ENHANCING PROFESSIONAL TIES THROUGH EXERCISE COPE TIGER
PHOTO // Courtesy of RSAF
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) took part in a trilateral air exercise with Thai and United States forces at Korat Air Base in Thailand from 11 to 22 Mar.
Codenamed Cope Tiger, this year's exercise, which is the19th in its series, involved about 80 aircraft, 36 ground-based air defence systems and more than 2,000 personnel from the three participating nations.
The exercise also saw the maiden participation of the RSAF's Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby (SPYDER) system, a quick-reaction, surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
On how the SPYDER complemented other assets used during the exercise, Major (MAJ) Nicholas Chng, Commanding Officer of 165 Squadron (SQN) which operates the SPYDER, said: "The SPYDER itself actually operates two missile systems, and that provides operational flexibility." The SPYDER is equipped with Python-5 and Derby missiles which are fitted with infrared imaging and radio frequency seekers respectively.
The exercise began last year with a command post exercise held at the Multinational Operations and Exercises Centre at Changi Naval Base in Singapore from 11 to 13 Dec, followed by the flying training exercise in Thailand.
"We are pleased to train and operate alongside our counterparts from Thailand and the United States in Exercise Cope Tiger. More importantly, the friendship that has developed through this trilateral exercise serves to enhance the defence relationship and interoperability of the three participating nations," said RSAF exercise director Colonel (COL) Benedict Ang.
United States Air Force (USAF) Exercise Director COL PeterJ. Milohnic expressed similar sentiments and noted that the exercise would go along way in enhancing force integration and improving in areas such as tactics, techniques and maintenance procedures. He described the RSAF personnel as dedicated, professional and meticulous, "very keen on learning more and constantly improving themselves - a quality which is very desirable in the profession that we work in".
The exercise participants also provided basic health and dental services to the local community in the vicinity of Korat Air Base and Chandy Range, as part of a two-day joint socio-civic programme.
Exercise Cope Tiger 2013 concluded on 22 Mar with a closing ceremony officiated by Singapore's Chief of Air Force (Designate) Brigadier-General (BG) Hoo Cher Mou; Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Prajin Juntong; and Commander of the Pacific Air Forces, General (GEN) Herbert J. Carlisle.
