JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- U.S. Air Force and Republic of Singapore (RSAF) Air Force personnel are training together during the annual, bilateral exercise Commando Sling 18 at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore.

Six F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 8th Fighter Wing, 80th Fighter Squadron at Kunsan AB, Korea, kicked off Commando Sling 18 with the RSAF Jan. 15 and will continue through Feb. 2, 2018.

Commando Sling 18 focuses on enhancing and evaluating tactical coordination of air tactics, techniques and procedures between U.S. and RSAF aviation units, improves procedures for sustained operations at a non-U.S. base, and provides an opportunity to promote closer relations between U.S. and Singaporean service members.

The annual Commando Sling exercise began in 1990 to provide combined air combat training for USAF and RSAF fighter units.

In addition to Commando Sling, the United States and Singapore participate in other multilateral exercises in the Pacific theater including Pitch Black, Cobra Gold, Cope Tiger and several other exercises that are conducted on the U.S. mainland.