(Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence; issued Sept. 13,
2004)
Six Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
jets departed Singapore today for an exercise in France. This is
the first time that the RSAF is conducting a long-range deployment
to France. The bilateral exercise with the French Air Force (FAF),
codenamed Exercise Western Arc, is also the first in its
series.
The F-16s will transit through India, United Arab Emirates and
Greece en route to France. Two KC-135R tankers will provide
air-to-air refuelling support for the 10,250 km journey. The
exercise with the FAF will take place at Dijon Air Base in eastern
France from 20 September to 4 October 2004, and will see both air
forces engaging in air combat and air-to-air flying
manoeuvres.
Exercise Western Arc provides the RSAF a valuable opportunity to
conduct a long-range deployment and air operations in realistic and
challenging conditions. It enhances inter-operability and mutual
understanding between the FAF and RSAF, which also has a training
detachment in Cazaux in southern France. The bilateral exercise
underscores the good defence relations between France and
Singapore.