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Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- Straits Times
Singapore, US navies conclude 12-day bilateral exercise in Guam
Exercise Pacific Griffin, held from June 7 to 18, was held in Guam and its surrounding waters. PHOTO: MINDEF SINGAPORE - The Singapore and US navies on June 18 concluded a 12-day bilateral exercise that was held in Guam and it s surrounding waters. It was the fifth edition of Exercise Pacific Griffin , which began on June 7, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on June 19 . The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN ) participated in the exercise with the Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme , with an embarked S-70B Seahawk naval helicopter , and the Independence-class littoral mission vessel RSS Sovereignty . The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) also participated with two Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and six F-16 fighter aircraft . The United States Navy (USN) participated with the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS William P. Lawrence, the T-AKE oiler USNS Charles Drew and a P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft . Naval divers from both navies also took part. During the exercise, both navies conducted a series of advanced naval warfare serials, including live missile and gunnery firings, as well as a simulated air defence exercise and simulated encounter exercises. The RSAF aircraft engaged in a series of sea-air missions, aimed at strengthening sea-air integration. Meanwhile, naval divers from the RSN took part in maritime explosive ordnance disposal and maritime counter-terrorism operations training. The RSN's Commander of First Flotilla, Colonel Daniel Ng Kok Yeng , said Exercise Pacific Griffin is 'a valuable opportunity' for both navies to enhance their mutual cooperation and understanding. 'The vast training space in the waters off Guam provides us with the opportunity to hone our war-fighting capabilities,' he added. Deputy Commodore of the USN's Destroyer Squadron 7, Captain John Baggett , said: 'We have a firm commitment to our partners in this region and a partnership with Singapore that spans nearly six decades. 'Pacific Griffin is one of many technologically robust training opportunities we participate in throughout the year that allows us to build dynamic competencies as an integrated maritime force.' Mindef said Exercise Pacific Griffin highlights the strong navy-to-navy relations between Singapore and the US, as well as the excellent and longstanding bilateral defence relations between both countries. Apart from bilateral exercises, both navies also engage in a wide range of activities, including professional exchanges, cross-attendance of courses and participation in multilateral exercises, added the ministry. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Singapore, Indonesia air forces mark 45 years of defence ties with Exercise Elang Indopura
RSAF and TNI AU F-16 aircraft conducting air-to-air refuelling with RSAF's A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Elang Indopura. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SINGAPORE – The air forces of Singapore and Indonesia are marking 45 years of defence relations with a joint exercise in Indonesia starting this week that involves more than 100 personnel. The biennial Exercise Elang Indopura is taking place from May 13 to 26 at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, conducted by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). More than 100 personnel from both sides, as well as four RSAF F-16C/D, one RSAF A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and two TNI AU F-16 aircraft, are participating in the two-week event, Mindef said in a statement on May 16. As part of the exercise, the F-16 fighter jets from both air forces conducted air-to-air refuelling with the A330 MRTT, and joint air-to-ground training at the Siabu Air Weapons Range in Indonesia. RSAF's exercise director, Colonel Jonavan Ang, said: 'The training exercise brings our aircrew and ground crew together to develop operational competencies, as well as strengthen the camaraderie amongst our people. It is an invaluable experience for all the participants, and I look forward to many such opportunities to deepen our bilateral cooperation.' Exercise Elang Indopura , which was inaugurated in 1980 , serves as an important platform to enhance the professionalism, cooperation and mutual trust between the two air forces, said Mindef. Aside from the training exercises, the RSAF and TNI AU also engage regularly in activities like cross-attendance of courses, professional exchanges and reciprocal visits. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Leaders
13-05-2025
- General
- Leaders
RSAF Takes Part in Anatolian Phoenix Exercise in Türkiye
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) is participating in the Anatolian Phoenix 2025 exercise, taking place at Konya Air Base in Türkiye, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Running from May 12-23, 2025, the Anatolian Phoenix is a multinational combat search and rescue exercises that aim to enhance combat efficiency and operational readiness. RSAF is taking part in the exercise, alongside forces of brotherly and friendly countries, with two Cougar helicopters and their entire air, technical and support crews. The Saudi participation also includes six air controllers. This aims to strengthen operational preparedness, provide training in a realistic operational environment, and foster expertise exchange among participants. The Anatolian Phoenix 2025 exercise aims to train participating forces on combat search and rescue operations, as well as training tactical air control teams on carrying tasks in coordination with systems of friendly nations taking part in the exercise. RSAF has just concluded its participation in the Desert Flag 2025 exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, a key joint exercise that aims to exchange expertise in the fields of planning and execution, enhance combat readiness, and strengthen relations with the forces of the participating countries. The Royal Saudi Air Force joined the drill with the F-15C aircraft system, with its entire air, technical and support crews. Joint military exercises, such as Anatolian Phoenix and Desert Flag, strengthen integrated coordination among national forces, develop capabilities and achieve mutual benefits to bolster national security. The participation of RSAF underscores its commitment to bolstering combat efficiency and operational readiness. Short link : Post Views: 19
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
After a heart condition ended his dreams of flying, he turned from airspace to architectural space
