Singapore, Thailand and United States Participate in 30th Anniversary of Trilateral Air Exercise

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) participating in the large force employment air combat exercise. Credit: Katsuhiko Tokunaga

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) are participating in Exercise Cope Tiger 2024, at Korat Air Base, Thailand from 18 to 28 March 2024. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the trilateral exercise.

This large force employment air combat exercise involves 77 assets and more than 2,000 personnel from across the three nations. The RSAF is participating in the exercise with 27 aircraft, eight ground-based air defence systems and more than 700 personnel. The RSAF's H225M medium-lift helicopters, as well as the USAF's F-35A fighter aircraft, will be participating in the exercise for the first time. The exercise participants will engage in large-scale air defence and strike missions in a challenging environment, allowing them to hone and sharpen their operational competencies. In addition to these training activities, personnel from the three air forces will take part in joint socio-civic programmes to engage local communities and schools in the vicinity of Korat Air Base and Chandy Range.

Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Exercise Cope Tiger, RSAF Exercise Director, Colonel Sebastian Chai said, "Exercise Cope Tiger is a premier air combat exercise that the Republic of Singapore Air Force participates in every year. This exercise is important to us for two key reasons. First, the large training airspace in Thailand gives us the opportunity to conduct realistic high-end large force employment training to hone our operational competencies, something that we cannot replicate in Singapore. Second, this exercise also provides the opportunity for us to interact and also to learn from our Royal Thai Air Force and US Air Force counterparts and also strengthen the excellent defence relations with our partners. This year's Exercise Cope Tiger is a special one. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary since the exercise started in 1994. The fact that we have sustained this exercise for the past 30 years reflects the strong commitment by the three air forces towards this trilateral relationship."

The incoming Singapore Air Force Chief, Brigadier-General Kelvin Fan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul and Commander Pacific Air Forces, General Kevin B. Schneider will be officiating the exercise closing ceremony on 29 Mar 2024.

Since its inception in 1994, Exercise Cope Tiger has successfully enhanced the professionalism and defence relations between Singapore, Thailand and the United States, and promoted close rapport and mutual understanding amongst their personnel.

The RSAF's F-15SG fighter jet training with the USAF's F-35As, in its inaugural participation at Exercise Cope Tiger. Credit: Katsuhiko Tokunaga

Exercise participants from the RSAF, Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) planning for a flight mission at Exercise Cope Tiger 2024.

The RSAF's H225M Medium Lift helicopter flying over the training area in Korat.

Exercise Directors (from left) Colonel (COL) Jeffrey Shulman, USAF, Group Captain Aron Charusombat, RTAF, and COL Sebastian Chai at Korat Air Base, Thailand.