The Air Force Turns 40 - Two New Commands Inaugurated, Restructuring Completed
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THE AIR FORCE TURNS 40 - TWO NEW COMMANDS INAUGURATED, RESTRUCTURING COMPLETED 1. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) celebrated its 40 th anniversary today. In conjunction with its 40 th anniversary, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean inaugurated the Air Combat Command (ACC) and the Air Power Generation Command (APGC) at a parade held at the Tengah Air Base. 2. Together with Air Defence Operations Command, Participation Command and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command which were inaugurated earlier, ACC and the APGC completes the restructuring of the RSAF that started in January 07 from an air base-centric structure to five mission-oriented functional commands. These five commands will provide the RSAF with the flexibility to meet increases in operational tempo, as well as the scope to assimilate new technology in support of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) operations in an increasingly complex and uncertain environment. This will allow the RSAF to contribute more effectively in the SAF's operations across the air, land and sea domains. 3. Inaugurating the two commands together also reflects the symbiotic nature of their operations. The ACC will bring together fighter and transport squadrons under one command, with central planning, control and execution of the air battle in operations. The APGC will enhance the missions of the ACC by ensuring that all air bases remain operational at all times, as well as improving the servicing and turn-around of aircraft to ensure continuous and responsive operations. By bringing the control of all the air bases' operations and their assets under the APGC, the RSAF can tighten the coordination among them and prioritise their launch of aircraft to fulfil a variety of mission demands more effectively and efficiently. 4. As part of the 40 th anniversary celebrations, a commemorative book was launched at the parade today. Titled '40 years of the RSAF: Our People, Our Air Force', the book outlines the growth and achievements of the RSAF over the past four decades. The book will also provide insights into the RSAF’s transformation to a 3 rd Generation Air Force and pay tribute to its people. The book can be purchased at the RSAF Open House, which will be held at the Paya Lebar Air Base on 30 and 31 Aug 08. # # # FACT SHEET ON AIR COMBAT COMMAND AND AIR POWER GENERATION COMMAND INTRODUCTION 1. The restructuring of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), which began in Jan 07, is completed with the inauguration of the Air Combat Command (ACC) and the Air Power Generation Command (APGC) on 28 Aug 08. 2. Under the restructured RSAF, the five mission-oriented functional commands are: the ACC, the APGC, the Air Defence and Operations Command (ADOC), the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command (UC), and the Participation Command (PC). 3. With this new structure, the RSAF has become more operationally effective and can achieve better integration with the Army and the Navy as part of the 3 rd Generation Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The RSAF has also become more effective in maximising the use of air power for SAF missions, and more responsive to the full spectrum of military operations. THE AIR COMBAT COMMAND (ACC) 4. The ACC is responsible for the planning, control and execution of the air battle in operations. It brings together all fighter and transport squadrons that will carry out these tasks under a single command which will be responsible for training the pilots and aircrew to think and operate in a fully integrated way. 5. By doing so, dedicated command attention can be given to ensure that the fighter and transport forces: (1) train together on a more regular basis, (2) develop integrated tactics, techniques and procedures, and (3) strengthen the teamwork and fighting spirit. Being under a single command will also result in higher efficiencies in resource management, training and administration. 6. The ACC consists of the Integrated System Development Group (ISDG), Operations Development Group (ODG), Integrated System Development Group (ISDG), Fighter Group (FG) and Transport Group (TG). The organisational structure of ACC is illustrated in Figure 1: Figure 1. Organisational Structure of ACC (Refer to Figure 1 for * *means to be delivered. ) 7. The details of the main groups within the ACC are highlighted below: Integrated System Development Group (ISDG). ISDG integrates ACC capabilities into missions, undertaken by other Services in the SAF, that require the employment of fighter and transport aircraft. Operations Development Group (ODG). ODG develops mission plans, doctrines and procedures that can fully exploit the multi-role capabilities of the fighter and transport aircraft for the RSAF to achieve and sustain air superiority. Fighter Group (FG) . The FG is responsible for the professional and skills development of the fighter force by ensuring that the aircrew are trained to a high level of proficiency to carry out their assigned missions effectively. Transport Group (TG) . The TG is responsible for the professional and skills development of the transport force by ensuring that the aircrew are trained to a high level of proficiency to carry out their assigned missions effectively. THE AIR POWER GENERATION COMMAND (APGC) 8. The APGC is set up to enable the RSAF to generate and sustain effective, timely and robust air power to meet the operational needs of the SAF. With the APGC, higher operational efficiency within each RSAF Air Base, and secondly, greater integration across the four bases are achieved. 9. Within each air base, the Base Commander ensures that the various elements (see Figure 2) responsible for air power generation work together to enable a quick turnaround of aircraft for missions, enabling continuous air operations. 10. The APGC will ensure that all air bases remain operational at all times, as well as improve the servicing and turn-around of aircraft to ensure continuous and responsive operations. By bringing the control of all the air bases' operations and their assets under the APGC, the RSAF can tighten the coordination among them and prioritise their launch of aircraft, to fulfill a variety of missions more effectively and efficiently. 11. The APGC consists of the Operations Development Group (ODG) and four air bases: Changi Air Base, Paya Lebar Air Base, Sembawang Air Base and Tengah Air Bas e. The broad organisational structure of APGC is illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2. Organisational Structure of APGC 12. The details of the main groups within APGC are highlighted below: Operations Development Group (ODG) . ODG is the central planning unit for APGC. Its key functions are to develop plans and doctrines in air power generation that will better meet the operational requirements of the 3 rd Generation RSAF. Air Bases. Each air base will take charge of the vocational training and development of the units under its command to maintain high standards of competencies required for the success of the air power generation mission. The bases will also drive the development of tactical doctrines in air base operability and aircraft generation. a. Air Logistics Group (ALG) . The ALG provides logistical support for all the flying aircraft. b. Flying Support Squadron (FSS) . FSS provides air traffic control, meteorological monitoring, as well as relevant flight information to the flying Operational Commands (PC and ACC). c. Field Defence Squadron (FDS) . The FDS performs the role of force protection, which covers protection against both conventional and asymmetrical threats to sustain air operations. It is also responsible for airbase security operations. d. Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS) . The AMS is responsible for the functions that enable the airbase to defend, survive and recover from enemy attacks. e. Ground Logistics Squadron (GLS) . GLS is responsible for the essential supporting services, such as the provision of meals, vehicles, general equipment stores, clothing, accommodation, electrical power and water to sustain operations within the airbase. # # # Figure 2. Organisational Structure of ACC Figure 2. Organisational Structure of APGC Infographic showing change in command structure .