Republic of Singapore FULL SPECTRUM . INTEGRATED . READY Issue No. 118 2011 Other Features: RSAF Open House RSAF Best Units Cover AFNo118.indd 1 9/2/11 9:49 AM FULL SPECTRUM . INTEGRATED . READY AFN Management Committee Chairman COL Chee Wai Mun Members LTC Dalbir Singh LTC Humphrey Chin LTC Pao Hung Ling MAJ Edwin Lim Mrs Christine Chia Ms Heng Ai Buay Mr Goh Nai Teng 23 Editors SLTC Alvin Yeo MAJ Andy Ang Assistant Editor Ms Calyn Chan Staff Writers and Photographers CFC S. Gajendran CPL Douglas Fong CPL Joshua Lok LCP Andrew Ng LCP Koh Wei Jun 14 04 28 30 2 002-003 Content.indd 2 8/31/11 4:11 PM contents Pg 4 - 5 Our Fokker-50 Comes Home Pg 6 - 11 RSAF Open House Pg 12 - 13 RSAF Receives Five New Regimental Colours Pg 14 - 17 RSAF Best Units Pg 18 Operation Pacifi c Angel Pg 19 EX Bersama Shield 2011 Pg 20 Our Valued Partners Pg 21 - 27 Happenings In The RSAF Pg 28 - 34 Awards and Ceremonies Pg 35 - 37 Developing Our People 07 13 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 Air Force News, please email 27 32 [email protected] 002-003 Content.indd 3 8/31/11 4:12 PM 4 Our Fokker-50 Comes Home Fokker-50 MPA detachment returns from the Gulf of Aden Story by S. Gajendran eployed to the Gulf of Aden since Apr 2011, the Aden contributed to the continued economic stability of w SAF’s Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (F-50 MPA) maritime states, which is critical as the Gulf forms part a detachment returned to Singapore on 15 Jul 11. The of an important global shipping route. g detachment personnel were welcomed home by CAF, S MG Ng Chee Meng, senior SAF offi cers, as well as their To engage detachment personnel and be updated on a next-of-kin at a ceremony held at Changi Air Base. their operations, CAF, MG Ng Chee Meng, visited the detachment in Djibouti from 26 to 28 Apr 11. During his S Tasked with conducting maritime air surveillance and visit, MG Ng also called on Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign C performing coordinated search operations to locate Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Mahamoud th and investigate suspicious vessels in the Gulf of Aden, Ali Youssof, and the Chief of Defence Force, Djiboutian ef the F-50 MPA detachment was based in Djibouti Armed Forces, MG Fathi Ahmed Houssein. w and operated under the ambit of the multinational o Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. During its deployment, At the aircraft Homecoming Ceremony, CO 121 SQN, c the detachment completed 58 sorties which provided LTC Song Chun Keet, said, “I am proud to have led a ho CTF 151 with an enhanced sea situation picture of the team of professionals as part of the multinational efforts w Gulf of Aden. The detachment’s efforts in the Gulf of to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden. The detachment 1 2 3 pg4-5 Our Fokker-50 Comes Home.indd 4 8/31/11 11:25 AM 5 e n of worked hard to overcome the challenges and complete MG Ng receiving the returning Fokker-50 crew led 1 rt all the missions assigned to us successfully. I am also by Dy CO 121 SQN, LTC Jimmy Chia glad to hear from our international partners that the SAF’s contributions and professionalism were much MG Ng with other senior SAF offi cers and personnel on appreciated.” 2 from the Fokker-50 MPA detachment posing for a e commemorative photo is Speaking on his feelings after completing the mission, gn CPT Sathiyan, Pilot, 121 SQN, said, “During our time MG Ng interacting with the detachment personnel 3 d there, we refi ned our practices and improved our at the Homecoming Ceremony an effi ciency in executing the missions. Over there, we were on our own so we needed to innovate, think COS(AS), BG Wong Huat Sern, speaking to CPT 4 on our feet, and be able to adapt quickly to real-time Sathiyan and his father N, changes. If we were to bring these experiences back a home, it certainly makes us more effi cient and capable LTC Song showing MG Ng some of the operations 5 ts when performing local operations.” conducted by the detachment nt 3 4 5 pg4-5 Our Fokker-50 Comes Home.indd 5 8/31/11 11:25 AM 6 Open House Defending Our Skies Story by Douglas Fong rom 26 to 29 May 11, a crowd of almost 158,000 Elaborating on the objective of the Open House, Fenthusiasts thronged through the gates of Chairman of the Open House Organising