Deepening their defense alliance, Malaysia and Singapore engage in their seventh joint Air Force Search and Rescue drill.
The seventh edition of the Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) MALSING concluded yesterday at Sembawang Air Base in Singapore, with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) showcasing their professionalism and rapport.
The three-day exercise involved the participation of RSAF H225M and RMAF EC725 helicopters, with aircrew, ground crew, and medical teams from both air forces participating in various search and rescue (SAR) scenarios. The operations included day and night SAR operations, aimed at enhancing mission planning and execution in a realistic training environment.
Brigadier-General Ho Kum Luen, Singapore's Chief of Staff (Air Staff), stated that the SAREX MALSING exercise strengthens professional linkages and deepens personal relationships between the RSAF and RMAF. He emphasized the shared history, geography, culture, and kinship between Malaysia and Singapore as crucial for the development of strategic and professional ties between the two Air Forces.
Lieutenant-General Datuk Nur Hafis Abdul Karim, RMAF Deputy Chief, noted that the role of the RSAF and RMAF in regional security extends beyond maintaining peace and order within their borders. He stated that exercises like SAREX MALSING ensure that both air forces work not only for the security of their own nations but also for the greater good of the international community.
Participants searched for survivors following a simulated mishap off the southern coast of Singapore, conducting winching operations to swiftly evacuate survivors who were adrift in the waters. The bilateral exercise underscores the warm and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
General Tan Sri Dato' Sri Haji Ackbal bin Abdul Samad, the head of the Royal Malaysian Air Force during SAREX MALSING in September 2021, highlighted the importance of such exercises in strengthening the defence partnership between the two countries.
The RSAF and RMAF have interacted and cooperated regularly across a wide range of activities, including bilateral visits, professional exchanges, and multilateral exercises under the ambit of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Exercises like SAREX MALSING are testament to the strong defence ties between Singapore and Malaysia and their commitment to regional security and cooperation.
