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At Trump-Kim summit, RSAF showed the world it was operationally ready: PM Lee
SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) stepped up to the challenge of US President Donald Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and showed the world it was operationally ready, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the RSAF50 Parade on Saturday (Sep 1).
Speaking at Tengah Air Base, PM Lee, who was the guest of honour at the parade, cited the summit as one of the "extraordinary circumstances" that required RSAF officers to answer to the call of duty at short notice.
"The RSAF showed the world during the Summit that you are operationally ready," said Mr Lee. "You were tasked to defend our skies by forming a protective 'dome' over Singapore.
"You had more than 20 aircraft in the air or ready to take off, at any moment; more than 10 ground-based air defence systems stood guard, and unmanned aerial vehicles were on standby. This was a live operation, not a dry exercise."
Mr Lee noted that the officers had only two weeks to prepare for the historic event and that many had to cancel leave plans and forfeit vacation bookings.
"But you stepped up to the challenge, and showed Singapore and the world your capabilities and dedication," he said.
In his speech, the prime minister also raised the "continuing and unending task" of making sure Singapore's equipment, technology and systems are up to date.
He said that as the Air Force grew, it improvised with what it had, and progressively built up and renewed its equipment.
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...ade-trump-kim-summit-lee-hsien-loong-10674014
SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) stepped up to the challenge of US President Donald Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and showed the world it was operationally ready, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the RSAF50 Parade on Saturday (Sep 1).
Speaking at Tengah Air Base, PM Lee, who was the guest of honour at the parade, cited the summit as one of the "extraordinary circumstances" that required RSAF officers to answer to the call of duty at short notice.
"The RSAF showed the world during the Summit that you are operationally ready," said Mr Lee. "You were tasked to defend our skies by forming a protective 'dome' over Singapore.
"You had more than 20 aircraft in the air or ready to take off, at any moment; more than 10 ground-based air defence systems stood guard, and unmanned aerial vehicles were on standby. This was a live operation, not a dry exercise."
Mr Lee noted that the officers had only two weeks to prepare for the historic event and that many had to cancel leave plans and forfeit vacation bookings.
"But you stepped up to the challenge, and showed Singapore and the world your capabilities and dedication," he said.
In his speech, the prime minister also raised the "continuing and unending task" of making sure Singapore's equipment, technology and systems are up to date.
He said that as the Air Force grew, it improvised with what it had, and progressively built up and renewed its equipment.
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...ade-trump-kim-summit-lee-hsien-loong-10674014
