PAYA LEBAR AIRBASE, SINGAPORE – 6 United States Air Force (USAF) F-16C from the 36th Fighter Squadron (tail code “OS”), arrived on 6 November 2023 for Commando Sling 23 (CS23). On the 7-hour flight from Osan Air Base, South Korea, the “first USAF commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft” was demonstrated, utilising an Omega Aerial Refueling Services KDC-10 (N264DE). The KDC-10 also demonstrated concurrent airlift capability by ferrying over 40 exercise personnel and cargo on the same flight.

Commando Sling

Commando Sling is a Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) sponsored bilateral exercise with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), “designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability” through Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT). Its inception can be linked to the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding United States Use of Facilities in Singapore. Recent trends have seen Commando Sling conducted once a year. The previous Commando Sling held in June 2022 saw the participation of “Wild Weasels” from the 14th Fighter Squadron. 

36th Fighter Squadron

CS23 sees the participation of F-16C Block 40 fighter aircraft from USAF’s 51st Fighter Wing (51 FW), 36th Fighter Squadron (36 FS). They are headquartered in Osan Air Base and nicknamed “The Flying Fiends”. Their standard tail design is derived from 51 FW’s heritage, consisting of a “stampeding mustang” on top of a black checkered pattern. 

In 2017, 36 FS applied a centennial paint scheme to their F-16C (89-2043), and this flagship leads the group of 6 for CS23. The design incorporate elements from the squadron’s distinguished history, featuring a combination of the standard checkered tail and the iconic red-striped tail design from the F-80 and F-86 fighters used during the Korean War. 36 FS is also no stranger to Commando Sling, having been here multiple times, such as back in 2010 and even further back in 2004 (spot the identical airframes!).