Commando Sling pairs 35 FW with Singapore Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Kaleb Snay
  • 35th Fighter Wing PA
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The last of more than 70 Airmen returned to Misawa Air Base April 19, 2012 after spending three weeks in Singapore in support of exercise Commando Sling 12-2.
The exercise was created to help build relations with the people of Singapore and train U.S. Air Force Airmen to serve in a joint environment.

"It fosters and develops our relationship with our strategic partners," said Capt. Jarod DiGeorge, 13th Fighter Squadron Commando Sling project officer. "I definitely think the training was beneficial to us; we don't get a lot of opportunities to fly with Airmen from other nations and learn about their aircraft."

Pilots from the 13 and 14 FS trained on a variety of basic fighter and air combat maneuvers and air combat tactics. They trained at Paya Lebar Air Base completing several mock air combat scenarios.

On many occasions, training was disrupted because of weather or minor logisitics issues, said Master Sgt. Isaac Soto, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit production superintendent.
"We made the best with what we had," said DiGeorge.

Although a few disruptions got in the way, it didn't stop the success of the exercise mission, said Soto.

"We set our goals real high and we try to meet them," said Soto. "Overall we did really well."

Many Airmen enjoyed the exercise and are looking forward to going back, said 2nd Lt. Eric Meyer, 14 AMU assistant officer in charge.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat," said DiGeorge.