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As part of the closely networked 3rd Generation Singapore Armed
Forces (SAF), the re-organised Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)
will play a more integral role in shaping land and sea battles for
the SAF. Towards this end, the RSAF is reorganising to strengthen
its integration with the Army and Navy. By harnessing new
technologies in the areas of information networking, precision
strike and unmanned warfare, decision cycles and sensor-shooter
loops will be shortened. Closer integration and common situational
awareness across the Services will allow the SAF to influence
developments on the battlefield swiftly and decisively.
The SAF now serves a wide range of missions. From deterring and
preparing to fight a conventional war and maintaining 24/7 vigilance
in Homeland Security, to safeguarding the nation against
transnational terrorist threats, responding to peacetime
contingencies, and deploying for multi-national Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Peace Support Operations (PSO)
- the RSAF is often the SAF's vanguard, given its high level of
readiness, responsiveness, speed and long reach.
The combination of new operating concepts, capabilities and systems,
together with new organisational structures and the continued effort
to develop a world-class people-force, form a comprehensive
framework to realise the 3rd Generation RSAF. Building upon the
competencies and capabilities of the 2nd Generation RSAF, the 3rd
Generation Air Force will be a flexible, integrated, full spectrum
force. The four main building blocks in the 3rd Generation RSAF's
transformation are:
a. Advanced Technology
Today, the RSAF is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and
multi-role/multi-mission capable platforms such as the F-16D+, the
Apache helicopters, and soon, the F-15SGs. It will continue to
explore the power of information-networks and unmanned warfare
systems. These capabilities will enable the RSAF to maintain its
qualitative edge.
b. Innovative Operational Concepts
New technologies have allowed the RSAF to explore bold, new
operational concepts. These concepts reflect an integrated approach
to maximising the use of air power across the air, land and sea
domains.
c. Quality People
People and knowledge are critical to the transformation. A
well-educated workforce, effective training and human resource
initiatives will enable our people to achieve their full potential
and operate effectively in a highly networked and integrated
environment.
d. New Organisational Structure
This organisational restructuring is the most fundamental one that
the RSAF has embarked on since it was first formed, and is necessary
to fully exploit new operational concepts and emerging technologies.
The restructuring will go beyond the RSAF, in the overall effort to
enhance the level of integration and to maximise the development and
use of air power for the SAF.
EVOLUTION OF THE RSAF
The 1st Generation Air Force, which was known as the
Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC), provided Singapore with a
basic level of air defence. Its forces were largely inherited from
the British, which included the ground-based air defence systems
such as the Bloodhound surface-to-air missile system. Later
additions included the Hunters and A4 Skyhawks.
The 2nd Generation Air Force brought the RSAF beyond
its air defence focus to air superiority, and reflected an era of
significant modernisation and the development of strong professional
skills. The 2nd Generation RSAF was designed to contribute
decisively to the SAF battlefield capabilities, so that land and
maritime forces could operate effectively away from any aerial
threats.
The 3rd Generation Air Force transformation takes a
stronger integrative and system-level approach, combining new
concepts, systems capabilities, organisational structures and people
development to shape the RSAF into a flexible, full-spectrum force
and an integral part of a closely networked SAF.
RESTRUCTURING THE RSAF
Current Organisational Structure. The RSAF today
consists of HQ Departments and six main formations. The HQ
departments oversee the strategic and policy-level development of
manpower, intelligence, operations, logistics, plans, training and
safety issues for the RSAF. The formations consist of four airbases
(at Tengah, Paya Lebar, Changi and Sembawang), the Air Defence
Systems Division and the Tactical Air Support Command, as well as
two schools (the Air Force School and the Flying Training School).
The current structure of the RSAF is shown below:
Rationale for Structural Changes.
The RSAF HQ Departments will continue to oversee the strategic and
policy-level development of key functions. However, the RSAF will
need to respond to a wider range of operational demands from
peacetime to war. The arrival of new capabilities and systems also
requires a more optimal organisational structure with the dedicated
focus and capacity to fully exploit the potential of air power for
the SAF. Building upon the mature competencies and professional
standards of the RSAF, the restructuring is geared towards
instilling a stronger mission focus for each of the new Commands.
Each Command will have the responsibility to drive the development
and to set standards for key capabilities in the RSAF, including air
defence, air combat, air participation, air power generation,
unmanned warfare, as well as strengthening the RSAF's high-readiness
core in operations. These Commands will also enhance SAF-level
integration by including personnel from the Services and the
Joint-Staff, who will bring relevant expertise to forge important
linkages across the SAF.
