Wolfpack in Singapore for Commando Sling

F-16s from the United States Air Force's 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing (the Wolfpack) have been flying out of Paya Lebar Airbase in Singapore, taking part in Exercise Commando Sling (12-3?) with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

It is unclear when the exercise began or when it is scheduled to end, but the Wolfpack's F-16s have been sighted operating out of Paya Lebar since early last week.

The Pantons of the 35th Fighter Squadron are normally based out of Kunsan, South Korea.

USAF-RSAF Commando Sling exercises to increase in complexity

U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet of VMFA-212 on the way back to MCAS Iwakuni from Singapore after a Commando Sling in 2003 (USMC Photo/LCPL John McGarity)

Singapore Defence Minister Dr. NG Eng Hen is current on his first official visit to the United States in his current portfolio, and in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, have agreed to "increase the complexity of existing bilateral exercises such as Exercise Commando Sling to enhance interoperability and promote greater cooperation between both armed forces" (U.S Department of Defence Press Release).

The annual Commando Sling series began in 1990 to provide combined air combat training for United States and Republic of Singapore Air Force combat aircraft units. Pilots on both sides hone their skills in various scenarios ranging from one-on-one dogfights to advanced Air Combat Manoeuvring (ACM) missions involving multiple aircraft and mixed flights over the South China Sea. The exercises enable pilots on both sides to sharpen their air combat skills, allow American units improve procedures to conduct air operations at a non-U.S. base, and enhance partnerships between participating air forces and nations.


Republic of Singapore Air Force pilots greet U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot Capt. Robert Hilby of the 13th Fighter Squadron, who has just arrived at Paya Lebar Airbase, Singapore for a Commando Sling exercise, March 2012 (USAF Photo)

During a Commando Sling exercise American units deploy to Singapore's Paya Lebar Airbase with 6-12 aircraft and 75-150 airmen, and are temporarily attached to the Paya Lebar-based 497th Combat Training Squadron for the duration of the exercise. Slings usually involve units from the Pacific Command, however during the heyday in the late 1990s, CONUS-based USAF F-15 and F-16 units, Air National Guard (ANG) and even Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) were also a regular sight in Singapore's skies, making the long trip to Paya Lebar to train with the RSAF. When the Royal Australian Air Force joins in, as they have done before on a number of occasions with F/A-18A/B Hornets, the exercise becomes Ex. Slingaroo.

In recent years Commando Sling exercises have been scaled back gradually with only three iterations conducted during FY2011, all involving the USAF's Pacific Air Forces units. This was in contrast to before, when up to six Slings took place annually. With the recent "pivot to Asia" announced by President Barack Obama, we should see a reversal of this downward trend. In fact, we may already have seen the start of the reversal in Dec 2011, when U.S Marine Harriers joined USAF F-16s and the RSAF in the first Commando Sling of FY12.

We can thus expect the tempo of Commando Slings start to increase again in the future, and with stateside USAF F-15/F-16 units deploying more regularly to South Korea, these units may start making appearances over Singapore skies. We may also hopefully see of U.S Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, on six-month rotations at Japan’s Marine Combat Air Station Iwakuni under the Unit Deployment Program, make the journey down south for Slings again after a hiatus of a few years.

Marine Harriers, USAF F-16s in Singapore for Commando Sling

AV-8B Harrier of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214 Blacksheep on board USS Makin Island (US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gene A. Ainsworth III)

Singapore's Paya Lebar Airbase is currently hosting United States Marine and Air Force AV-8B Harriers and F-16 Fighting Falcons for a Commando Sling exercise. The Harriers are drawn from Marine Attack Squadron 214 (VMA-214), more famously known as the Blacksheep, and are currently attached to the Red Dragons of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced). HMM-268 (Rein) is the Air Combat Element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) on board the USS Makin Island (LHD-8).

Eyes on the ground have reported that the USAF F-16s taking part are from the Flying Fiends of the 36th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Wing normally based at Osan, South Korea. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be represented by its F-5S/T Tiger IIs, F-15SG Strike Eagles and F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.

USS Makin Island is currently on a port visit to Changi Naval Base, Singapore. In addition to the Harriers taking part Commando Sling exercises in Singapore, embarked 11th MEU Marines will also be taking part small unit subject matter expert exchanges and training in an urban environment with the Singapore Armed Forces. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which also comprises of the USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor, is currently on a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East.

The annual Commando Sling series began in 1990 to provide combined air combat training for United States and Republic of Singapore Air Force combat aircraft units. Pilots on both sides hone their skills in various scenarios ranging from one-on-one dogfights to advanced Air Combat Manoeuvring (ACM) missions involving multiple aircraft and mixed flights over the South China Sea. The exercises enable air force units to sharpen their air combat skills, improve procedures to conduct air operations at a non-U.S. base, and enhance partnerships between participating air forces and nations.

Assuming my memory has not failed me, this is the first Commando Sling since the mid-to-late 1990s that have involved a Marine Harrier unit, and is also the first 3-cornered Sling for several years. Marine aviation assets have also not taken part in Commando Slings since 2008.

In recent years Commando Sling exercises have been scaled back gradually with only three iterations conducted during FY2011, all involving the USAF's Pacific Air Forces units. This was in contrast to their heyday in the late 1990s when up to six Slings happened annually. Although the exercises also mostly involved Pacific Command units, CONUS-based F-15 and F-16 units of the USAF, Air National Guard (ANG) and even Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) were also a regular sight in Singapore's skies, making the long trip to Paya Lebar to train with the RSAF.

With the recent drawdown in American forces from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, coupled with regional tensions involving China and an increased American force posture in the Asia-Pacific region, there is every likelihood that regional exercises involving American forces such as Commando Sling may increase in scope.

Ex Commando Sling 11-1 begins

The USAF's Pacific Air Forces has announced the start of the first of FY 2011's Commando Sling exercises with the Republic of Singapore AF. F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, are participating in the first iteration at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore. Other PACAF units will take part in two further iterations throughout 2011.

Fighting Cocks in Singapore for Commando Sling

The 67th Fighter Squadron, 18th Wing has deployed six F-15 Eagles and 77 men to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore for 2010's third iteration of the annual Commando Sling series of exercises with the Republic of Singapore Air Force. See US Pacific Command news release.