Eielson F-16s in Singapore for Commando Sling - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Eielson F-16s in Singapore for Commando Sling

Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, are in Singapore to participate in the second Commando Sling exercise, 13th Air Force announced Thursday.

The exercise began Monday and runs through Jan. 26.

An annual series of exercises since 1990, Commando Sling provides combined air combat training for U.S. Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter units.

U.S. Air Force F-15C/D Eagles from the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, participated in the first Commando Sling exercise for fiscal year 2007 from Oct. 16 to Nov. 3, 2006. U.S. Air Force F-16s from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, will participate in the third exercise scheduled for May.

The fourth and final iteration for 2007 is scheduled in July and will include F/A-18 Hornets from the U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft Group 12 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

The U.S. and Singapore militaries have close ties, and a squadron of Singapore Air Force F-15SG fighter jets and their flight and maintenance crews may be assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, for as many as 20 years beginning this spring or summer.

Singapore, at 267 square miles, is one of the smallest nations in the world. It is also one of the most economically advanced and wealthiest nations in Asia.

It operates about 60 fighter jets and has been mentioned as a possible buyer of the Global Hawk surveillance drone.