Singapore and Malaysian Air Forces Conduct Bilateral Search and Rescue Exercise 2024

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s Commanding Officer, 125 Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Lim Seng Wee (right) and The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)'s Commanding Officer, 10 Squadron, Lt Col Ahmad Farhan bin Ahmad RMAF (left) in front of the RSAF's H225M (right) and RMAF's EC725 (left) helicopters which are participating in the Search-And-Rescue Exercise (SAREX) MALSING 2024.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) are conducting the sixth edition of the bilateral Search-And-Rescue Exercise (SAREX) MALSING from 7 to 15 May 2024 at Kuantan Air Base, Malaysia. The RSAF's H225M and RMAF's EC725 helicopters, together with their Search-and-Rescue (SAR) aircrew and groundcrew, are participating in this year's SAREX MALSING.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lim Seng Wee, RSAF Commanding Officer, 125 Squadron and Lt Col Ahmad Farhan bin Ahmad RMAF, Commanding Officer of 10 Squadron, co-officiated the opening ceremony of this year's SAREX MALSING on 8 May at Kuantan Air Base. Speaking at the ceremony, LTC Lim said, "This annual bilateral exercise provides both Air Forces with an important platform and excellent opportunities to collaborate, interoperate and train together in life saving Search and Rescue operations. We stay committed to improve our SAR operations to save lives through our regular collaboration. It is also a testament to the warm and long-standing defence relations between the two countries."

Sharing the same sentiment, Lt Col Ahmad Farhan said, "We are pleased to participate in this bilateral exercise with the RSAF on combined Search and Rescue operations. This bilateral exercise with the RSAF demonstrates a high level of professionalism, mutual trust and team excellence from the personnel of both Air Forces to maximise our joint capabilities to carry out SAR operations safely and expeditiously."

During the exercise, the participants from both countries engaged in professional discussions and planned for SAR operations based on a simulated aerial mishap scenario off Pulau Tioman, Malaysia. The SAR teams also conducted aerial searches and expeditious evacuation of simulated casualties for immediate medical attention.

Singapore's Chief of Staff, Air Staff, Brigadier-General Ho Kum Luen, and Deputy Chief of the RMAF, Lieutenant-General Datuk Seri Haji Muhamad Norazlan bin Aris RMAF, will be co-officiating the closing ceremony on 14 May at Kuantan Air Base.

Since its inception in 2018, SAREX MALSING seeks to enhance the professionalism and defence relations between the two air forces and foster closer rapport and mutual cooperation amongst the personnel. Other than SAREX MALSING, the RSAF and RMAF also interact regularly across a wide range of activities, including bilateral visits and professional exchanges, as well as multilateral activities under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

SAREX MALSING participants from the RSAF and RMAF discussing the mission plans for combined search-and-rescue operations.

RSAF's H225M helicoptee landing at Kuantan Air Base, Malaysia. (Credit: Royal Malaysian Air Force)