Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) largest-ever makeshift heli-airbase exercise

Photo - Singapore Mindef

The aftermath of a natural disaster is often a sobering sight to behold, be it a tsunami or an earthquake. To prepare better for providing assistance in such scenarios, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) conducted a helicopter outfield deployment exercise between 29 Sep and 3 Oct.
The main aim of the exercise was to rehearse the set-up and maintenance of an operational airbase in an outfield environment, so as to hone the skills needed for operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions where airfields may not be readily available.
This helicopter outfield deployment exercise was the largest-ever conducted by the RSAF, involving 1,190 personnel, among which 540 were Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), and 10 helicopters. The exercise involved the RSAF taking over Sembawang Country Club and Yishun Reclaimed Land to set up makeshift airbases.

Operating in an outfield environment posed unique challenges. Said exercise participant Captain (CPT) Gurdeep Kaur Gill, Air Warfare Officer (C3) from 206 Squadron (SQN): "When in base, we tap on technology to assist us in air traffic control, but when outfield, we have to revert to the basics.
"For example, we exercise more procedural control (a method of air traffic control without the use of radar, where the controller must maintain a mental picture to ensure separation between aircraft) to combat the issue of limited field of view."Yet, operating in the outfield environment allowed for many skills and processes to be sharpened. CPT Gurdeep added: "It strengthens our launch and recovery capabilities and allows us to hone our control and technical competencies when operating in an out-of-base environment."This ensures that the RSAF is able to respond effectively and swiftly to operations…such as HADR ones."

The RSAF conducted helicopter outfield deployments to Farrer Park, during the aftermath of the Hotel New World collapse in 1986, and to Timor-Leste in support of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor in 2000.The large scale of the exercise also allowed the RSAF to train greater operational cohesion among multiple squadrons and units. In order to maintain an airbase, tight coordination is necessary among six different squadrons - 206 SQN for launch and recovery; 506 SQN for platform operability; 606 SQN for force protection; 706 SQN for logistics and medical services; 806 SQN for aircraft operational maintenance; and 816 SQN for aircraft specialist maintenance.

ME1-2 (NS) Tony Chan, an Air Force Engineer from 806 SQN, said: "This exercise has widened my horizons. I got to see the different parts of the RSAF, because through this exercise we got to work closely with our different counterparts."Another notable fact about this exercise is that it involved a large proportion of NSmen. Speaking on the importance of involving NSmen in the exercise, Major (MAJ) (NS) Thian Zhiwen, Deputy Commanding Officer of 606 SQN, said: "We want to instil that sense of belonging."Outfield helicopter detachment commander Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Sam Pang is also an NSman. In this appointment, LTC Pang has command and control over all ground operations within the makeshift base at Yishun Reclaimed Land.Summarising what the exercise meant to him, LTC (NS) Pang said: "Our air power generation capability (the capability to sustain airbase operations and logistics support for aircraft) has come a long way. Through this exercise, I've learnt that the processes and systems are very much in place."