Singapore Exchange
By W/O Andy Evans
The Professional Exchange Programme (PEP) with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was initiated by CAF earlier this year. The inaugural visit focussed on the themes of personnel, recruiting and training, and involved an RNZAF team visiting Singapore over the last week in August. Led by WGCDR Al McIntosh from TGHQ, the group consisted of FLTLT Rachel James (Recruiting), FLTLT Paul Wright (DCM), W/O Chris Naylor (AK Admin), W/O Andy Evans (GTW), and F/S Andy Julian (GTW).
The Singaporean and NZ teams
The aim of the visit was to establish relationships with our equivalents in the RSAF, to discuss policies and practices used by our organisations, and to take part in the RSAF’s 40th birthday celebrations.
The first day was spent acclimatising to the heat and humidity, and travelling around some of the key memorials to Singapore’s captivity by the Japanese during WW2. Kranji Cemetery made a big impact as we tried to put some sense into the sacrifice made by the 24,000 men, women and children remembered here. GPCAPT Goodman, the NZDF Defence Attache, and his wife hosted an introductory event with the Singaporean participants in the evening. It soon became apparent that we share a sense of pride, professionalism, and the ability to quickly make friends.
Throughout the middle of the week, both teams were briefed on the individual themes of the PEP. Along with much discussion, these briefs allowed us to gain an understanding of the differences and similarities between our two Air Forces. Probably the biggest difference is that Singapore maintains compulsory military service – all males must serve for 18 months by the age of 19. This provides them with a ready source of skilled personnel, but the RSAF is similar to our Air Force, in that they struggle to attract long-term, skilled recruits, to fill specialist roles. As the RNZAF has moved to the Step Up campaign, over the past year, the RSAF has recently introduced the ‘I am the Wind’ recruiting campaign. You can see their latest adverts and gain an understanding of the RSAF through their website.
In line with the training theme, one afternoon was spent at the Air Force School (the Singaporean equivalent of a combined GTW and FTW). This allowed our training personnel to view and discuss several innovative training methodologies, as well as to meet RSAF instructors and discuss training policies and practises.
On Thursday, we attended the RSAF’s 40th birthday parade, which unfortunately, had to be held indoors due to a tropical downpour. We then moved onto their open house – an event similar to the Whenuapai Open Day, but on a slightly larger scale, with over 180,000 visitors expected over the two days. We were hosted at the first practice day and got to view some high-tech weaponry, both on static display and in action, including the AH-64D Longbow Apache, Enhanced F-16C, UAV’s and the RSAF’s simulation centre.
The last day of the PEP involved a visit to Singapore Technologies Aerospace (STA), which carries out Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) on some RNZAF components (including Iroquois engines), as well as being the parent company involved in the B757 upgrade project. This visit provided us with a great insight into the size and complexities of an organisation, with a turn-over of over $4 billion, as well as a greater understanding of the logistics involved in keeping the RNZAF operating every day.
Finally, it was back to the Air Force school for a summing up of the week and gift exchange with the Singaporeans. The verdict – the exchange had been a great success with many lessons learnt on both sides – a greater understanding of how both organisations operate, the challenges we each face, and the building of some new friendships. We are all looking forward to the return exchange in 2009.
Overall, the Singaporeans certainly knew how to make us feel important, and the team was escorted to and from all events by a Protocol Officer. Chou Pern was never short of a solution to any problem, although he occasionally struggled with the relaxed Kiwi attitudes. We also made the most of the opportunity to try the many different types of food available in Singapore; from chilli and pepper crabs, stingray flaps, through to Indian roti prata. The biggest surprise of all was cereal prawns. Exactly as the name suggests, this comprised of prawns deep fried in cereal - and they were great.
The next time this exchange is advertised, our suggestion to you is: make an effort to be a part of it; you’re guaranteed a lot of learning, new friendships and an overall experience totally unlike your day job.