Exercise Commando Sling comes to close Published Nov. 16, 2007 36th Fighter Squadron PAYA LEBAR AIR BASE, Singapore -- Airmen from Osan are once again deployed in support of exercise Commando Sling 08-1 here. Pilots and support personnel from the 36th Fighter Squadron joined forces with maintainers from the 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to form the 36th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron for the three-week exercise. Commando Sling is primarily an air-to-air exercise that has been conducted since 1990 to strengthen ties and regional stability between the United States and the Republic of Singapore. "The unique opportunity to fly, fight, and learn with another extremely capable ally is a vital experience for 36th EFS pilots and maintainers that not only improve our skills as warriors, but also fosters closer ties between the Republic of Singapore Air Force and U.S. Air Force," said Lt. Col. Robert Swaringen, the 36th EFS detachment commander. The exercise includes both Osan F-16 and RSAF F-16 and F-5 aircraft, which gives the pilots a chance to train against a dissimilar adversary - a valuable opportunity not normally found at Osan. The exercise uses a "building block" approach to training. Pilots begin flying basic sorties against one other aircraft and quickly move on to larger, more advanced training scenarios with as many as 10 aircraft. The mission types range from dissimilar basic fighter maneuvers to air combat tactics. Outstanding support from the U.S. Air Force's 497th Combat Training Squadron and the RSAF has made the deployment amazingly smooth, said Colonel Swaringen. "In my four operational tours in PACAF, this is one of the best training deployments I have seen," he added. "The RSAF have been superb hosts both on and off the ramp." Exercise Commando Sling 08-1 ends today with a plaque exchange between the 36th EFS and the participating RSAF squadrons.