Mr Nikhkil is enrolled in Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Design (DES) program with a specialisation in Architecture. PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIKHKIL RAI After a heart condition ended his dreams of flying, he turned from airspace to architectural space The TL;DR: When a heart condition dashed Mr Nikhkil Rai's childhood dream of becoming a pilot, he found a new calling in architectural spaces, instead of airspace. Mr Nikhkil Rai had for a long time dreamed of soaring through the skies as a pilot in a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fighter jet. While other children played with toys or games, he immersed himself in videos of aircraft and pestered his uncle, who was a former RSAF pilot, with endless questions about flying. When he was 17, his hopes of becoming a pilot were dashed. During a pre-enlistment national service (NS) medical screening in 2020, he was flagged and eventually diagnosed with Brugada syndrome – a rare but potentially life-threatening condition which sees the lower chambers of the heart beat fast and irregularly. This increases the risk of fainting and sudden cardiac arrest. 'I felt numb. I could not believe that out of everyone, I would be unlucky enough to have this heart condition,' said Mr Nikhkil, who does not need to take medication for the condition, but attends annual check-ups to monitor his heart's electrical activity. His new passion is in a different kind of space, rather than airspace. The aspiring building information modeller enjoys using modelling software to see designs in a three-dimensional space, instead of two-dimensional floor plans. In May, Mr Nikhkil, 22, received the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, which is awarded to top graduates at polytechnics who had come from ITE. Going from ITE to a polytechnic, he found that the deadlines for assignments were tighter and there were more group projects and interviews he had to conduct. He said that it pushed him to improve his time management skills and become more outspoken when interacting with new people. He graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) with a diploma in design, specialising in architecture. 'Architecture became my creative outlet,' he said, after the diagnosis of his heart condition. 'It was a world to be explored.' To cope with the setback, he threw himself into his studies, first at ITE College Central, where he received a Nitec in architectural technology, and then at NP. Art and design interested him because they were related to his childhood ambition to be a pilot – he loved sketching planes. At the RSAF 55 Open House in September 2023, he gifted a hand-drawn picture of the McDonnell Douglas F-15SG Eagle fighter jet to Captain Gary Liang, the pilot who flew the aircraft. While studying at ITE, h e started seeing spaces differently, noticing areas that could be improved to support inclusivity. His designs started to become more wheelchair-friendly , as well as catered to the elderly and people with mobility issues. Mr Nikhkil's three-year diploma studies in design at Ngee Ann Polytechnic increased his passion for human-centric approach to architecture. PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIKHKIL RAI His three-year diploma studies in design at NP increased his passion for human-centric approach to architecture. For example, he learnt to consider the needs of different users of the building to decide on the amount of lighting that should be provided. Outside of school, he volunteers at grassroots events in Geylang, where he has noticed the struggles of the elderly around him like how they 'avoid places with only stairs,' and how 'noisy and crowded places can be stressful'. These observations remind him to include soundproof walls and grab bars for elderly-focused designs in the future. While Mr Nikhkil is looking forward to pursuing a bachelor's degree in architecture and eventually a career in building information modelling, flying continues to excite him. Mr Nikhkil presents his drawing of a McDonnell Douglas F-15SG Eagle fighter jet to Captain Gary Liang during the RSAF 55 Open House in September 2023. PHOTO: COURTESY OF NIKHKIL RAI But he has to be content with loving it from a distance. He continues attending open houses organised by the Singapore Youth Flying Club and RSAF, where he sketches aircraft models on display or simply appreciates their beauty. Mr Nikhkil said: 'Although it still hurts that I can't be a RSAF pilot, my love for aviation outweighs the pain. Anyway, I am happy with architecture.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Leaders
07-05-2025
- General
- Leaders
RSAF Strengthens Combat Readiness in Anatolian Phoenix 2025
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) announced its participation in the 'Anatolian Phoenix 2025' combat search and rescue exercise at Konya Air Base, Turkey. This multinational exercise includes forces from sister and friendly countries, aiming to enhance combat efficiency and operational readiness. Saudi fighter jets and Cougar helicopters, along with air controllers and technical crews, are actively involved in realistic training scenarios to simulate real-world operations. Deputy Commander of the RSAF, Major General Pilot Talal Al-Ghamdi, inspected the preparations of the participating group from King Khalid Air Base. The exercise provides an opportunity to exchange expertise, improve coordination, and develop advanced tactics and techniques. #القوات_الجوية تشارك في تمرين البحث والإنقاذ القتالي «عنقاء الأناضول 2025» في قاعدة كونيا الجوية بجمهورية تركيا إلى جانب قوات عدد من الدول الشقيقة والصديقة. — وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) May 6, 2025 Desert Flag 2025: RSAF's Continued Participation In addition to Anatolian Phoenix, RSAF is participating in the Desert Flag 2025 joint exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE. Six F-15C fighter jets, supported by full air, technical, and support crews, engage in this regional drill. The exercise focuses on exchanging military expertise, enhancing combat readiness, and executing operations in environments resembling real warfare. Desert Flag 2025 includes air forces from 13 nations, fostering collaboration and mutual learning. RSAF's involvement underscores its commitment to strengthening regional security and maintaining operational excellence. Enhancing National Security through Joint Exercises Joint Ministry of Defense exercises like Anatolian Phoenix and Desert Flag play a crucial role in deterring threats and defeating aggression. These drills promote defense and security cooperation domestically and internationally, ensuring Saudi Arabia's security against external threats. Additionally, they enhance integrated coordination with national forces, developing capabilities and achieving mutual benefits to bolster national security. The RSAF's active participation in Anatolian Phoenix 2025 and Desert Flag 2025 highlights its dedication to improving combat efficiency and operational readiness. These exercises not only strengthen Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities but also foster international cooperation, ensuring stability and security in the region. Short link : Post Views: 35
