COPE TIGER 2003 occurred in two phases. The first phase, a Command Post Exercise (CPX), took place at Paya Lebar Air Base from 16 to 18 December 2002. The CPX exercised Live Fly Cell procedures through a series of mission planning exercises and mission commander’s briefings. The second phase, the Flying Training Exercise (FTX), involved 98 aircraft, numerous Air Defense Systems, and more than 1,200 personnel, generating over 1,000 sorties at Korat RTAFB from 17 to 28 February 2003.
The goals of COPE TIGER are to provide quality Combined/Joint air-to-air, air-to-ground, and LFE training in a multinational environment; develop and expand Combined/Joint interoperability and readiness among Thai, Singaporean, and U.S. forces; cultivate common bonds and foster goodwill between Thai, Singaporean, and U.S. forces; and promote regional security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region by developing multilateral relationships.
RTAF COPE TIGER 2003 exercise forces included F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-5 Tiger II fighters, L-39 Albatross and Alpha Jet trainers, and UH-1H Huey helicopters. Giraffe, Skyguard, RBS-70 and ADAD Air Defense Systems were also deployed for the FTX.
RSAF exercise forces included F-16 and F-5 fighters, A-4 Skyhawk light attack fighter-bombers, E-2C Hawkeye Early Warning/Command and Control aircraft, KC-130 Hercules air refueling aircraft, and Super Puma helicopters. A variety of Air Defense Systems to include P-Star, I-Hawk, Rapier, Mistral, RBS-70, and ILGA were also deployed to the exercise.
 |
RSAF Capt. Ian Tan signals with a mirror during the search and rescue scenario as USAF TSgt. John Mizelle watches.
Photo by SSgt. Jeffrey A. Wolfe, USAF |
|
 |
RTAF Wg. Cmdr. Taepanich Sompron (left), RSAF 1st Sgt. Waikit Fok (center), and USAF TSgt. Michael Evans discuss weather conditions during COPE TIGER 2003.
Photo by SSgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr., USAF |
|
 |
RSAF members perform post flight checks of an F-16 jet at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand.
Photo by SSgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr., USAF |
|
|
|
An RTAF F-16A prepares to receive fuel from a U.S. Air Force (USAF) KC-135 air refueling aircraft during COPE TIGER 2003.
Photo by SSgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr., USAF |
|
