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Alaskan wing deploys to Singapore for Commando Sling

PACAF News

Release Date: 1/28/2004

By Capt. Johnny Rea 3rd Wing Public Affairs

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - A contingent from the 3rd Wing here deployed to the Republic of Singapore Jan. 24 to join that nation's air force in an annual air-to-air combat exercise.

About 75 people and six F-15 Eagles from the 19th Fighter Squadron are participating in exercise Commando Sling 04-2, which kicked off Monday and runs through Feb. 13.

The exercise will enable Elmendorf participants to sharpen 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, according to Lt. Col. Mark Henkel, 19th FS commander and leader of the U.S. contingent during the 19-day exercise.

"Training with our Pacific Rim allies allows us to share our tactics techniques and procedures in a training environment," he said. "Exercises like Commando Sling nurture solid relationships with nations in the region as we train side-by-side with their air forces. It also enhances the interoperability between air components of the United States and the Republic of Singapore air force, and promotes regional security and stability in the Asian Pacific area."

The annual Commando Sling series began in 1990 to provide valuable combined air combat training for U.S. Air Force and Republic of Singapore air force units.

The 3rd Wing is the sole U.S. representative for this exercise and will engage in dissimilar air combat training against the Singapore air force's aircraft, including F-5 Tigers, A-4 Skyhawks and F-16 Falcons.

"We always take advantage of an opportunity to interact with other countries to cross-flow unique maintenance practices and procedures," said Capt. Marc Walker, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's officer in charge for the exercise.

"Deploying aircraft and equipment is a complicated process," said Captain Walker. "Commando Sling allows the wing to hone its processes and exercise its non-U.S. base operating procedures."

Exercise participants said the milder weather in Singapore allows for a higher sortie rate than what the squadron experiences at Elmendorf this time of year.

"Alaska winters are extremely harsh, as is the hot and humid environment in Singapore," said Colonel Henkel. "This tests our ability to operate in both environmental extremes."

The temperature reached 89 degrees Fahrenheit in Singapore last week, while the high at Elmendorf was a brisk minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit for the same day, according to Capt. Todd Fine, 3rd Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight commander.

"Being near the equator, the temperatures in Singapore are constant and the weather is generally very predictable," he said. "Temperatures don't vary much from day to night, and thunderstorms generally occur in the late afternoon. This predictability leads to more flying, and less freezing."

"The aircraft will take a couple of days to adjust to the warmer climate," added Captain Walker. "We'll have to watch our folks for dehydration and sunburn, but we're ready to deploy and get away from the cold weather for awhile." (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)