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8th FW supports Commando Sling

PACAF News

7/08/2003

By Tech. Sgt. Kelley Stewart 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Seventy-five people and six F-16s from the 8th Fighter Wing deployed to Singapore for Exercise Commando Sling July 2.

People from the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 8th Maintenance Squadron were sent to Paya Lebar Air Base to fly air-to-air sorties against dissimilar adversaries, including basic fighter maneuvers, air combat maneuvering, air combat training, and large force exercises.

Commando Sling is a Joint Chiefs of Staff funded and Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral exercise that runs through July 28.

According to U.S. Pacific Command, this exercise enables Air Force units to sharpen their air combat skills, improve procedures for sustained operations at a non-U.S. base, and promote closer relations between the two Air Forces and nations.

To get ready for this deployment, 35th FS pilots flew missions dedicated to the types that will be flown in Singapore. Most of those missions were flown during surge week about three weeks ago.

"We also received several academic briefs on the weapons and tactics we expect to see," said Maj. Denny Lewis, 35th FS assistant director of operations. "Pilot currencies also were updated for all the categories required to fly these types of missions."

Maintainers had to reconfigure the six F-16 Fighting Falcons going to Commando Sling. Members of the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 35th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Weapons Element had to download air-to-ground practice munitions and configure the aircraft for air-to-air munitions, said Tech. Sgt. Jason Hazlitt, 8th AMXS expediter.

Besides getting the aircraft to Singapore, people and equipment had to be moved as well. The group took eight pallets with 38 tons of cargo. The pallets and bulk of the TDY force departed in a KC-10 July 2.

Along with flying in unfamiliar air space, the other challenges being faced by Wolf Pack members on this TDY include performing ground and flying operations at an unfamiliar base, and flying against people with different training.

"It also will be hot and humid, which will make everyone's job a little more difficult," Major Lewis said.

The aircraft involved in this exercise also include Republic of Singapore air force F-5s, A-4s, E-2s and F-16s.

Commando Sling began in 1990 to provide combined air combat training for U.S. Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter units. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)