AIR FORCE NEWS AFN MANAGEMENT FEATURED WRITERS COMMITTEE e radl y Ge ver the past nine months in AFIC, I have witnessed the Chairman B ra E r T d Oastounding dedication of our airmen and women from COL Lim Kok Siong P the various vocations. My time spent in Exercise Wallaby 17 has further presented me with a widened perspective of the Members RSAF in terms of the scale of its operations overseas and LTC Cindy Chua the interoperability it has with the other services. This has enhanced my confidence in the RSAF's high standards in LTC Lily Foo LTC Koh Boon Tih performing its role as the defender of Singapore's skies. LTC Cecilia Ong LTC Tan Giam LTC Michael Wong dward ocumenting the efforts of the RSAF has been a fulfilling E E S journey in the past five months. My time thus far in AFIC Ms Heng Ai Buay T im D P and Air Force News has been thoroughly exciting as I had Ms Loh Seok Chen the opportunity to cover events featuring the development and milestones of our Air Force. As we usher in RSAF50, I look forward to sharing the stories of the Air Force personnel Editors who dedicate themselves to the nation. Above All, may our LTC Melvyn Tan Air Force soar to even greater heights and achieve Mission LTC Charles Chua Success always. Assistant Editor Ms Ng Yun Wen Staff Writers & Photographers CFC Ivan Chua PTE Bradley Gerard TABLE OF CONTENTS PTE Sng Qiyang PTE Darren Tan PTE Edward Sim Foreword by CAF 4 REC Andy Tay RSAF50 Logo 5 RSAF50 6 Exercise Wallaby 2017 10 Joint Military Training 16 Insight: Air-Land Tactical Control Centre 17 Happenings in the RSAF 18-19, 22-27 Like us on Facebook! Events in RSAF50 20 Facebook.com/TheRSAF Follow us on Twitter & Instagram! @TheRSAF | #TheRSAF Our Valued Partners 28 We Value Your Feedback! If you have any feedback or comments about Awards & Ceremonies 31 Air Force News, please email [email protected] Developing Our People 36 The opinions and views herein are those expressed by the writers and do not necessarily My Air Force Story 37 reflect the official views of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) or the Ministry of Changes in Appointments 38 Defence. The materials in Air Force News are not to be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the RSAF. Sneak Peeks 39 2 06 10 19 22 25 3 Foreword by the Chief of Air Force MG Mervyn Tan Our Humble Beginnings. most importantly, competent and committed airmen 2018 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Republic and women to see our Air Force through tough of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). As we celebrate this times and challenges, of which we have had our fair significant milestone, it is timely for us to reflect on share. We are constantly reminded of the quality of how far we have come. It has been a remarkable 50 our people from their excellent achievements when years. When the Singapore Air Defence Command benchmarked against the best in the world. No (SADC) was stood up on 1 Sep 1968, all we had were matter whether it is our controllers who watch over two Cessnas on loan from the Singapore Flying Club our skies vigilantly, our air defenders who man our for our basic flight training. weapon systems in high readiness, our pilots who push our aircraft to their limits, or our engineers Full Spectrum, Integrated, Ready. who maintain our systems in tip-top conditions, I Today, 50 years on, the RSAF is regarded as one of am humbled by our people's professionalism and the most technologically advanced and competent determination every day. I am also reminded of Air Forces in the region. At home, we stand ready how privileged and immensely proud I am to be to defend our nation's skies. Well integrated with entrusted with the responsibility of leading this able the rest of the SAF, we can contribute effective air team in our collective mission to bring the RSAF to power to support our Army and Navy. Further from even greater heights. home, we have consistently punched above our weight and enhanced the international standing of RSAF50: Our Home, Above All. Singapore. We have successfully executed important Looking ahead, exciting times await the Air Force. Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief missions such As we go forth to write the next pages in the as during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and the RSAF’s history, we must always remember that we 2015 Nepal Earthquake, as well as contributed to the cannot take our peace and stability for granted. As ongoing fight against terrorism in the Middle East. encapsulated aptly by our RSAF50 tagline, I urge all These are no mean feats for a small Air Force like airmen and women to remain vigilant and ready to ours, and bear testament to the progress we have respond to threats to our nation's sovereignty, and to made in the past decades. place the defence of "Our Home, Above All". Our People: The Strength of our Air Force. On this note, I wish the men and women of the None of our successes is however guaranteed. It took RSAF a happy 50th Anniversary and a fulfilling astute vision, sound strategies and great courage, but celebratory year ahead! 