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)