>>> Singaporean fighter pilot cited by respected aviation weekly
by Derek Yeo


"At one point, a simulated MiG aggressor, flying at low altitude, slipped through a blockade of F-15 Eagles and immediately went after an EA-6B in the blue force's backfield."

"An alert Singaporean F-16 pilot either spotted the simulated MiG or was directed to intercept it by an AWACs controller, shooting down the MiG and saving the high-value jammer aircraft."

MAJOR ONG SWEE Chuan, the 'alert Singaporean F-16 pilot' cited in this report by Aviation Week & Space Technology, had taken part in Exercise Red Flag. The United States Air Force held the exercise recently at Nellis Tactics and Training Range.

It is among the toughest air games conducted by North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's member nations. From anecdotal accounts, US war veterans testified that actual war-time operations were not as tough as Red Flag.

Major Ong, 34, with more than 1,300 F-16 flying hours to his credit, attributed his alertness to situational awareness honed by his years of experience.

In his stint at RSAF's 425th Squadron detachment, based at Luke Air Force Base - Arizona, he scored air ace ratings. The major beat his contemporaries in the range competition, finishing top in three of five categories. In US parlance, he is a 'Top Gun.'

The RSAF regularly deploys its servicemen in exercises with friendly countries - the United States, Britain, Australia, Sweden, among others - around the world. This enables the Singapore Armed Forces to stay agile, constantly improve its skills and performance. And also allows the SAF to benchmark itself against the world's best combat units.

For lack of training areas, limited airspace and national security reasons, Singapore maintains several long-term detachments around the world. These detachments, based in the US, Australia, Brunei, France and Taiwan, help to enhance the presence of and create 'space' for the tiny island city-state.

Major Ong and his detachment mates have done Singapore proud.