Committee, PLAB to visit the RSAF Open House. With a wide SLTC Foo Yang Ge, said, “What we want is for array of technologically advanced aircraft, state- Singaporeans to learn more about the RSAF, our of-the-art weapon systems and informative exhibits capabilities, and how we do our job in defending on display, the Open House allowed the general our skies.” To this end, an impressive display of public to better understand the capabilities of the the RSAF’s capabilities was showcased and many 3rd Generation RSAF and the professionalism sophisticated assets, including the newly acquired of its airmen. F-15SG, Surface-to-air PYthon-5 and DERby - Short Range (SPYDER-SR) Ground-Based Air Defence Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, offi ciated at (GBAD) system and Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk the Opening Ceremony on 28 May 11. After viewing Naval Helicopter, were put on display. the displays and exhibits, Dr Ng said, “If you look at the platforms on display today, you’ll see that our A perennial crowd favourite was the aerial display. technology is very advanced and very integrated. Showcasing the RSAF’s multi-layered air defence While that is important, our people’s ability to and a slice of the SAF’s air-land integrated be able to work as a team, to hone and integrate the capabilities, the aerial display featured RSAF systems remains vital. I think the RSAF has assets such as the F-15SG and F-16 fi ghter aircraft, developed very quickly over the past 43 years. Apache attack helicopters, Super Puma and Even internationally, we are regarded as a very Chinook helicopters, as well as GBAD systems professional and capable force.” such as I-Hawk and Mechanised Igla. The sights a th in E a in th T va p th th of h th se R pg6-11 RSAF Open House.indd 6 9/1/11 1:59 PM 7 e, e, or ur g of ny d rt e wk y. e d AF ft, d ms ts and sound of the action-packed display captivated The aircraft rides onboard the Chinook helicopters the audience and showcased the full spectrum, as well as Fokker-50 and C-130 transport aircraft integrated and operationally ready RSAF. were also among the crowd favourites. For the less adventurous, they would fi nd a wealth of Enthusiasts who could not get enough of the information at the air-conditioned Exhibition Halls aircraft and weapon systems that participated on the roles and functions of the six RSAF Commands in the aerial display had the opportunity to view and how the transformation to a 3rd Generation them up close and personal at the static display. RSAF has enhanced its mission effectiveness. They had the chance to enter the cockpits of the various aircraft, interact with the airmen and take At the Performance Hall, guest performers from photographs with the platforms to commemorate MediaCorp, the SAF Music and Drama Company, their visit to the Open House. Visitors also had and the SAF Military Police Command provided a the opportunity to view arming demonstrations variety of performances to entertain the public. of the F-15SG, F-16D Blk 52+ and Apache attack Exciting game stations were also set up at the helicopter. These demonstrations showcased Carnival Hall and Young Aviator Zone to entertain the team members’ ability to work together the younger visitors, thus ensuring that the RSAF seamlessly, thereby highlighting the 3rd Generation Open House was an interesting and fun-fi lled RSAF’s air power generation capabilities. event for enthusiasts of all ages. pg6-11 RSAF Open House.indd 7 9/1/11 2:00 PM 8 Perspectives Bernard Lee (with his family) 1 I think the Open House is very impressive, the aircraft and exhibitions on display have been very 5 interesting. The simulator is very realistic. It can easily provide our pilots with varying weather scenarios on demand, which enhances the versatility of the training. The simulator thus serves as good preparation for our servicemen. Through this Open House I have learnt much more about the RSAF and I’m confi dent of its ability to defend Singapore well. 6 Germaine Leong 2 This was my fi rst time on a Chinook helicopter. I didn’t know what to expect at fi rst but I enjoyed it thoroughly and would love to go for another ride! On the whole, I found the RSAF Open House an eye-opener and it was an insightful experience to see so many of the platforms up close.