Republic of Singapore FULL SPECTRUM . INTEGRATED . READY Issue No. 146 2017 RSAF bEST UNITS OTHER FEATURES : SAF DAY 2017 | ex maple flag ISSUE NO. 146 / 2017 AFN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chairman COL Lim Kok Siong Members LTC Cindy Chua LTC Lily Foo LTC Koh Boon Tih RSAF Best Unit Competition LTC Cecilia Ong PG 4 LTC Tan Giam LTC Michael Wong Ms Heng Ai Buay Ms Loh Seok Chen Editors LTC Melvyn Tan LTC Charles Chua Assistant Editor CPT Seow Feng Chang Staff Writers & Photographers CPL Christopher Tan CPL Ivan Chua CPL Samuel Chua PG 12 SAF Day 2017 REC Bradley Gerard REC Sng Qiyang REC Darren Tan The opinions and views herein are those expressed by the writers and do not necessarily reflect the Pg 4 — 11 official views of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) or the Ministry of Defence. The material in Pg 12 — 13 Air Force News is not to be reproduced in whole or Pg 14 — 16 in part without the written consent of the RSAF. Pg 17 We Value Your Feedback! Pg 18 — 19 If you have any feedback or comments about Air Force News, please email Pg 19 — 25 [email protected] Pg 26 — 30 Like Us on Facebook! Pg 31 Facebook.com/TheRSAF Pg 32 Follow Us on Pg 33 Twitter & Instagram! EX Maple Flag Pg 34 — 35 @TheRSAF | #TheRSAF PG 14 Pg 35 2 FEATURED WRITERS Sultan of Brunei CDF Visit to 1 AELG Pg 18 Visit Pg 19 – CPL Samuel Chua – s an aviation enthusiast, being able to Adocument the RSAF in action has been a dream come true to me. During my past 2 years with Air Force News, events such as Exercise Torrent and the Command Challenges, have Presidential CDF Visit to shown me the dedication of our servicemen and Garden women. I will always be proud to be part of this Pg 22 TAB OPS Day Pg 24 first-class Air Force and to be able to feature the Reception people who defend our skies 24/7. Tribute to former COS-AS Pg 33 – REC Bradley Gerard – aving just joined Air Force News for four Hmonths, I have been fortunate to witness Pg 4 — 11 RSAF Best Unit Competition the impeccable dedication by a diverse group Pg 12 — 13 SAF Day 2017 Air Force News bids a fond farewell to SLTC of people in forming a first-class Air Force. The sacrifices made by our airmen and women in Pg 14 — 16 EX Maple Flag Kenneth Chiong and Lynette Lee, who were our Editor and Assistant Editor respectively. maintaining a tiptop standard of operational Pg 17 Insight We would like to express our appreciation readiness is undeniable, and it has inspired Pg 18 — 19 Our Valued Partners me to adopt that sense of duty in my work. for their invaluable contributions and wish Interacting with our personnel has also Pg 19 — 25 Happenings in the RSAF them well for their future endeavours. provided me with greater insight into the RSAF's Pg 26 — 30 Awards and Ceremonies operations and confidence that the RSAF will Pg 31 Developing Our People Air Force News also warmly welcomes LTC always be ready to defend our skies. Melvyn Tan and Ng Yun Wen on board the Pg 32 My Air Force Story AFN Management Committee. Pg 33 Tribute to former COS-AS Pg 34 — 35 Changes in Appointments Pg 35 Sneak Peek 3 BEST FIGHTER SQN BEST UNIT 143 SQN COMPETITION BEST HELICOP- Story by Ivan Chua 2017 TER Design by Qiyang Sng SQN 125 SQN BEST The RSAF prides itself as a First Class Air Force AIR with World Class People who are always ready to COMBAT go the extra mile in order to protect the sovereignty SUPPORT of Singapore’s skies. These stalwart airmen and SQN women remain on stand-by round the clock to safe- 121 SQN guard the skies of the country we call home. BEST GROUND his year, seven SQNs and units were specially selected for their - Tremarkable performances that uphold the RSAF’s operational BASED AIR edge, hence distinguishing themselves as the cream of the crop. DEFENCE As a form of recognition for their achievements, the Commanding UNIT Officers (COs) of the respective SQNs received awards from 165 SQN Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, during the SAF Day Parade on 1 Jul 17. BEST From scrambling for an emergency activation to showing CONTROL unwavering dedication when answering the call of duty, we’ll SQN be looking at the seven winners’ operational readiness and proficiency, and will see what made them deserving of the prestigious RSAF Best Unit Award. Let us now take a look at each of the units at work through different times of the day! 205 SQN BEST AIR LOGISTICS UNIT AFSC BEST AIR ENGI- NEERING UNIT ▲ Then COMD Air Defence & Operations Command, BG Tan 811 SQN Chee Wee, with COs from the seven winning