The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be re-structured into five distinct Commands led by the Chief of Air Force. Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, announced the planned restructuring of the RSAF when he officiated at a parade to inaugurate the first of the RSAF's operational commands, the Air Defence and Operations Command (ADOC), at Chong Pang Camp this morning.

This restructuring is the most significant since the RSAF was first established. It is a key element in the RSAF�s overall transformation as a flexible, integrated, full-spectrum force. It is designed to enable the RSAF to focus on core mission areas and to be more closely integrated with the rest of the 3^rd Generation SAF.

As the first of the five Commands to be inaugurated, ADOC will form the high readiness core of the RSAF, ensuring operational readiness to respond to the full range of contingencies. The other four commands to be established as part of the restructuring are � the Air Combat Command, the Participation Command, the Air Power Generation Command and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Command. These commands will be inaugurated over the next two years.

ADOC brings together the former Air Defence Systems Division (ADSD) and elements of the Air Operations Department in the RSAF Headquarters. This amalgamates the planning, control and execution of all RSAF operations under one command from peace to war. It allows for more effective management of the full spectrum of air operations, including air defence operations as part of Homeland Security, and multi-national Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Peace Support Operations (PSO).

The restructuring will enable the RSAF to better exploit new platforms, emerging technologies and embrace new battlefield concepts while enhancing its capabilities to fulfil the current and future mission demands of the 3rd Generation SAF.

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