AGENTS OF SHIELD

may19-fs2-hero https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/may19-fs2-hero.jpg?sfvrsn=1bb796b7_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/AGENTS-OF-SHIELD
AGENTS OF SHIELD https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/AGENTS-OF-SHIELD
30 Apr 2019 | OPS & TRAINING

AGENTS OF SHIELD

What happens if a commercial plane has been hijacked by terrorists and is heading towards Singapore? Exercise Vigilant Shield, held on 14 Mar, tests the coordinated efforts of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in tackling such threats from the air.

// Story Benita Teo

// PHOTOS Kenneth Lin & courtesy of RSAF

English 华文
1-UP-B-caption

1

A passenger on board a commercial aircraft en route to Singapore attempts to hijack the plane, threatening the passengers and crew on board.

 

1-UP-B-caption

2

The pilots (left) send out a distress signal, which is quickly picked up by (above, from left) the CAAS, RSAF and SPF.

 

1-UP-B-caption

3

Troops on the ground are swiftly activated: the RSAF’s fighter pilots (top) scramble for deployment, and the I-HAWK (left) and RBS-70 Ground-Based Air Defence systems (centre) are poised and ready. SPF officers get into position (right).

 

1-UP-B-caption

4

After intercepting the aircraft, two F-16s escort it to land at Changi Air Base. They continue to keep a close watch from the air as it taxis on the runway.

 

1-UP-B-caption

5

Once the aircraft comes to a stop, police officers dash out to cordon it and the relevant security agencies take over.

 


 

“When a threat situation occurs, we must make sure the information flow between the various agencies remains robust and tight, so that the appropriate ground action can be carried out when we land the aircraft.”

QUOTE-B-credit

“This exercise was critical in helping our officers practise these processes and make sure that the communication, coordination and movement of officers are in line with our plans.”

QUOTE-B-credit

 


 

Always Ready

Exercises such as Vigilant Shield are important for keeping Singapore’s security forces ready to tackle actual incidents.

On the morning of 26 Mar, a Singapore Airlines (SQ) flight from Mumbai reported a bomb threat. F-16 pilots Major (MAJ) Jireh Ang and Captain (CPT) Jonathan Ow were scrambled within minutes to escort Flight SQ423 to land safely in Changi Airport. A search of the plane later found no suspicious items.

While up in the air, the fighter pilots had to communicate with the plane, which was carrying 263 passengers, and carefully observe the situation.

“Once we had successfully intercepted the Singapore Airlines aircraft, we established communications with the pilots through the assigned radio frequency…We also got the pilots’ visual attention, and at the same time, we were able to observe if there were any abnormal activities within the cockpit and the cabin,” said MAJ Ang, a fighter pilot from 143 Squadron (SQN).

“Our regular and rigorous training has ensured that we are always ready for the task when called upon.”

A similar incident happened in April 2018, when two RSAF F-15SG jets were scrambled to escort a Scoot flight headed for Hat Yai, Thailand, back to Singapore when a passenger reported a false bomb threat.

MAJ Ang (third from left) and CPT Ow (third from right), together with their team from 143 SQN.
Suggested Reading
Cover story
WELCOME TO CAMP TILPAL
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

How do you house some 6,000 people and feed them for three months? You build a pop-up “city” – complete with accommodations and the basic comforts of home – for the thousands of SAF soldiers who train annually in Queensland, Australia.

Cover story
FIGHTING AS ONE AT EXERCISE TRIDENT
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Singapore’s army, navy and air force work together with Australian troops to capture targets in both jungle and urban warfare.

Cover story
THEY LIFT UP OUR BIG GUNS
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Get up close with the men and machines of 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (24 SA), who provide a boost to our gunners to make sure they are always on time and on target.

COMMAND & STAFF COLLEGE GRADUANDS READY TO TAKE ON SENIOR LEADERSHIP ROLES
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

NS has left indelible memories for these SAF pioneers from the 8th Engineers Officer Cadet batch, who celebrate their 50th anniversary since they were commissioned in 1974.

Super Puma flight tales
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Retired helicopter pilot MAJ (Ret) Robert Tan was among the first few batches of locally-trained Super Puma pilots. Sports car or smooth bus – guess which vehicle he likens the aircraft to?

Total Defence is a duty of every Singapore business
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

Having experienced the demanding commitments of National Service, LTC (NS) Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin and Mr Gaurav Keerthi share why it’s so important for every Singapore business to support their NSmen.

Feature
He scaled a volcano with OCS mates & wrote a book about NS
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

LTC (NS) Leow Kah Shin and his NS buddies go on an annual “Exercise Longwalk” as a commitment to do something adventurous together.

Charting their path in the skies
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

From passion to flight: Students Cherie Goh and Alexey Cher fulfilled their childhood aspirations to attain their “wings”.

CSL_4657
Armour visit Dad at work!
OPS & TRAINING
30 Apr 2019

In this year’s PIONEER Kids special, MAJ Justin Tan brings his three children – Danielle, Thaddeus and Asher – on a military adventure at the Home of the Armour.