New Chief of Air Force Takes Command

Outgoing Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Hoo Cher Mou (left) handing over the command symbol to Incoming Chief of Air Force Brigadier-General (BG) Mervyn Tan Wei Ming (right) at the Change of Command Parade held at Tengah Air Base.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) welcomed its new Chief of Air Force (CAF) Brigadier-General (BG) Mervyn Tan Wei Ming this evening at a Change of Command Parade held at Tengah Air Base. At the parade, BG Tan received the Air Force command symbol from outgoing CAF Major-General (MG) Hoo Cher Mou. MG Hoo also reviewed a Guard of Honour and six marching contingents formed by servicemen and women from the various RSAF Commands. The parade featured static displays of the air and ground assets of the RSAF.

The new Chief of Air Force, BG Tan, 44, joined the SAF in 1990 and was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Training Award (Graduating) in 1992. In his military career, BG Tan held several senior command and staff appointments including Commanding Officer 121 Squadron; Head Air Plans Department; Commander Air Defence and Operations Command; and Director Military Intelligence (DMI) and Chief Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I). In his most recent appointment as DMI and Chief C4I, BG Tan played a key role in raising, training and sustaining the military intelligence community to ensure the SAF remains at the forefront of military intelligence amidst an evolving security environment. He also led the review and development of the RSAF's force structure and manpower establishment during his stint as Head Air Plans Department, which helped shape the RSAF today.

The outgoing CAF MG Hoo was appointed as CAF on 25 March 2013 and has served the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) with distinction since 1984. During his tenure as CAF, he ensured that the RSAF maintained high level of operational readiness and led the RSAF to an advanced stage of its 3rd Generation Transformation. MG Hoo introduced initiatives to position the RSAF for its future needs, specifically in the areas of training, engineering and people development. He also helmed the operationalisation efforts of key capabilities, such as the F-15SG fighter aircraft, advanced datalink network, as well as the Hermes 450 and Heron-1 UAVs. MG Hoo also forged greater cooperation between the RSAF and other air forces.

This change of command is part of the SAF's leadership renewal process. The parade was witnessed by Chief of Defence Force MG Perry Lim and attended by senior SAF officers, as well as servicemen and women from the RSAF.

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Speech by Chief of Air Force MG Hoo Cher Mou at the Chief of Air Force Change of Command Parade

MG Hoo Cher Mou inspecting the Guard of Honour contingent.

BG Mervyn Tan taking his oath as the new Chief of Air Force at the Change of Command Parade this evening.