Defence Minister's Journey with MINDEF/SAF: ADOC - Protecting Our Skies
9/11 in New York City was a dramatic, life-changing event. Pictures of the jets crashing into the twin towers and these colossal skyscrapers collapsing into a plume of debris flashed on screens over the world. The images were seared into our memories, etched deeper with individual stories of lives lost and families torn apart. Our view of the world changed overnight, especially so for those responsible to keep our skies safe. Civilian planes that we would normally associate with the "romance of travel" became potential weapons of mass destruction.
Observing servicemen at the Fire Control Post, which controls the firing of the I-Hawk missiles.
This task to protect our skies is made that much more difficult because we are an international air hub. The "air picture" our men and women at the RSAF's Air Defence and Operations Command (ADOC) see is crowded and busy, all the time. They need to be on the constant lookout and respond quickly to take out any threat. In January 2008, ADOC scrambled two F-16s to intercept a civilian plane that was flying off course and not responding to communications. That time, it was equipment malfunction. The next time, it may be a real threat with the intent to harm.
The SPYDER works with sensors like the Giraffe Agile Multiple Beam Radar and other defence systems like the I-HAWK to detect potential threats and protect Singapore's skies.
To guard our skies, we have to update our systems. I had a close look at SPYDER, our latest acquisition, and the I-HAWK. These are highly capable ground-to-air missile systems. Together with our G550-Airborne Early Warning aircraft, fighter jets and other platforms, they provide a robust air defence system.
Servicemen hard at work manning the I-HAWK.
But more important are the men and women manning these air defence systems. In ADOC, NSmen, NSFs and regulars work seamlessly together and round the clock as a well-oiled and professional team with one clear mission - protect our skies because the price of failure will be costly.
Ng Eng Hen
>> Click HERE to read more reflections by Dr Ng Eng Hen
