RUNWAY READY ROAD

Every five to six years since 1986, the six-lane Lim Chu Kang Road literally sees much heavier traffic than usual in the form of fighter planes.

PIONEER goes on site for the sixth edition of the Alternate Runway Exercise to find out what it takes for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to transform a major public road into a viable runway fit for operations.

Speeding down the stretch of tarmac, an F-16 Fighting Falcon ascends in a burst of heat and noise. Within a brief span of about 20 minutes, an array of aircraft which also includes F-5 Tigers and an E2C Hawkeye, takes to the skies and executes various manoeuvres.

For the appreciative spectators watching the Alternate Runway Exercise held on 30 Nov, it was a sight to behold, especially since the action was unfolding not at your typical air base, but at Lim Chu Kang Road.

To optimise land usage in a nation with tight space constraints, the RSAF has maximised its number of available runways by utilising Singapore's existing public infrastructure. And regular exercises such as this both test and reinforce the RSAF's capability to deliver timely and uninterrupted air power at all times.

The Alternate Runway Exercise showcases the flexibility and operational readiness of the Air Force in the launch and recovery of aircraft as and when the need arises under both normal circumstances and during emergencies.

This year, 400 servicemen from the recently inaugurated Air Power Generation Command (APGC) and Air Combat Command (ACC) were involved in the exercise.

AMS personnel dismantling one of four bus stops along the road in preparation for the exercise.

Preparing for the jets

Broad and straight, Lim Chu Kang Road possesses the basic dimensions to function as an improvised runway when required. Turning it into a track that conforms to operational flying safety standards, however, is not as simple as one may think.

First, troops from the Field Defence Squadron, Military Police and Singapore Police Force worked together to secure the exercise area and regulate human and vehicular traffic in the vicinity. Captain (NS) Tang Poh Kee, Officer Commanding, Alternate Runway Flight, elaborated that 24-hour foot patrols were despatched to look out for suspicious intruders and vehicles.

As an Operationally Ready National Serviceman (NSman) recalled for the exercise, CPT (NS) Tang told PIONEER that he was glad NSmen were being given more active roles in such major exercises.

He said: "It has brought the NSmen and regulars closer, and we really feel like we're making a contribution to the nation as a whole."

The MAG serves as a safety device to stop planes in the event of an emergency.

In preparation for the exercise, comprehensive planning and close coordination with various external agencies such as the Land Transport Authority, Public Utilities Board and National Environment Agency were crucial in facilitating the transformation of the road.

As one of the key drivers in the transformation of road to runway, the APGC's Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS) worked closely with local contractors and these agencies in the removal of fixtures such as lamp posts, road signs and drain railings.

Besides road resurfacing and repair prior to the exercise, FOD (Foreign Object Debris) Killers were deployed daily to sweep the area clean of irregularities, thereby ensuring that the runway would be smooth. Even seemingly insignificant objects as small as a five-cent coin can have a detrimental effect upon an aircraft's performance if it is sucked into the engine, revealed Lieutenant-Colonel Chan Kim Hoong, Commanding Officer AMS.

After stripping the 2.5km stretch of road of all debris and obstacles, it was then outfitted with special equipment such as the Portable Airfield Lighting System. These navigation aids provide visual cues to guide pilots when landing and taking-off.

Explained Staff Sergeant Jagdis s/o Robin, a senior technician from AMS: "These airfield lightings are extremely important when there's poor visibility, bad weather and especially during night sorties."

To ensure the safe stopping of aircraft in the event of an emergency, Mobile Arrestor Gears (MAG) were also installed. If required, planes can "hook" on to a cable laid across the runway and linked to the gears, which act as brakes that bring the aircraft to a slow halt.

Pinpoint manoeuvres

Another critical piece of equipment that had to be set up was the Mobile Air Traffic Control (MATC) Tower. This acted as a coordinating body to effectively manage air traffic in real
time. Positioned midway along the runway, the control cabin was raised 4m off the ground, providing personnel from the Flying Support Squadron (FSS) with a bird's eye view of the exercise area.

