Interaction a highlight of exercise

By FLTLT Simon Paton

CAPT Lee Li Hwee, a weapons officer, in front of a E-2C Hawkeye aircraft after a mission.

Photo by CPL Michele Lucraft

FOR Singaporean weapons systems officer Captain Lee Li Hwee, the opportunity to participate in Pitch Black was an enormously rewarding and exciting one.

Having received basic and operational Ground Intercept training, Captain Lee plays a valuable role as a member of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

She serves in No. 111 Squadron on board the Lockheed E2C Hawkeye, Singapore’s tactical Airborne Early Warning and Control platform, as an airborne control intercept controller. “We play a pretty important role in bringing the aircraft together over the battlefield,” CAPT Lee said.

Unlike other PB04 players, such as the F-16, F/A-18 and F- 111 aircraft, the Tracker did not participate in the heat of battle. It remained at a sufficient distance to assess the nature of the battle and bring the “hostile” force right to the defenders.

CAPT Lee conceded that her aircraft was one of the battle’s most important assets and, as a consequence, one of the most sought-after kills.

She regarded the experience as “a highly worthwhile component of training for every contingency”. “Pitch Black is always a complex and sophisticated air warfare exercise,” she said.

The highlight of PB04 for her was the opportunity to interact with other nations and to hone her capabilities alongside the Thai, French and Australian participants.

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