Media Room: Media Releases

AIR FORCE CHIEFS MEET AT RAAF PEARCE

The Australian and Singaporean Chiefs of Air Force have discussed ways to further enhance cooperation during a visit to RAAF Pearce near Perth.

Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, and Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Major General Ng Chee Khern, also met members of RAAF’s No. 2 Flying Training School and RSAF’s No.130 Squadron, which are based at Pearce.

“RAAF has a very well-established relationship with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.  This is demonstrated through our exercise program, both bilaterally and through the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA),” Air Marshal Binskin said.

“Elements of both countries’ Air Forces have just completed FPDA Exercise Bersama Lima, centred on the South China Sea.  Singapore also played a major part in Exercise Pitch Black at Darwin in June, sending F-16, F-5, E-2C and KC-135 aircraft.”

RSAF conducts a number of flying training activities in Australia, including its Basic Wings course at Pearce.  The sizeable Singaporean presence at Pearce includes more than 150 military and civilian personnel and 30 aircraft.

“This visit to RAAF and RSAF pilot-training facilities illustrates our focus on the future.  Both services have outstanding training staff and very promising young pilots based here.”

“A new Australia-Singapore Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation was signed in August 2008.  This provides the foundation for us to explore new opportunities for the future,” Air Marshal Binskin said.

As part of the visit, Air Marshal Binskin was taken for a flight in one of RSAF’s PC-21 trainer aircraft, while RAAF’s 2FTS flew Major General Ng in one of its PC-9s.

Media note: Images of Air Marshal Binskin and Major General Ng at RAAF Pearce are available at:  www.defence.gov.au/media/download

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664