Commenting on the challenge of guiding pilots in such an exercise, Weapon Systems Officer Lieutenant (NS) Hue Tse Leong, a controller from FSS, said: "This is a new and different environment compared to an air base, so familiarity is definitely an issue. But we practised a lot...so once we became used to it, it was business as usual."

According to Fighter Weapon Instructor and F-16 pilot, CPT Ben Lim, operating from the alternate runway requires a high level of skill and proficiency as the 24m-wide stretch of road is less than half the width of a conventional runway.

This means there is less margin for error and they have to be even more precise in terms of speed and when landing the aircraft.

Extensive training, however, enabled the pilots to "land on any platform or runway, be it shorter or narrower", shared CPT (NS) Lim Say Wei, who flew the E2C Hawkeye during the exercise.

Spreading its wings, the E2C Hawkeye prepares to launch.

An F-5 Tiger deploying a yellow drag-chute as it lands on Lim Chu Kang Road.

Mr Teo and COL Tan Kah Han, Commander APGC, chatting with grassroots leaders after the exercise.

Making the cut

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

The RSAF's versatility was showcased as they operated from a multi-platform environment, with some of the aircraft simultaneously launched and recovered from the runway at Tengah Air Base, which is parallel to Lim Chu Kang Road.

Present at the event were Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and Minister of State for Defence Professor Koo Tsai Kee.

Other observers included members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence, as well as grassroots leaders and defence attaches.

Among them was Mr Boon Pang Chet, a grassroots leader from the Hong Kah North constituency, who has also witnessed the past two Alternate Runway Exercises.

Sharing his thoughts about observing the capabilities of the RSAF first-hand, Mr Boon said in Mandarin: "I think it's very creative that a road can have dual purposes and that we can transform it into a runway for the Air Force when necessary."

The 58-year-old summed it up best when he concluded: "We may be a small nation, but the world-class force we have gives me a great sense of security."

Various measures such as the distribution of brochures with details on road closures helped to inform the general public about the exericise in advance.

Community Support

The preparation and conduct of flying activities during the Alternate Runway Exercise necessitated the closure of some roads in the Lim Chu Kang vicinity from 27 Nov to 1 Dec. In order to minimise any potential inconvenience, much was done in advance to keep the general public informed.

On 15 Nov, 55 grassroots leaders from the nearby constituencies attended a briefing held at Tengah Air Base to learn more about what the exercise would involve.

The chairman of Pasir Ris Zone 2 Residents' Committee, Mr Rajendran, said: "Personally, I think it should be done more often. At the end of the day, the inconvenience is nothing compared to the safety and security of the nation."

In the lead-up to the exercise, door-to-door visits were also organised to prepare and seek the cooperation of residents and business owners in the area.

Mr Chew Eng Hoe, the Managing Director of Chew's Agriculture Pte Ltd and Chew's Poultry Farm Brother Company, was visited by Commander Tengah Air Base, Colonel David Wong and personnel from the Ministry of Defence and the RSAF, on 17 Nov.

"This whole initiative to come down and talk to us is great because it lets us know what is going on and informs us in advance of all the timings when the roads will be closed. This really helps us in making arrangements to avoid any problems with our business," Mr Chew said in Mandarin.

Other measures taken to keep the public updated included the distribution of brochures providing details about road closures and alternative routes to take. Notices were also put up at nearby bus stops and terminals, while sign boards were erected along the roads leading to the exercise area.

Mr Chew Eng Hoe, the Managing Director of Chew's Agriculture Pte Ltd and Chew's Poultry Farm Brother Company, was visited by Commander Tengah Air Base, Colonel David Wong and personnel from the Ministry of Defence and the RSAF, on 17 Nov.

"This whole initiative to come down and talk to us is great because it lets us know what is going on and informs us in advance of all the timings when the roads will be closed. This really helps us in making arrangements to avoid any problems with our business," Mr Chew said in Mandarin.

Other measures taken to keep the public updated included the distribution of brochures providing details about road closures and alternative routes to take. Notices were also put up at nearby bus stops and terminals, while sign boards were erected along the roads leading to the exercise area.