1.                  Exercise Cope Tiger, an annual trilateral air exercise between Singapore, Thailand and the United States, was officially opened at Paya Lebar Airbase today.  The Opening Ceremony was officiated by the Chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Major-General Lim Kim Choon; Chief of Air Staff, Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Air Chief Marshal Thares Punsri; and Commander 13^th Air Force, United States Air Force (USAF), Major-General Dennis Larsen.

2.            Exercise Cope Tiger is the largest joint combined air exercise hosted in Thailand. Over the years, the scale and scope of the exercise has increased significantly with the participation of more personnel and aircraft. Exercise Cope Tiger enhances the professionalism and interoperability among the RSAF, the RTAF, and the USAF, and fosters understanding and rapport between the officers and men of the three air forces. It also stands as a symbol of the long-standing close defence co-operation between Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

3.      The exercise will be carried out in two phases.  The first phase, a Command Post Exercise (CPX), will be held at Paya Lebar Airbase from 3 to 4 December 2004.  The CPX will enable the participants to gain greater appreciation of the operating procedures across the three air forces through mission planning exercises and exercising of contingency handling.  The second phase, the Flying Training Exercise (FTX), involving 88 aircraft and approximately 1,200 personnel flying over 1,250 sorties, will be conducted in Korat, Thailand from 24 January to 4 February 2005.

4. As part of the exercise, personnel from the three air forces will participate in a joint socio-civic effort to reach out to the local community of Nakhon Ratchasima.  This will comprise a 4-day medical programme in which medical assistance will be provided to the local populace.  The RSAF will provide support for the programme by sending about 10 doctors and supporting staff.  In addition, it will be making a donation of 20 personal computers, together with stationery and sports equipment, to the local community.

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