Thai Air Force chief proposes ASEAN Search and Rescue Centre

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Thai Air Force chief proposes ASEAN Search and Rescue Centre
By Digital Content



NAY PYI TAW, Sept 25 -- Thai Air Force commander Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong proposed establishing an ASEAN Search and Rescue Centre today at the 11th ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference in the Myanmar capital today.

The conference was chaired by Myanmar Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Khin Aung Myint.

Speaking on search and rescue issues, ACM Prajin siad that ASEAN needed to be aware that aircraft going missing or crashing impacted regional security, air transport and ultimately prosperity.

Thailand is for these reasons pushing for establishment of an ASEAN Search and Rescue Centre.

ACM Prajin told the conference that it could begin with a committee and working group to decide the structure of the centre.

He also proposed that ASEAN air forces exchange visits among their international coordinators annually to integrate information, follow up developing concerns and enhance regional rescue capacity in cases of aircraft in trouble and other disasters. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-09-25

[Katipo]

This is a sensible proposal. So nothing much to say. I do wish they would stick to poorly thought out hair-brained schemes so that we TV-er's have something to complain about.

[Commerce]

and my name is Air Chief BS, I have lots of badges of my lapelles, and I don't let boobs on planes or on beaches. Next?

[loongdavid]

Although a sound proposal, IMO I think the Thai government and many in the bureaucracy think that the arrival of ASEAN, and Thailand becoming a member, means a panacea for most things. Only Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei realistically have the wealth to adequately contribute and maintain such a proposal. I guess they will eventually become disillusioned when they see the poorer nations benefiting at their expense. Maybe landlocked Laos would not see much benefit at all. Air Forces exchange visits would, I suspect, be a very contentious issue for some wanting to keep their meagre, yet secretive, assets secret.

Edited September 25, 2014 by loongdavid

[Robby nz]

Very sensible and should not really be that difficult to do.

Consider when the Malaysia jet disappeared if there had been cooperation between all the ASEAN air forces radar capabilities via such a center that a track could have been put on that plane immediately there was a report of it disappearing.

As for Lao it is just as likely that a plane could go down there or a natural disaster happen as anywhere else.

Each country needn't be expected to put equal funding or equipment into such a center but would need to cooperate and coordinate with perhaps 4 centers set up for quick response each with a designated area with back up from the others.

Yep great idea, get stuck in plan it and do it.

[chainarong]

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Very sensible and should not really be that difficult to do.

Consider when the Malaysia jet disappeared if there had been cooperation between all the ASEAN air forces radar capabilities via such a center that a track could have been put on that plane immediately there was a report of it disappearing.

As for Lao it is just as likely that a plane could go down there or a natural disaster happen as anywhere else.

Each country needn't be expected to put equal funding or equipment into such a center but would need to cooperate and coordinate with perhaps 4 centers set up for quick response each with a designated area with back up from the others.

Yep great idea, get stuck in plan it and do it.

Seeing the Malaysian Air-force monitored MH 370 going across it's own country off course and never sent up interception , speaks volumes, Thailand never bothered because it was still in Malaysia air space, the concept is a good one, whether Asian dithering, petty jealousy can be overcome is another thing

[loongdavid]

"...whether Asian dithering, petty jealousy can be overcome is another thing" notwithstanding, the cost alone is far above what countries the like of Lao, Cambodia and Burma would want to expend. They may pay lip-service to the idea at some grand talk-fest but I doubt if they could see much benefit in the proposal for themselves.

As for Thailand, any aircraft that it currently has on inventory that are air rescue capable are currently flying around the countryside with either a VIP fit (every general has to have one), or spending inordinate amounts of down-time undergoing maintenance. There being not enough of any one type to maintain serviceable and airworthy reserves.

Where would this Air-Sea Rescue Centre be located? Wait for the dust to settle and watch the reasons why each and every country will eventually opt out of the idea. Would a Thai General want to be told how to organise his search by a Burmese General - I think not.

[fred007]

The Royal Thai Air force Still has number of air worthy Sea Planes I do believe stationed at U-Tapao International Airport As Per Photo

[loongdavid]

I like it Fred007, very apt.

Incidentally, there would be dozens of countries, particularly in the western hemisphere that would pay big bucks to get their hands on a PBY Catalina (as shown) just to restore to flying condition as there are not that many of them flying today. I wonder if any enterprising Thai Air Force General has thought of advertising and disposing of these hulks in that manner?