PROJECT ALTERNATE RUNWAY TAKES FLIGHT

Within a short span of about 20 minutes, an array of aircraft - ranging from the F-16 Fighting Falcons to the F-5 Tigers and the E2C Hawkeye - took to the skies and executed various manoeuvres and landings.

For the group of admiring spectators watching the event held on 30 Nov, it was a sight made even more impressive due to the fact that it was taking place not at your typical air base runway, but at Lim Chu Kang Road.

Since 1986, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has conducted periodic exercises which test its ability to transform public roads into viable runways fit for operations.

This year, 400 servicemen from the RSAF's Air Power Generation Command (APGC) were involved in the Alternate Runway Exercise, showcasing the flexibility and operational readiness of the air force.

Within 48 hours, the six-lane road was stripped bare of debris and obstacles such as road signs and railings, before being outfitted with special equipment such as the Mobile Air Traffic Control Tower and Portable Airfield Lighting System. These navigation aids help to guide pilots when landing and taking-off on the alternate runway.

Mobile Arrestor Gears were also installed to ensure the safe stop of aircraft in the event of any emergency.

Commenting on the challenge of operating from this 24m-wide stretch of road, F-16 pilot Captain (CPT) Ben Lim said: "Lim Chu Kang Road is about half the width of the usual runway, so we have to be more accurate and precise in terms of speed and when we're touching down."

E2C pilot CPT (NS) Lim Say Wei shared with cyberpioneer that despite these challenges, the team remained confident because extensive practice and preparation had ensured that they were "trained to land on any platform or runway, be it shorter or narrower".

Indeed, judging from the enthusiastic reaction of the guests witnessing the exercise, it was clear that the the RSAF had put up a fine show demonstrating its capability to effectively generate and deliver continuous air power.

Present at the event were Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Minister of State for Defence Professor Koo Tsai Kee, members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs (GPC-DFA), the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD), as well as grassroots leaders and defence attaches.

Viewing the exercise for the first time, Mr Jai Ganesh, a member of the Pasir Ris Zone 2 Residents' Committee, was "amazed" at the power of the aircraft.

"Operating from this alternate runway is a great move because it provides an extra route for the air force to take-off and launch," added the 19-year-old, who has aspirations of becoming a pilot.

"Watching this exercise means a lot to me, because I hope to be a part of this in the future," he said.

28 Nov 08 - Community support for Alternate Runway Exercise [cyberpioneer]
30 Nov 08 - Public Road Converted Into Alternate Runway [MINDEF News Release]