CDF VISITS RSAF TROOPS IN AUSTRALIA

Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Major-General (MG) Perry Lim was in Australia for his working visit from 16 to 18 Nov. As part of his visit, MG Lim called on Chief of the Australian Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin in Canberra on 17 Nov. Accompanied by Director Joint Operations Brigadier-General (BG) Desmond Tan, MG Lim also visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) 130 Squadron (SQN) and Standards SQN at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Pearce in Perth on 18 Nov as part of his visit.

Both 130 SQN and the Standards SQN are part of the RSAF's Flying Training Institute (FTI). 130 SQN conducts the nine-month long Basic Wings Course, which equips potential RSAF pilots with the knowledge and skills of basic flying before they progress to advanced aircraft training. The Standards SQN ensures flying instructional standards and the promulgation of best practices within the FTI, and in the RSAF.

During the visit, MG Lim and BG Tan tried out a flight simulator which was part of 130 SQN's suite of ground-based training systems. The flight simulator could generate complex operational scenarios aimed at enhancing the RSAF pilot trainees' situational awareness and skills in aerial tactics. CDF also had the opportunity to fly on the Pilatus PC-21 trainer aircraft with the Commanding Officer of the Standards SQN, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lee Joon Guan.

MG Lim concluded the visit by interacting with the pilot trainees, instructors and ground crew deployed in Perth.