RSAF Training Detachment Strengthens Australia-Singapore Defence Ties
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from June 24 to October 18 this year. The first detachment arrived on June 24 and was welcomed by Senior ADF Officer Wing Commander Greg Porche, who highlighted the importance of this cooperation.
“We welcome a new element of the Republic of Singapore Air Force to RAAF Base Pearce, which has established an aviation training presence here over the past 30 years,” said WGCDR Porche.
As part of the community engagement activities, a Community Stakeholder Day was held on June 28. This event allowed key members of the local community to view the RSAF aircraft and interact with RSAF personnel.
“The support of local communities during this training detachment is greatly appreciated by the Royal Australian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force,” WGCDR Porche said. “Hosting key members of the local community to view our aircraft and meet our personnel provides an important link between the base and local residents.”
Colonel Jonavan Ang, Commander Fighter Group of the RSAF, expressed gratitude for Australia’s support and friendship, which has enabled the fighter detachment.
“This detachment highlights the close and longstanding defence relationship between Singapore and Australia,” Colonel Ang said. “We are also very appreciative of the strong community support given to the Republic of Singapore Air Force over the years.”
Air Commodore Nick Osborne, Director General Preparedness – Air Force, emphasized the significance of the training detachment in bolstering the defence partnership between Australia and Singapore.
“Singapore has conducted military training in Australia for more than three decades,” AIRCDRE Osborne said. “Our two nations have a strong history of support for each other’s training, and access to each other’s training areas enhances our shared ability to strengthen regional security. The success of this training detachment will contribute to Singapore’s aviation capability, our regional security, and our two nations’ ability to work together in the future.”
I can only hope that the relations between singapore and Australia do not deteriorate the same way when the unit I was serving in in 1976 was told to leave singapore by the then Prime Minister (lee kwan yeu) after our Prime minister at the time (Gough Whitlam) was responsible for us getting booted out..