units 4 BEST CONTROL 205 Winning the Best Control Squadron for WY2016 is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of 205 SQN SQN SQN personnel, qualities which enabled us to manage the wide-ranging operational activities safely and efficiently, Before the slightest hint of day break, 205 SQN personnel were in contribution to the overall RSAF mission.” already out on the misty runway to scrutinise the vast area for “ potential hazards and faulty airfield lights. This was all part of — LTC Yeong Kah Wai their daily predawn airfield inspection before the start of flying operations. CO, 205 SQN Once the runway had been secured, it was over to the controllers in the Air Traffic Control Tower to monitor the readiness state of the runways and taxiways and ensure the aerodrome was ready. 205 SQN’s role is to ensure the successful launch and recovery of aircraft, including emergency and time-sensitive flights, on top of the daily air traffic movement in Tengah. This involves the planning and execution of aircraft taxying, taking off and landing within the Aerodrome Traffic Zone, and managing ground movement within the Aircraft Manoeuvring Area. ▲ LTA Ang and 2LT Lum looking out for hazards on the runway 3SG Preshaan, an Air Operations Specialist (AOS), said, “As an AOS, my job is mainly to ensure the timely coordination, consolidation and dissemination of information to and with external agencies. I am also tasked with updating the aircrew on the air field ▲ 205 SQN personnel performing runway checks before status so that they will know information crucial to ensuring safe dawn launch and recovery.” 5 buc BEST FIGHTER 143 I think this is something that we imbue in our Phoenix SQN personnel, that no matter how difficult the tasks are, SQN SQN we’ll always have the courage, tenacity and resilience to overcome them.” While the majority of working adults in Singapore were only on their way to work, a wailing siren broke the silence in Tengah Air “ — LTC Ong Teck Koon Base as the air crew from 143 SQN scrambled to their F-16C/D (Then) CO, 143 SQN fighter aircraft. At the jet apron, the Flight Line Crew, having already loaded the aircraft with missiles, quickly conducted pre- flight checks with the air crew. In mere minutes, the F-16C/D fighter aircraft successively took off to the skies for their mission. This is the first time the SQN has clinched the honour ever since it transitioned from the A-4SU Super Skyhawk to the F-16C/D fighter aircraft. 143 SQN won the Best Fighter SQN twice in 1989 and 1990. All these years, the SQN has continued to uphold their high standards of operational readiness and capability through teamwork, discipline, safety and professionalism. ▲ CPT Ravinpal Singh, a Fighter Weapons Instructor from 143 SQN doing his pre-flight checks 3SG Fang Wei Jie, an Air Force Engineer (AFE) from 143 SQN explained that both the culture and people are the essence to clinching the Best Unit Award. “143 SQN personnel maintain the utmost standards in doing our jobs due to strong team spirit that we’ve forged, to help us achieve mission success,” he said. ME1-2 Sarravannan echoed similar views. “The people that we have in the SQN are very dedicated and we are bonded with our team effort. And the culture that we have built – we don’t leave any ▲ AFEs from 143 SQN loading the missile onto the F-16C/D man behind, and together with our motto – “We Dare”, we push Fighter Aircraft each other together and strive for the best.” 8 6 buc BEST GROUND-BASED The success is a testament of the discipline and hard work of every single Regular, NSF, and NSman of the unit, AIR DEFENCE 165 who devoted themselves to the focus areas. But we also SQN recognise that we must continue to work hard at these UNIT areas so that we can do“ our job properly and proudly in defending Singapore’s skies.” — LTC Lim Yu Sing CO, 165 SQN 3SG Sakthivel, an Air Defence Weapons Specialist (ADWS) from 165 SQN, attributed their success to the personnel’s dedication toward defending our skies. He shared, “Our people actually go above and beyond what is expected of them in their line of duty. We also have this sharing system where the commanders and men share what we’ve learnt so that we do not repeat the same mistakes." ▲ 3SG Kathivel performing checks on the SPYDER System Under the blazing heat of the afternoon sun, a team of air defenders from 165 SQN kept their heads on a swivel for aerial intruders with their Surface-to-Air PYthon 5 and DERby (SPYDER) Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) system.