COORDINATED AIR DEFENCE AGAINST TERROR

1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/1e58a1bf2-077c-447c-a9a0-71b9a141d481.jpg?sfvrsn=e6436ce9_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/COORDINATED-AIR-DEFENCE-AGAINST-TERROR
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/COORDINATED-AIR-DEFENCE-AGAINST-TERROR
COORDINATED AIR DEFENCE AGAINST TERROR
14 Mar 2019 | OPS & TRAINING

COORDINATED AIR DEFENCE AGAINST TERROR

// Report by Benita Teo

// Photos by Kenneth Lin and courtesy of RSAF

A distress call has been received by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). A commercial aircraft has been hijacked by terrorists and is en route to Singapore. The terrorists threaten to blow up the aircraft and kill all the passengers and crew on board.

The Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) Air Defence Task Force (ADTF) immediately kicks into high gear. Two F-16 C/D fighter jets are scrambled and deployed to investigate.

On the ground, an I-HAWK and two RBS-70 Ground-Based Air Defence systems are primed and ready.

The F-16s locate the hijacked aircraft and successfully escort it to Changi Air Base, keeping a close eye from the air until it comes to a complete stop. Singapore Police Force (SPF) officers are already in position to cordon it off.

This was the scenario played out during Exercise Vigilant Shield, which was conducted by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) on 14 Mar. The exercise tests the coordinated response by the RSAF, SPF and CAAS in defending Singapore against a simulated hijacked aircraft.

The exercise was witnessed by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Heng Chee How, who reiterated that Singapore remains a terrorist target and that security forces must remain robust to tackle the evolving threats: "On the part of the (security) forces, we monitor very closely all the developments, whether in technology, equipment, (or) methods of operation. And we will develop the capabilities in tandem with these changes and make sure that we are on top of them."

Noting previous hijacking incidents that had occurred in Singapore, such as the hijacking of Singapore Airlines flight SQ117 in 1991, Mr Heng said that evolving methods used by terrorists were worrying but also "cause us to want to be ever vigilant, and to coordinate among the different forces – not only those within the SAF…but also with related agencies such as the Police and CAAS, to make sure that our reflexes are honed and we are able to respond resolutely, swiftly, decisively."

This is the third iteration of the exercise, which tests the RSAF's capabilities in responding to transnational terrorist threats from the air. It was previously conducted in 2014 and 2016.

While the exercise scenarios always involve the hijacking of a civil aircraft, the response may be different. Thus it is important for the agencies to work together to test their linkages, said Exercise Vigilant Shield 2019 Chief Planner Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Zanna Lee. 

"When a threat situation occurs in the air, we must make sure that 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…

"All these agencies play an important part in how we orchestrate our air defence and protect the sovereignty of Singapore and the safety of our people. This exercise allows us to oil all these processes and linkages, to ensure that everyone keeps current of how we do things," said the 43-year-old Air Warfare Officer.

She added that this year's exercise also reflected the future expansion plans of Changi Airport, and took into consideration increased air traffic and the safety of nearby civil aircraft during operations.

Superintendent Chong Chung Meng, Head Operations, Airport Police Division, agreed. "Nothing beats having a real exercise to ensure that the agencies are able to coordinate, because on the ground there may be some differences in understanding. 

"This exercise was critical in helping our officers to practise these processes to make sure that the comms, coordination and movement of officers are in line with the plans. And together with our RSAF counterparts, we are able to ensure that our response is swift and to the point of where we want them to be," said the 41-year-old.

Exercises such as this are crucial in preparing the forces for real threats and operations, said Captain (CPT) Spencer Lee. The Air Warfare Officer was the Air Defence Coordinator for the Scoot TR634 incident in April 2018. Two RSAF F-15SG jets were scrambled to escort the plane, headed for Hat Yai Thailand, back to Singapore when a passenger reported a false bomb threat.

"These exercises are important so that we can continue to work with one another and identify potential gaps and address them properly, and address the security challenges that we may face in the future," said the 32-year-old, who is now a Staff Officer in the Air Warfare Centre.

"We should never take for granted the peace that we have today. We need to safeguard our interests (and) security, and this can be done through regular exercises."

Suggested Reading
Cover story
WELCOME TO CAMP TILPAL
OPS & TRAINING
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 2019

1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
OPS & TRAINING
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 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
14 Mar 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.