Govt awards RSAF chief Swa Buana Paksa Utama

Govt awards RSAF chief Swa Buana Paksa Utama

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government awarded on Friday the
Bintang Swa Bhuana Paksa Utama medal to the chief of the Republic
of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Maj. Gen. Raymund Ng Teck Heng in
recognition of his efforts to improve relations and cooperation
between the two countries' air forces.

The award was presented by Indonesian Military (TNI) deputy
chief Gen. Fachrul Razi at TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East
Jakarta, and witnessed by several top ranking officers from both
the TNI and RSAF.

Earlier on Friday, RSAF Commander of the Air Defense System
Division Brig. Gen. Chee Wee Kiong, Head of the Air Intelligence
Department Col. Yee Cheok Hong and Commander of the Tactical Air
Support Command Col. Toh Su Poh were awarded the first class
Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) honorary pilot's wings, which were
presented by Indonesian Air Force chief Air Marshall Hanafie
Asnan.

After the ceremony, Hanafie and Teck Heng flew to Pekanbaru in
Riau to observe a joint training exercise between the TNI AU and
RSAF, entitled Elang Indopura XI/2000.

The one-week training exercise, which is conducted every two
years, was divided into two stages.

The command post stage was held from Sept. 5 until Sept. 8 in
Payalebar, Singapore, while the maneuvers stage was held at
Pekanbaru Airport from Tuesday until Thursday.

The training exercise was part of TNI AU-RSAF cooperation in
tactical air operations.

The relationship between the TNI AU and the RSAF has greatly
improved over the last decade, not only as a result of joint
training, but also other activities, such as airman-to-airman/in-
flight communications. (09)