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Exercise COPE TIGER 2003, an annual multilateral air-to-air, air-to-ground, and Large Force Employment (LFE) exercise that began in 1995 among the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand, Republic of Singapore, and the United States, opened at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, December 2002. The exercise ended at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, February 2003.
Highlighting the importance of this exercise for the air forces of Thailand, Singapore, and the United States were Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Kongsak Wattana, Commander-in-Chief Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF); Maj. Gen. Lim Kim Choon, Chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF); and Maj. Gen. Dennis R. Larsen, Commander 13th Air Force (USAF), all of whom officiated at the COPE TIGER 2003 opening ceremony.
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(Right to left) Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wattana; Chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Maj. Gen. Lim Kim Choon; and Commander, U.S. 13th Air Force, Maj. Gen. Dennis Larsen, officiate at the opening ceremony of COPE TIGER 2003.
Photo Courtesy of the Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defense |
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ACM Kumrop Leeyawanit, Secretary to the Royal Thai Air Force was quoted by the Bangkok Post (16 February 2003) as stating that COPE TIGER 2003 would be the largest air exercise held in Asia. The Singapore Ministry of Defence noted that over the years, the scope and complexity of the exercise has increased with more personnel and aircraft participating.
Maj. Valerie Trefts, USAF, was the COPE TIGER Public Affairs officer; 1st Lt. Amy Hansen, USAF, is assigned to the 3rd Wing Public Affairs; and LCpl. Ben Slack, USMC, is a U.S. Marine Corps Public Affairs specialist. |
