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Third RAAF F-35 Makes First Flight

05 Desember 2017 A35-003 takes off from Fort Worth. (photo : AustralianAviationCarl Richards) The Royal Australian Air Force’s third F-35A Lightning II, A35-003, has completed its first flight. Photographer Carl Richards captured these images of A35-003 taking off on its first flight, from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, on December 1. The aircraft is due to be delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in early 2018 to be used for pilot and maintainer training, before being permanently relocated to Australia in 2020. A35-003, known to its manufacturer Lockheed Martin as AU-3, had its RAAF markings, including its 3 Squadron tail flashes, applied in early November, the final phase of the aircraft’s production process. 3 Squadron is due to become the first RAAF F-35 operational unit. ( AustralianAviation )

Singapore Conducts Counter Terror Exercise

27 Oktober 2017


The RSN's Independence-class LMV RSS Independence (back) in close support, as the Police Coast Guard (PCG)'s PK-class High Speed Interceptors (left and right) intercept an infiltrating speedboat (centre) at Ex Highcrest 2017. (photos : Sing Mindef)

National Agencies and Public Systems Tested in Maritime Security Exercise

Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman visited Exercise Highcrest 17 this morning and witnessed the capabilities of the Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre (SMCC) to counter terrorist threats from the sea. Held from 19 to 26 October 2017, the exercise involved about 300 personnel from 14 national agencies, including the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs (SC), and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The exercise tested these agencies on a range of maritime terrorism scenarios, including an infiltration from sea, and a chemical attack on board a ferry.



During the visit, SMCC's Director of National Maritime Sense-making Group, Colonel Nicholas Lim, updated Dr Maliki on how the SMCC achieves timely identification of threats through its suite of surveillance, sense-making and data analytics capabilities. Dr Maliki also observed the RSN's Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel and the Police Coast Guard's PT-class Patrol Interdiction Boat and PK-class High Speed Interceptors working together to prevent an infiltration attempt by terrorists via speedboats. The demonstration also showcased how a report through the SGSecure App was used to corroborate the presence of a terror threat, and the deployment of the SPF's Coastal Hardening Strike Force in apprehending the perpetrators.


Also present at the exercise visit were Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong as well as representatives of the Homefront Crisis Executive Group (Maritime Security).

(Sing Mindef)

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