Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the RSAF Helicopter Training Detachment in Oakey

Assistant Minister for Defence Mr. David Fawcett,
Colleagues from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF),
Valued partners from the Oakey Army Aviation Training Centre and Bristow Defence Industries (BDI),
Men and Women of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF),

Very good morning! I am delighted to be with you today to celebrate an important occasion – the occasion being the 20th anniversary of the RSAF Helicopter training detachment here in Oakey, Australia. This anniversary celebration is yet another reflection of the deep and longstanding friendship between our two defence establishments, and between Australia and Singapore as two countries. We are greatly honoured that so many of you are with us today. 

BILATERAL DEFENCE RELATIONSHIP

The defence relationship between Singapore and Australia indeed goes back a long way and we can certainly trace it back to the Second World War, when Australian troops fought bravely to defend then-Malaya and Singapore. Since then, and over the decades, our two countries have continued to forge strong ties, spurred by shared strategic interests and perspectives. Our militaries, the SAF and the ADF, likewise boast a long track record of cooperation, with extensive bilateral and multilateral interaction. These range from mutual visits to participation in each other's courses, to joint deployments in the Middle East as part of the Defeat-ISIS coalition. We have grown closer by exercising and deploying together. 

TRACING THE HISTORY

But let me return to speaking about our training here in Oakey.  It all started with the Oakey Agreement. That Agreement was signed by Singapore's then-Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Dr Tony Tan and Australia's then-Minister for Defence Mr Ian McLachlan in 1996, and it allowed the RSAF to deploy up to 16 helicopters then to train its pilots in the area. The first RSAF helicopters started training here in 1998.

VALUABLE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN OAKEY

The opportunity to train at Oakey is valuable to the RSAF.  The huge air space gave the RSAF and our pilots the opportunity to conduct realistic training, to hone and sharpen both systems and operational skills.  Twenty years on, more than 150 RSAF Super Puma pilots have benefited from this training. Beyond pilot training, the RSAF has also leveraged its presence here to undertake integrated training with the Singapore Army. For example, the RSAF CH-47D Chinooks joined the training in Oakey in May this year, and they are in Rockhampton to participate in Exercise WALLABY. 

RECOGNISING THE INVALUABLE SUPPORT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, DEFENCE INDUSTRY AND LOCAL COMMUNITY

Apart from the helicopter detachments in Oakey and the exercises conducted here in Shoalwater Bay, the RSAF also conducts pilot training in Pearce and Tamworth. Both Armed Forces have also enhanced their interoperability through exercises such as Exercise TRIDENT, which I will have the opportunity to co-observe with Assistant Minister Fawcett later today.  Further strides are being made under the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). 

I would like to express our gratitude to the Australian Government for being a special friend, a trusted partner and a gracious host, and on this occasion, especially for the steadfast support for the RSAF detachments in Oakey over these past 20 years. 

I also thank the local communities in Oakey and in Toowoomba for your warmth, graciousness and hospitality toward our folks operating here, 6000 km from home. The RSAF personnel and their families enjoy being part of your communities and enjoyed being involved in community events. I am told that examples included occasional Super Puma static displays and participation in the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, and others. 

I must also record our thanks to BDI for ably supporting the RSAF's operations in Oakey since inception.  Your professionalism has enabled us to derive the most from our assets training here.

RECOGNISING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE DETACHMENT

Finally, to our men and women of the RSAF helicopter detachments in Oakey, thank you for your hard work, dedication and professionalism. I also thank your families for their unwavering support to you and to our mission.  On this joyous occasion, I wish the RSAF helicopter detachment a very happy 20th Anniversary of training in Oakey.  And we look forward to continued strong partnership between Singapore and Australia, between MINDEF Singapore and the Australian Department of Defence, and between the SAF and the ADF. 

Thank you and have a pleasant afternoon.

More Resources

The RSAF Celebrates 20 Years of Training in Oakey, Australia