CPL Douglas Fong
LCP Alvan Tay
LCP Koh Wei Jun 05 13
2
18 10 2
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contents
Pg 4 - 7 Command-Level
Exercises
Pg 8 - 11
EX Cope Tiger
Pg 12 - 15
Singapore Airshow 2012
Pg 16 - 17
My Air Force Story
Pg 18 - 19
The RSAF’s New
Pixelised Uniform
Pg 20
EX Brightfi re
Pg 21 - 23
Our Valued Partners
Pg 24 - 34
Happenings In The RSAF
Pg 35 - 36
Awards and Ceremonies
Pg 37 - 38
Developing Our People
Pg 39
Changes in Appointments
21 27
The opinions and views herein are those expressed
by the writers and do not necessarily refl ect the offi cial
views of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)
or the Ministry of Defence. The material in Air Force
News is not to be reproduced in whole or in part
without the written consent of the RSAF.
We Value Your Feedback!
If you have any feedback or comments about
28 33 Air Force News, please email
[email protected]
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4 Sharpening
G
f
Edge
Story by
Joshua Lok
Every year, the RSAF conducts various local exercises to hone our airmen’s skills and competencies. Such local training
is important because they provide realistic training opportunities and serve to develop the participants’ skills so that RSAF
airmen will be ready to defend Singapore in times of need. Three such Command-level exercises were held between Jan and
Feb 2012.
The Air Combat Command (ACC) organised a competition excellence in both air-to-air and air-to-ground domains,
from 29 Jan to 6 Feb 12 amongst the RSAF’s fi ghter SQNs. as well as aircraft maintenance and the arming of weapon
Besides creating a competitive atmosphere to spur all ACC systems.”
personnel to achieve greater heights, it also aimed to foster
camaraderie amongst the various SQNs and personnel CAF, MG Ng Chee Meng, visited Fighter Group at Tengah
within ACC. Air Base during the exercise on 1 Feb 12. As part of his visit,
MG Ng fl ew the F-5 S/T fi ghter aircraft in an air-to-air combat
On the importance of this exercise, LTC Nalpon scenario. He concluded his visit with a dialogue session with
Patrick Selvan, S3 Fighter Group, highlighted, “The FG personnel, encouraging them to do their best during the
scope of this year’s exercise was exercise.
expanded beyond basic weaponry
skills to emphasise on tactical Over the course of the exercise, 140 SQN clinched the Best
Overall SQN award.
Pilots sharing a lighter
moment after their training
fl ights
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5
Ground crew preparing the aircraft Exercise participants
for take-off during the ACC exercise from UC refuelling the
Searcher UAV
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Command (UC) organised In their inaugural participation, 116 SQN emerged with the
its own exercise from 30 Jan to 8 Feb 12. This exercise saw Best SQN award during the exercise.
UAV operators and Air Force Engineers showcase their skills
in fl ying, and in conducting pre-fl ight checks on the UAVs. The MAJ Goh Bok Sing, Dy CO 128 SQN, shared, “We’re pleased to
exercise, which was conducted in the form of a competition see the fi rst participation of 116 SQN, as well as Operationally
within UC, involved quizzes on the participants’ systems Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and Full-Time National
knowledge, simulator fl ying, and live fl ying skills. Servicemen (NSFs) from 128 SQN and ALS UC. I think that
this exercise has spurred UC personnel on to work harder
This year’s exercise also saw 116 SQN, which operates the and achieve even more for the RSAF.”
Hermes-450 (H-450) UAV, participating for the very fi rst time.
A H-450 UAV taking off
during one of the exercises
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6
Security troopers An Air Force
participating in the Engineer checking
Force Protection the Apache attack
segment of the helicopter during
APGC exercise the APGC exercise
The Air Power Generation Command (APGC) also conducted On the value of this exercise, MAJ Chiong Seow Mun, CO
an exercise across all the air bases in the RSAF from 27 Jan 608 SQN, said, “As APGC is the Command with the largest
to 8 Feb 12. A total of 92 teams took part in six broad areas of number of people in the RSAF, we’re not only expected to
competition – Force Protection, Platform Operability, Launch be competent in our duties in our respective SQNs, but also
and Recovery, Ground Logistics, Operational Engineering, at the base level as a whole. This exercise is most useful
and Operational Maintenance. Sembawang Air Base in allowing us to achieve a higher level of cross-functional
emerged as the overall winner in this exercise and won the operational effectiveness.”
coveted Exercise Champion award.
Air Force Engineers
repairing the runway
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7
8 Feb 12 marked the end of all the
exercises and a Combined Closing
Ceremony was held to mark the
occasion. Guest-of-Honour, MG
Ng, presented all the awards for
the three exercises to the winning
SQNs and personnel.