The Five New Commands. The new Commands will be reorganised
largely from the existing RSAF formations. A brief description of
the five new Commands is provided below.
a. Air Defence and Operations Command (ADOC)
As the first of the Commands to be operational, ADOC represents the
high-readiness core of the RSAF, as the principal agency planning
and executing peacetime operations and air defence. ADOC also
ensures the development and operational readiness of the command and
control and ground-based air defence units of the RSAF.
b. Air Combat Command
The Air Combat Command will synchronise the SAF's and RSAF's air
combat capabilities to drive the development and operationalisation
of an integrated air combat operations capability for the SAF,
including doctrine development and design of system-level exercises
and training. The Command will also manage the daily flying
activities and training standards of all fighter and transport
aircraft in the RSAF fleet.
c. Participation Command
As air power can be decisive in influencing the outcome of land and
maritime battles, the Participation Command will develop air
participation concepts, doctrines and plans which will be tailored
to better meet the Army's and Navy's warfighting requirements. All
helicopters, divisional ground-based air defence systems and
tactical air support elements will be part of the Participation
Command.
d. Air Power Generation Command
The Air Power Generation Command will be able to integrate the
RSAF's airfield operations to sustain robust and continuous launch
and recovery operations of all air assets. The airfields, flying
support squadrons, field defence squadrons, airfield maintenance
squadrons and air logistics elements will be part of this Command.
e. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Command
The UAV Command will nurture and build-up the SAF¨s UAV
expertise and capabilities. It will have personnel from the other
Services, given the increasing use of such platforms in the air,
land and sea domains.
Restructuring Approach. To manage change and minimise
disruption to current operations, the restructuring initiatives will
be introduced in phases. ADOC is the first Command to stand-up to
anchor the RSAF's high operational readiness amidst the
reorganisation process. Following ADOC's formal inauguration on 5
Jan 07. The rest of the Commands will be established over the next
two years, and the restructuring process completed by mid-2008.
AIR DEFENCE AND OPERATIONS COMMAND (ADOC)
Why ADOC? The RSAF is always at a state of high alert to
support SAF operations while maintaining a high operational training
tempo that clocks more than 50,000 flying hours a year, with
detachments spread over various countries, including Australia,
France and the United States. ADOC represents the high-readiness
core of the RSAF, strengthening operational readiness and playing a
vital role in air-defence as part of Homeland Security. The Command
amalgamates the planning, control and execution functions of all
RSAF operations, allowing for more effective management of the full
spectrum of air operations from peace to war.
Given their high responsiveness, long reach and multi-role
capabilities, air platforms have also been increasingly deployed for
peacetime contingency operations such as Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Relief (HADR) missions and multi-national Peace Support
Operations (PSO). The RSAF has committed its helicopters and
transport aircraft for a range of peacetime operations such as the
Boxing Day Tsunami Relief Operation in Dec 2004, Eyes-in-the-Sky for
joint patrols in the Malacca Straits, and deployments in support of
the reconstruction efforts in Iraq. ADOC's role in overseeing the
RSAF's peacetime operational commitments is even more crucial in
light of the increasing security demands on the SAF in peacetime,
especially in countering transnational terrorist threats.
ADOC's Organisational Structure. ADOC integrates the former
Air Defence Systems Division (ADSD) and elements of the Air
Operations Department (in HQ RSAF). ADOC is also responsible for the
training and standards of its subordinate command and control (C2)
squadrons and ground-based air defence units for national air
defence. Structurally, ADOC comprises the Operational Planning and
Development Group (OPDG) as part of its Formation HQ, the Air Force
Operations Group (AFOG), the National Air Defence Group (ADG), and
the Divisional Air Defence Group (DAG).
Operations Planning and Development Group (OPDG). Its
key functions are to develop operational plans for peacetime
operations and operational-level RSAF competencies in air defence
and Operations Other Than War (OOTW), as well as the RSAF's command
and control competencies.
Air Force Operations Group (AFOG). AFOG's key
functions are to manage all RSAF peacetime training and exercises,
and to act as the operations control and execution agency for all
RSAF operations.
National Air Defence Group (ADG). ADG's key function
is to ensure the operational readiness and competencies of its
subordinate ground-based air defence units.
Divisional Air Defence Group (DAG). DAG's key
function is to ensure the operational readiness and competencies of
its subordinate ground-based air defence and control units. The
group will also drive the development of tactical doctrine in air
defence operations in support of the Army Divisions.
Source:
www.mindef.gov.sg Media
Release 5 Jan 2007
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RSAF to be reorganised into five
commands
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