|
 F-16 pilots from the New Mexico ANG completed more than one week of mock aerial combat over the South China Sea in May against jets from Australia and
Singapore. The dogfights were part of Commando Sling, an exercise designed to sharpen the dissimilar air-to-air combat skills of participating aircrews. Pilots from the 188th FS of the New Mexico ANG flew against Australian F/A-18s and Singaporean F-16, F-5, and A-4 jets. The guardsmen competed against pilots from the two other nations on all seventy-three planned missions flown from Paya Lebar AB in Singapore. “That 100 percent rate was the best rate we’ve ever had for a Commando Sling,” said Lt. Col. Billy Songer, operations officer for the 497th Combat Training Squadron. The Singapore-based 497th CTS hosts up to six of the training exercises annually to provide fighter pilots the chance to fly against other types of aircraft. |
