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RTAF members receive a morning briefing at Korat RTAFB during COPE TIGER 2004.
Photo by TSgt. Jonathan F. Doti, USAF |
During the ceremony, Maj.-Gen. Lim outlined the scope of the exercise and its importance:
Exercise COPE TIGER 2004 marks a significant milestone, as it is the tenth in the series of the COPE TIGER exercises. In just 10 years, Exercise COPE TIGER has grown both in stature and importance. Since its inception back in 1994, the exercise has progressed steadily in size, scope, as well as sophistication. The fact that we are here today bears testimony to the exercise’s continued relevance and usefulness to all forces.
The COPE TIGER series of exerciseshas provided the RSAF with excellent opportunities for our personnel to interact and conduct professional exchanges with our Thai and American counterparts. This trilateral exercise has also helped to foster interoperability between the participating forces over the years and this remains the key objective for COPE TIGER 2004.
Maj.-Gen. Lim noted that each nation made a contribution. Initial exercise planning was done in Korat, Thailand, while middle planning was accomplished in Hawaii, USA. He pointed out that COPE TIGER’s Command Post Exercise is held in Singapore, while the flying training exercise is conducted in Thailand. He said, “This reflects the close cooperation, understanding, and excellent working relationship amongst all the participants.” Maj.-Gen. Lim said that 1,500 personnel and 89 aircraft will exercise in COPE TIGER 2004, and hoped the exercise “will generate a great measure of lasting goodwill and friendship at all ranks and levels.”
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Two USAF F-15E Strike Eagles from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, fly a COPE TIGER 2004 exercise mission over Korat. Strike Eagles are participating for the first time in the 10-year history of the exercise.
Photo Courtesy of the Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defense. |
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