ME6 Stewart Ng, Dy COMD
Sembawang Air Base (SBAB)
ce and Organising Chairman for the
ng MG Ng presenting the
Combined Awards Presentation and
ck Exercise Champion
Closing Ceremony, commented, “The
ng award to ME7 Francis
scenarios this year challenged all the
se Cheong, COMD SBAB
participants to execute missions in
realistic and operational conditions.
MG Ng interacting
Besides assessing their skills at the
with Fighter Group
individual level, the exercise also
personnel during
tested the participants’ teamwork
his visit
and knowledge. We have witnessed
the professionalism, tenacity, and
fi ghting spirit in all our participants.
I am sure that every one of us will be
able to contribute greatly towards
achieving mission success for the
RSAF.”
F-16D Blk 52+ fi ghter
aircraft returning
from a sortie
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8
CCooppee
TTTiiggeerr
Story by
Alvan Tay
Held annually, EX Cope Tiger is a tri-lateral exercise contributions in promoting closer bilateral ties between the
between the RSAF, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), and RSAF and the RTAF. These senior RTAF offi cers were Air
the United States Air Force (USAF). Inaugurated in 1995, Chief Marshal (ACM) Derek Promprayoon, Air Marshal (AM)
this year’s exercise is the 18th edition in the series. Krissana Nimwattana, AM Choocheep Phaewsomboon, Air
Vice Marshal (AVM) Suttipong Inseeyong, and Group CPT
The Opening Ceremony for EX Cope Tiger 12 was held at Chalermvong Keeranond.
Paya Lebar Air Base on 16 Dec 11. It was offi ciated by CAF,
MG Ng Chee Meng; Commander-in-Chief, RTAF, Air Chief The Flying Training Exercise (FTX) for EX Cope Tiger 12
Marshall (ACM) Itthaporn Subhawong; and Mobilisation was conducted from 12 to 23 March 12 at Korat Air Base in
Assistant to Commander Pacifi c Air Forces (PACAF), MG Jon Thailand. This year’s exercise saw the deployment of 93
Shasteen. aircraft, 34 Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems, and
more than 2,000 personnel from the three participating air
Before the opening ceremony, fi ve senior RTAF offi cers were forces.
presented with the RSAF Honorary Wings for their signifi cant
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The RSAF’s F-15SG along with the
RTAF’s Gripen and the USAF’s F-15
during the joint exercise
On the value of EX Cope Tiger, the RSAF’s EX Director, As an Air Defence Weapon Operator from 163 SQN, CPL
COL Tommy Tan, shared, “Over the years, EX Cope Tiger Tan Rongshun provides regular maintenance for the
has progressed steadily both in scope and complexity. I-HAWK system, which was one of the Ground-Based Air
Besides promoting mutual understanding and close ties, Defence systems deployed in EX Cope Tiger 12. Taking part
the exercise also enhances interoperability amongst the in an overseas exercise as a Full-Time National Serviceman
participating forces.” (NSF) presented CPL Tan with a valuable learning
opportunity. He said, “This once-in-a-lifetime experience
The fi rst ever participation of the F-15SG in EX Cope Tiger has demonstrated to me how the three air forces work
presented many training benefi ts for the detachment together to accomplish their tasks. It has also shown me
from the RSAF. It also enhanced the training realism for all that my training back in Singapore is useful in operational
three participating air forces. situations such as these where integration with other air
forces is key to mission success.”
Refl ecting on his participation in the exercise, ME1 Wilfred
Ying, a Flight Line Crew from 149 SQN, shared, “Our Besides the FTX, community relations projects were also
deployment was very demanding as we had to quickly adapt organised at several schools on 13 and 16 Mar 12. Aimed
to the hot climate here in Thailand. However, we persevered at fostering good relations between the local communities
and drew strength from the encouragement of our peers. of Korat and Chandy as well as the participating nations,
Along the way, we also forged closer friendships with the the RSAF supported the project through the donation of
RTAF and USAF personnel, who were all very friendly.” electric fans, computers, sports equipment and stationery.
A member of the RSAF’s
ground crew marshalling the
F-16D Blk52+ before take-off
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CPL Tan conducting MSG(NS) Chua Bong
routine checks on Chuan refuelling the
the I-HAWK system F-16D Blk52+
CPT(Dr) Lee LTC Lee Shee Wei giving a
attending to presentation on Singapore
a patient to the Thai students
The RSAF’s EX Director, COL Tan,
handing out food to students with the
RTAF’s and the USAF’s EX Directors
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