RSAF in Air Combat Exercise with the US and Japanese Air Forces

An RSAF F-16 being refuelled by a USAF KC-135 aircraft during Exercise Red Flag - Alaska.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) participated in the United States Air Force (USAF)-hosted Exercise Red Flag - Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, United States, from 1 to 17 June 2016. The RSAF deployed 10 F-16C/D aircraft and 105 personnel from its Peace Carvin II Detachment in Arizona, United States, to participate in this air combat exercise together with more than 100 other aircraft, including the USAF's F-22, F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft and the E-3 airborne early warning aircraft, as well as the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)'s F-15 fighter aircraft and the KC-767 air-to-air refuelling aircraft. This is the third time the RSAF is participating in Exercise Red Flag - Alaska together with the USAF's F-22 aircraft.

Commenting on the RSAF's participation in Exercise Red Flag - Alaska, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Lim, RSAF Exercise Director for Exercise Red Flag - Alaska, said, "We are pleased to train with our USAF and JASDF counterparts in this large scale force employment exercise, which enhances our operational competencies in modern air combat. Leveraging on their stealth capabilities, the USAF's F-22s were able to take out the enemy's air defence fighters. The other fighters, including our F-16s, then penetrated the enemy's Integrated Defence System to strike the targets."

The RSAF first participated in Exercise Red Flag - Alaska in 1984 (then named Exercise Cope Thunder until its re-designation in 2006). This combat training exercise allows participants to execute air defence and strike operations in a realistic environment to enhance their combat readiness and operational capabilities. It enhances professionalism and interoperability among the participating forces, and provides the RSAF an opportunity to benchmark itself against other leading air forces. The exercise also underscores the excellent and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and the United States.