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Public Road Converted Into Alternate Runway
30 Nov 2008

On the morning of November 30, 2008 morning, more than 10 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft executed a series of take-offs and landings on Lim Chu Kang Road as part of an exercise. Lim Chu Kang Road was converted into an alternate runway by the RSAF's Air Power Generation Command (APGC) for an exercise involving the RSAF's F-5 and F-16 fighter aircraft, and E-2C airborne early warning aircraft.

The exercise highlighted the RSAF's operational readiness and its ability to deliver air power continuously. The APGC is responsible for generating and sustaining effective air power under the 3rd Generation RSAF and is a key enabler in the conversion of a major public road into an alternate runway. This exercise also demonstrated the close coordination and cooperation between the RSAF and other civil agencies.

Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee witnessed the exercise. Also present were members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs (GPC-DFA), members of the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD), community leaders and defence attaches.

This is the sixth time since 1986 that the RSAF has tested its ability to use a major public road for the launch and recovery of its aircraft.

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Fact Sheet: The Alternate Runway Exercise
Overview

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be conducting an Alternate Runway Exercise on 30 November. The sixth in the series since 1986, the Alternate Runway Exercise hones the RSAF’s readiness and ability to deliver uninterrupted air power at all times.

For this exercise, Lim Chu Kang Road will be converted into an alternate runway for the launch and recovery of more than 10 RSAF aircraft, consisting of F-5S/T Tigers, F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, F-16D Block 52+ Fighting Falcons and E-2C airborne early warning aircraft. The aircraft will be executing a series of take-offs and landings along a stretch of Lim Chu Kang Road, measuring 2500m long and 24m wide.

The Air Power Generation Command (APGC) and the Operationalisation of the Alternate Runway

The APGC is one of the five mission-oriented functional commands under the 3rd Generation RSAF. It plays a pivotal role in generating and sustaining effective air power to support RSAF's operations. This includes converting a major public road into an alternate runway when required. The APGC will deploy the following systems for the exercise:

Mobile Air Traffic Control (MATC) Tower. The MATC Tower enables air traffic controllers to control the launch and recovery of aircraft on the alternative runway. It comprises an Air Traffic Control (ATC) cabin, a hydraulic lifting system, generators and trailers. The control cabin can be raised to about four metres above ground level - high enough for the controllers to have a good view of the runway - and can accommodate up to six people. It is also equipped with meteorological and atmospheric pressure and temperature sensors.

Airfield System. The airfield system consists of a Mobile Arrestor Gear and a Portable Airfield Lighting System (PAL). The Mobile Arrestor Gear supports the safe recovery of tailhook-equipped aircraft during landings. The PAL is a runway lighting system that can be deployed to cover a runway up to 4000m in length. The PAL is a self-sustaining system as there are solar panels to charge the internal batteries.

The following APGC components will also be involved in the exercise:

The Air Logistics Group provides logistical support for all aircraft taking part in the exercise. It maintains and services the aircraft and ensures that they are operationally ready.

The Flying Support Squadron controls air traffic operating within the vicinity of the air base. It also undertakes meteorological monitoring as well as provide relevant flight information to ensure smooth operations.

The Field Defence Squadron is responsible for the overall security of the runway.

The Airfield Maintenance Squadron prepares the alternate runway for operational use. It works with other agencies to remove lamp posts, railings, bus stops, signposts and traffic lights and installs the necessary markers along the alternate runway.

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A F-16 taking off from the alternate runway during the Alternate Runway Exercise.

The E-2C taking off from the alternate runway.

A RSAF E-2C taking off from the alternate runway during the Alternate Runway Exercise.

A F-16D+ landing on the alternate runway.

A F-5 landing with a dragchute as part of the Alternate Runway Exercise this morning.

the_380 · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject:

While in SIN recently, i was lucky to see their E-2 Hawkeye and C-130 Hercules at a very close distance
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HamiltonAir · Member Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Posts: 937 Location: Bangalore

Does Singapore Airforce have the F-15s as well?
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yash777 · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject:

Wow! That would have been some sight! And btw there's no difference between the runway and the those roads.....amazing!
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sammyk · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject: