Singapore and Malaysian Air Forces Conduct Bilateral Exercise

The Search-and-Rescue Exercise (SAREX) Malsing participants from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in a discussion during the Command Post Exercise.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) are conducting a new bilateral exercise, the Search-and-Rescue Exercise (SAREX) Malsing, from 25 to 27 April 2018. The first edition of this exercise series is a Command Post Exercise, held at the Multinational Operations and Exercises Centre in the Changi Command and Control Centre.

The three-day exercise, involving Search-and-Rescue (SAR) planners from the RSAF and the RMAF, provides participants the opportunity to exchange professional knowledge on SAR operations and discuss tactical procedures for combined SAR missions. The exercise also includes a planning component for a simulated combined SAR mission. Through these discussions and sharing, the exercise aims to enhance the cooperation and interoperability between both air forces.

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Mervyn Tan and Chief of the RMAF General (GEN) Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hj Affendi bin Buang co-officiated at the opening ceremony of SAREX Malsing yesterday. Speaking at the opening ceremony, MG Tan said, "I believe that the conduct of SAREX Malsing represents another big step forward in the building of strong defence ties between our air forces. This exercise serves as an excellent platform to enhance the interoperability between our air forces, through professional exchanges of our respective SAR practices. More importantly, it promotes cooperation, trust and mutual understanding among our people, which will further strengthen our friendship moving forward."

Underscoring the close and long-standing defence relationship, GEN Affendi added, "I am fully confident that SAREX Malsing is a platform that shall benefit both air forces significantly in coordinating future bilateral activities and will be a testimony to the long-established friendship and camaraderie between the RMAF and the RSAF… I envisage great potential for this exercise and hope that it shall act as a catalyst for the evolution towards further cooperation and new avenues of bilateral activities, especially considering the current security challenges within our region."

The RSAF and the RMAF interact regularly across a wide range of activities, which includes bilateral visits and professional exchanges, as well as multilateral activities under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Mervyn Tan (left) and Chief of the RMAF General (GEN) Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hj Affendi bin Buang co-officiating at the opening ceremony of SAREX Malsing yesterday.

The RMAF exercise participants receiving a brief on the AS332 Super Puma's role in search-and-rescue operations.