RSAF SETS UP THIRD COMMAND

The challenges and demands of today's complex battlefield require integrated solutions that combine air, land and sea forces.

Soon, the Singapore Armed Forces' land and naval operations will benefit from integrated air power provided by the Participation Command (PC).

The PC is the third command to be launched by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) under its restructuring plan, which began a year ago.

To support ground and maritime missions, this command will oversee the development and operational readiness of the RSAF's helicopters, divisional ground-based air defence systems and tactical air support agencies.

These air elements will work most closely with Army and Navy units on air-land and air-sea operations.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Desmond Kuek officiated at the inauguration parade on 4 Jan at Sembawang Air Base, where he unveiled the new and updated logos of the PC and its groups.

The PC, said LG Kuek, "will enhance the level of integration between the RSAF and the other Services, with the view to being more than a participant, but an integral player in the other Service's domain".

"To fundamentally change the way that air power is generated and delivered will require the transformation journey to also take on new challenges in developing fresh concepts with new advanced technologies and processes," added LG Kuek.

To this end, it will "take in assigned assets from other commands" and "integrate these cross-functional capabilities as part of the ops development for air participation".

The Air Combat Command and the Air Power Generation Command, the RSAF's remaining two commands, will be set up later in the year.