Singapore and Brunei Mark 20th Anniversary of Bilateral Air Defence Exercise

Republic of Singapore Air Force Chief of Air Force Major-General Hoo Cher Mou (centre) and Royal Brunei Air Force Commander Brigadier-General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip (right) sealing the time capsule at the closing ceremony.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is participating in a bilateral air defence exercise, codenamed Exercise Airguard, from 29 September to 14 October 2014 at Bukit Agok Range, Brunei. Hosted by the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), this year's exercise is the twentieth in the series and involves more than 60 personnel and six Mistral Ground-Based Air Defence systems from the RSAF and RBAirF. To commemorate the occasion, the RSAF Chief of Air Force, Major-General Hoo Cher Mou, and Commander of the RBAirF, Brigadier-General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip, officiated at the closing ceremony this morning at Rimba Air Base, Brunei. Senior officials from the two air forces also attended the ceremony.

Conducted since 1994, the exercise allows participants to execute air defence operations to enhance their combat readiness and operational capabilities. Commander of Divisional Air Defence Group and the RSAF Exercise Director Colonel (COL) Joseph Tan led the RSAF delegation this year. He said, "We value the opportunity to train alongside our Bruneian counterparts regularly in the air defence exercise as it not only hones our air defence proficiency and enhances our interoperability, but also deepens the close and long-standing relationship between the RSAF and RBAirF."Besides Exercise Airguard, the RSAF and RBAirF also interact regularly through a variety of activities, including visits, professional exchanges and courses, which strengthen the close defence relations between the two air forces.

Personnel from the Singapore and Bruneian air forces interacting during the exercise.

MG Hoo (centre) and BG (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip (second from left) at the Training Range at Exercise Airguard.

MG Hoo (second from right) and BG (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip (right) interacting with personnel in Exercise Airguard.

Personnel from the Singapore and Bruneian air forces interacting during the exercise.