Singapore, Thailand and US Conclude Trilateral Air Exercise

Singapore's Chief of Air Force Major-General Hoo Cher Mou (left), Commander-in-Chief of the RTAF Air Chief Marshal Treetod Sonjance (centre), and Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces Major General Michael B. Compton co-officiating at the Closing Ceremony of Exercise Cope Tiger 2016.

Exercise Cope Tiger, a trilateral air exercise conducted by the air forces of Singapore, Thailand and the United States (US), came to a close today at Korat Air Base, Thailand. The closing ceremony was co-officiated by Singapore's Chief of Air Force Major-General Hoo Cher Mou, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force Air Chief Marshal Treetod Sonjance, and Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces Major General Michael B. Compton.

The exercise, the 22nd in its series, was 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 8 to 11 December 2015, while the second phase was a flying training exercise conducted at Korat Air Base, Thailand, from 7 to 18 March 2016.

This year's exercise involved 87 aircraft, 48 ground-based air defence systems and about 2,000 personnel from the participating nations. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s Heron-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Multi-Mission Radar also participated in the Exercise Cope Tiger series for the first time.

The RSAF Exercise Director for Exercise Cope Tiger 2016, Colonel Sim Peng Shin, highlighted the significance of the annual large-scale air exercise. He said, "Exercise Cope Tiger provides us with an excellent opportunity to train alongside our counterparts from Thailand and the United States. This trilateral air combat exercise allows us to hone our air combat readiness and operational capabilities as we engage in air defence and strike operations. This exercise also allows us to strengthen our close defence relations with Thailand and the US."

In addition, the exercise participants also took part in a two-day joint socio-civic programme, where they provided basic health and dental services to the local communities in the vicinity of Korat Air Base and Chandy Range.

Conducted annually since 1994, Exercise Cope Tiger seeks to enhance professionalism and interoperability among the participating forces, and promote closer rapport and mutual understanding among their personnel.

The RSAF, RTAF and USAF aircraft participating in a flying training exercise.

The Heron-1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is participating in Exercise Cope Tiger for the first time.