Singapore, Thailand and the United States Participate in Trilateral Air Exercise

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft participating in the flying training exercise. Credit: RTAF

(from left) 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Detachment Commander, Lt Col Steven McCord, USAF, Group Captain Kritsana Piumsri, RTAF, and Col Lee Yew Chern Benjamin, RSAF, at Korat Air Base, Thailand.

Exercise participants from the RSAF, RTAF and USAF planning for a flight mission at Exercise Cope Tiger 2025.

RSAF personnel providing medical services for the local community in the Chandy, Lop Buri province.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) are participating in the 31st edition of Exercise Cope Tiger. The trilateral exercise is conducted in two phases. The first phase was a Command Post Exercise, held at the Multinational Operations and Exercise Centre in Changi Naval Base, Singapore, from 17 to 19 December 2024; the second phase is a Flying Training Exercise conducted at Korat Air Base and Chandy Range, Thailand, from 17 to 28 March 2025.

This year, the RSAF is participating in the exercise with 26 aircraft, 10 ground-based air defence systems, and more than 700 personnel. In addition, the exercise participants will take part in a two-day socio-civic programme to engage the local communities and schools in the vicinity of Korat Air Base and Chandy Range.

The RSAF Exercise Director for Exercise Cope Tiger 2025, Colonel Lee Yew Chern Benjamin, shared his views on the importance of the annual exercise. He said, “We value the opportunity to train alongside our counterparts from Thailand and the United States in the exercise. It allows us to execute air defence, strike and UAV operations to enhance our combat readiness and operational capabilities. The long-standing nature of the exercise is also testament to the strong defence relationship and cooperation among the three participating countries.”

The closing ceremony for Exercise Cope Tiger will be held on 28 March 2025, and will be co-officiated by Singapore’s Chief of Air Force, Major-General Kelvin Fan; Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul and Air National Guard Assistant to the Pacific Air Forces Commander, Major General Christopher Sheppard.

Conducted since 1994, Exercise Cope Tiger seeks to enhance the professionalism and defence relations among Singapore, Thailand and the United States, and promote closer rapport and mutual understanding among their personnel.