RSAF hone combat skills during Forging Sabre exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Grace Lee
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Air Force Base hosted Forging Sabre, a large group exercise involving members of the  Singapore Armed Forces Nov 30 through Dec. 15 at Luke Air Force Base.

"Exercise Forging Sabre consists of day and night large force employment in scenario-based training," said Lt. Col. John Forino, 425th Fighter Squadron commander. "We also integrate an exercise command post for real-time battle injects and scenario updates."

The partnership between the RSAF and the U.S. is essential for not only training but mission success.

"We have a very deep relationship with Luke Air Force Base, and to be able to train here to test our systems is very important for us," said Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Singapore defense minister. "But beyond that, I think this relationship is built on shared values and perspectives and that we both believe in a strong defense. We are very thankful to Luke Air Force Base and the surrounding communities for allowing our armed forces to train here."

The goal of the exercise is to provide high-end training for all SAF personnel.

"Forging Sabre allows our Singaporean allies a chance to train for a combat scenario in phenomenal airspace with the ability to employ live and inert weapons," Forino said. "It's a great opportunity for a large group of Singapore Armed Forces members to hone their combat skills in an environment not available to them in their home country."

More than six Singapore units were involved in the exercise, including the 425th FS, the 428th FS from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, the Peace Vanguard Apache Attack Helicopter Detachment from Silver Bell Army Heliport, Marana, Ariz., the Peace Prairie Chinook Helicopter Detachment from Grand Prairie, Texas and more.

The goal of Forging Sabre was fulfilled thanks to all the Luke Thunderbolts involved.

"It was a tremendous effort by many people and agencies to make it a success," Forino said.