FIGHTER JETS TAKE OFF FROM LIM CHU KANG ROAD IN ALTERNATE RUNWAY EXERCISE

Fighter aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) took to the skies from Lim Chu Kang Road in a military exercise code-named Torrent on 13 Nov.

The 2.5km stretch of highway had been cleared and converted to an improvised airstrip to allow the fighter pilots to practise launching and landing their aircraft on public roads.

The exercise involved a total of twelve fighter aircraft - four F-15SGs, four F-16C/Ds and four F-16D+s.

These aircraft took off and landed simultaneously from Lim Chu Kang Road as well as three runways at the nearby Tengah Air Base. They were done in quick succession at intervals of three to ten seconds.

This year's Exercise Torrent was the seventh in the series since it started in 1986. It marked the first time that the F-15SGs, the latest fighter aircraft in the RSAF, took part in the exercise.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who observed the exercise, said the successful drill demonstrated the ability of the RSAF in ramping up its capacity to launch and recover additional aircraft.

"This capability to launch twelve fighter jets - F-15SGs, F-16s, (with) the F-15SGs for the first time - off Lim Chu Kang Road shows that we can convert a highway to an airstrip," said Dr Ng. "It gives us a lot of confidence that we are able to protect our skies under all conditions."

Exercise director Brigadier General (BG) Gan Siow Huang, who is the commander of Air Power Generation Command, added that the ability to launch and land fighter aircraft rapidly has great significance for an operational air force.

"The faster and the more aircraft you can launch in a short period of time, the more air power you can bring to defend Singapore," she explained.

Overcoming challenges

The F-15SGs, which were taking part in the exercise for the first time, are heavier than the F-16s. Air Force engineers needed to ensure that Lim Chu Kang Road could withstand the load of the twin-engine aircraft.

As for the pilots, landing on a public road required them to fly with even greater precision. Lim Chu Kang Road is only 24m wide - significantly narrower than the 46m-wide runway in Tengah Air Base.

"We don't have much margin for error," said Lieutenant Colonel Tan Hwee Roy, an F-16 pilot. "If we are off to the left or right... we might go off the runway if we're not careful."

During the exercise, the RSAF also practised using the Mobile Arrestor Gear System (MAG) to bring an F-16 with a simulated braking failure to halt.

Rapid conversion

The RSAF worked closely with national agencies such as the Land Transport Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Police Force to covert Lim Chu Kang Road into a runway.

In less than 48 hours, 110 Air Force personnel converted the road into an operational airstrip. They removed 12 bus stops, 14 traffic lights, 153 lamp posts, 58 road signs, and 1.2km of guard rails.

They also installed a mobile air traffic control tower, portable airfield lights, distance markers, and precision approach path indicators.

As part of the exercise scenario, security troopers set up a perimeter and conducted round-the-clock patrols to secure the makeshift runway.

NSmen

Chairman of Governmental Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Vikram Nair, who observed the exercise, noted that it was not only the Regulars who were putting their skills to the test in the exercise, but also the Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen).

Nearly 1,000 personnel were involved in the exercise, and about half were NSmen.

Noting the significance of their contributions, Mr Vikram said: "It's a big effort. They have to take down the bus stops, the traffic lights, and convert (the road) to a runway.

He added: "It's an operational runway as demonstrated in this exercise. This is important because it allows more aircraft to take off or to land (depending on what) the situation calls for."

Among the NSmen participants was Captain (NS) Kentrick Low, an Air Warfare Officer (Command, Control, and Communications). He felt that the simultaneous launching of aircraft from four runways helped to sharpen his proficiency as an air traffic controller.

"As an NSman, I help (with) the manpower that is needed for the increase in (the number of) runways," said the 31-year-old, who is a lecturer in Nanyang Polytechnic.

"We are running four different runways, so there is an increase in complexity. Being in this exercise has increased my knowledge."