4 The numerical '50' flown by the F-15SG represents the 50th Anniversary of the RSAF. It is made up of an 'infinity' symbol which symbolises that there are no limits to how far the RSAF airmen and women will go to defend our home and our way of life. The iconic Singapore Skyline symbolises Singapore - Our Home. Together with the tagline, they represent the RSAF's resolve to remain vigilant, capable and ready to respond to threats to our nation's sovereignty and place the defence of "Our Home, Above All". 5 STORY Darren Tan DESIGN Qiyang Sng his year marks the 50th anniversary of the RSAF. Our Air Force has Tcome a long way over these 50 years, when Singapore started with almost no air defence capability. Today, we have put together a formidable air defence arsenal and the RSAF is recognised as one of the most modern and competent air forces in the region. The 1st Generation RSAF was known as the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC). It was inaugurated on 1 Sep 1968, and later renamed as the RSAF in Jul 1975. The SADC started off with two Cessna aircraft from the Singapore Flying Club. It achieved its first milestone two years after its inauguration – the addition of the British-made Hawker Hunter on 8 Sep 1970 equipped the SADC with its first fighter aircraft, marking its foray into air warfare. Subsequently, the RSAF entered the realm of supersonic flight with the Northrop F-5/F Tiger II fighter aircraft on 19 Feb 1979, strengthening its air superiority and its ability to execute many more air defence and air combat operations. Today, the RSAF is currently operating both the F-16C/D and F-15SG fighter aircraft, which are among the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world. The next milestone for the SADC was the inauguration of its first helicopter SQN, which was declared operational on 29 Sep 1969. It operated the French-made Alouette III helicopter and was primarily used for Search-and-Rescue (SAR) missions and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) missions. Within two years of its formation, the SQN was called upon to participate in the Kuantan flood relief operations. Likewise, the RSAF’s helicopters have developed new roles and capabilities locally and overseas, particularly in joint operations with the Army and Navy. This was particularly so with the acquisition of the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, CH-47D Chinook helicopter, AS332M Super Puma helicopter and S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter. 6 Apart from aircraft, Ground-Based Air Defence SADC’s infancy, the Skyvans were purchased in 1972 (GBAD) systems were also necessary to enhance to meet the SAF’s air transport and Search and Locate the SADC’s capability to defend Singapore's skies. needs. It was later assigned to be the Navy’s “eye in In order to achieve this, the SADC acquired the Swiss- the sky” after the concept of Maritime Air Surveillan- -made 35mm Oerlikon Gun as well as the Bristol Blo- ce developed. Following that, the C-130 and KC-135 odhound Mark II Surface-to-Air missiles. The RSAF transport aircraft, Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft has since evolved tremendously and acquired many and G-550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft were more advanced GBAD assets, providing acquired to allow the RSAF and SAF to Singapore with a multi-layered air de- carry out a wide range of operations. fence. Today, the RSAF is currently Our Air One of the most recent advance- operating the Improved Homing Force has come All the Way Killer (I-HAWK), ments in the RSAF's capabilities a long way over these RBS-70 and the Surface-to- was marked by the Air Force's -Air PYthon and DERby 50 years, when Singapore development of their unma- (SPYDER) GBAD systems, started with almost no air nned capability. The RSAF as well as the Agile Multip- defence capability. Today, we acquired the Hermes 450 le Beam Radar, the Portable have put together a formidable (H450) UAV in 2007, and Search and Target Acquisi- air defence arsenal and the it achieved Full Operational tion Radar, the Multi-Missi- RSAF is recognised as one Capability (FOC) in 2015.