Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to be here to inaugurate the Air Defence and Operations Command, or ADOC, of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Organisation of the Air Force

The inauguration of ADOC marks the first step in a major transformation of the organisation of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). With this re-organisation, the RSAF�s command structures for raising and training the forces in peacetime, and the planning and control of operations both in peacetime and wartime will be aligned with the third generation RSAF�s new capabilities and missions. 

The RSAF of today is a well-balanced force comprising modern fighters, helicopters, high technology surveillance and mobility platforms, and a sophisticated air defence capability. There is a robust command and control capability, well supported by responsive logistics and manpower organizations. The RSAF has earned an excellent reputation for professionalism and high operational readiness.

The RSAF of today is built around formations such as airbases which are responsible for the training of the units under their command. Planning and control of operations, both in peacetime and wartime has been the centralized responsibility of the HQ RSAF.

This structure has worked very well for the RSAF where strong emphasis was needed to develop the professional expertise of the individual combat formations of the RSAF such as fighters, transports, helicopters and air defence artillery. The peacetime operations of the RSAF had also been relatively less intense compared to the professional development and training requirements of the individual formations.

New Challenges and Operational Demands

However, the Air Force now faces new operational demands. And a new organisational structure is also needed to match the transformational capabilities now being brought into service in the third generation Air Force.

In a complex and uncertain strategic environment, the operational demands on the SAF and the Air Force have become more varied and continue to mount. On a daily basis, the RSAF must provide vigilant and robust island air defence, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure the sovereignty of our territorial air-space and guard against transnational terrorist threats. It must also be ready to deploy for contingency operations in our region and beyond, including peace support missions and humanitarian and disaster relief operations, often at a moment's notice.

Constant and close command attention is required to adapt to and meet new and evolving threats and tasks. The RSAF therefore needs new and more flexible and capable structures to better undertake the full spectrum of operations from peace to war.

Transformation to the 3^rd Generation RSAF

The RSAF also has to make the transformation to the Third Generation Air Force. The RSAF has adopted a comprehensive framework along three key dimensions to achieve this transformation. First, hardware or exploiting Advanced Technology.  Second, software which includes Innovative Operational Concepts and a new Organisational Structure.  Third, heartware or grooming Quality People.

In hardware terms, the development of the 3^rd generation RSAF is proceeding steadily with the introduction of advanced platforms and capabilities able to undertake networked, integrated, joint warfare. We brought our Apache attack helicopters home last year, and will be taking delivery of our F15SGs in the coming years.  We will continue to field rapidly evolving technologies like UAVs, and network them with ground based and airborne surveillance platforms.

In terms of software and systems, the transformation of the RSAF�s organisational structure will allow the 3rd Generation RSAF capabilities to be fully developed and exploited to decisively influence operational outcomes over the whole range of missions that the SAF will be expected to undertake in the air, on land and at sea. 

However, our aircraft and systems are only as good as the people who operate and maintain them.  Our heartware � our servicemen and women � are the key factor in the success of the RSAF.  The RSAF must therefore continue to bring out the best in every one of our servicemen and servicewomen and ensure that we maintain the highest professional standards. To achieve transformation in hardware and software, RSAF personnel need to have a flexible and adaptable mindset. Change management, leadership and people development must therefore be a key focus of the RSAF�s overall transformation.

Each of the thrusts in the transformation of the RSAF - hardware, software and heartware - are supported by a set of programmes.  The transformation of the RSAF�s organisation structure is therefore an important aspect, but only one aspect of the overall transformation of the RSAF.     

The RSAF's Organisational Re-structuring

The inauguration of ADOC, the Air Defence and Operations Command, is the first step in the most fundamental restructuring of the RSAF�s organisation since it was first established. The RSAF�s new organisational structure will bring professional expertise to focus on realising new operational concepts and integrated capabilities. The restructuring and the establishment of other new RSAF operational Commands will be phased over the next two years, in tandem with other initiatives across the SAF to realise its 3rd Generation transformation.

The re-organisation will see the RSAF�s current airbases and formations re-structured into five new operational Commands: the Air Defence and Operations Command, the Air Combat Command, the Participation Command, the Air Power Generation Command, and the UAV Command.

The first command to be inaugurated, ADOC, will undertake the primary responsibility for the planning, control and execution of all peacetime air operations, including air defence. This will allow for more effective management of the full spectrum of air operations that the RSAF undertakes.  Given the speed, reach and agility of air power, the RSAF must always be at a high state of readiness - whether to ensure the air defence of our homeland, participate in multinational operations or to respond to the increased intensity and demands of peacetime contingencies.

The Air Combat Command will lead in the development and operationalisation of the SAF's integrated air combat capabilities, bringing together all the RSAF�s fighters and transport aircraft, for greater operational synergy and professional development.   

The Participation Command will drive the integrated development and deployment of air power for the land and maritime theatres, and strengthen the level of integration of air support with surface campaigns in the more closely networked and integrated 3rd Generation SAF. 

The Air Power Generation Command will unify and strengthen all air-field operations of the RSAF, to provide robust and continuous launch and recovery operations for all air assets.

The Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) Command will focus on the development of unmanned airborne capabilities for the 3rd Generation SAF.

As the other Commands are progressively restructured and stood-up over the next two years, ADOC will anchor the RSAF�s high operational readiness during this process.

I am pleased to note that the formation of ADOC has proceeded smoothly. ADOC has successfully amalgamated the former Air Defence Systems Division (ADSD) and the relevant elements from Air Operations, Intelligence and Logistics  Departments in HQ RSAF. This will allow ADOC to have all the elements necessary to execute operations as responsively as possible. 

Since 1st August 2006, ADOC has successfully planned and executed several critical airforce operations in support of key events such as the IMF-World Bank meeting in September. ADOC has also overseen the operational deployment of the KC-135 tanker to the Gulf from September to December this year. The formation of ADOC will ensure that the RSAF is even more ready to undertake and control the higher intensity and wider range of operations that RSAF must be prepared to carry out in peacetime. 

I would like to commend the servicemen and women in the RSAF who have worked hard to bring about the smooth inauguration of ADOC. You have brought flexibility of mind, and adaptability in execution to this task. I am confident that you will rise to the new challenges that ADOC will face and keep Singapore�s skies safe.

Conclusion

The inauguration of ADOC is the first step towards a new organisational structure for the RSAF which will match the transformational capabilities now being brought into service in the third generation Air Force. This transformation will mesh in with other developments in the SAF in the coming years to realise the full capabilities of the third generation SAF.

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