Singapore and Indonesia air forces conclude bilateral air exercises
PUBLISHED ONDecember 03, 2014 2:06 PM
SINGAPORE - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indonesia Air Force (TNI-AU) have concluded two bilateral exercises, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef).
Chief of Air Force, Major-General Hoo Cher Mou, and Chief of Staff TNI-AU, Air Chief Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia, co-officiated at the closing ceremony of Exercise Elang Indopura at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, Indonesia today.
This year's Exercise Elang Indopura is the 18th in the series.
The exercise comprised a Command Post Exercise from Nov 11 to 14 at Paya Lebar Air Base and an Air Manoeuvre Exercise from Nov 24 to Dec 4 at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base.
More than 150 personnel from the two air forces participated in the exercise, with the RSAF deploying five F-5S/T fighter aircraft and the TNI-AU deploying five Hawk 109/209 fighter aircraft.
As part of the exercise, a medical and dental team from the Singapore Armed Forces also provided basic health and dental services to the local community yesterday and last Monday.
Commander Fighter Group and RSAF Exercise Director Colonel Nalpon Patrick Selvan said: "The opportunity to train with our counterparts has enabled both air forces to strengthen our professional competencies. It has also allowed us to forge new friendships and deepen relations between the RSAF and TNI-AU."
The two air forces also conducted a bilateral maritime air surveillance exercise codenamed Exercise Camar Indopura, the 22nd in the series, from Nov 25 to 27 in Pekanbaru.
The RSAF participated with a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), while the TNI-AU participated with a CN-235 MPA.
Exercise Elang Indopura and Exercise Camar Indopura are excellent platforms to enhance professionalism and mutual understanding, and increase interoperability between the two air forces, said Mindef.
These bilateral exercises also underscore the strong and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Indonesia, added the ministry.
klim@sph.com.sg