Chief of Staff (COS)

The Chief of Staff (COS) is the senior Singapore national representative and is responsible for all states of affairs for Singapore personnel in HQIADS. He holds overall direction of HQIADS staff activities including but not limited to, exercise planning, safe and effective implementation of FPDA exercises and HQIADS paper submissions to the committee. He undertakes the roles of Exercise Director during Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD, Chief Joint Safety Officer (CJSO) during Exercise BERSAMA LIMA, and Observer for the SUMAN Series.

COS’ peacetime responsibilities are to:

(a) Be responsible to CIADS, through DCIADS, for the operational, plans, and staff functions of HQIADS;

(b) Serve as the HQIADS delegate for the FPG, FCC, FDCC & FDMM;

(c) Contribute to HQIADS capacity building objectives through leadership, innovation, and recognition of outstanding performance;

(d) Maintain professional/military skills and military service readiness requirements.

Chief of Staff

COL Lau Mun Leng

COL Lau joined the Republic of Singapore Air Force in 1993 at the age of 20 and began his training to become an Air Warfare Officer, specialising in Air Battle Management. He graduated top of his cadet course and went on to attain full qualifications in the operational squadron. During that time, he participated and led teams to exercises such as FPDA’s Exercise Bersama Shield/Lima, Exercise Maple Flag in Canada and Exercise Wallaby in Australia.

In 2011, COL Lau was appointed as the Commanding Officer of 201SQN, working closely with the Army and Navy in Participation operations and exercises. Following his successful command tour in 2013, he was tasked to set up and command a new squadron, 202SQN. From 2016 to 2021, he served as Commander Air Surveillance and Control Group, under the Air Defence and Operations Command.

On top of these operational tours, COL Lau also served his staff tour as a Branch Head in Air Plans Department and attended professional courses. He attained the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering, 2nd Class Upper) from the University of Sydney in 2003 and Distinguished Graduate Award from Singapore Command and Staff College in 2008. COL Lau was awarded the Public Administration Award (Bronze) (Military), PPA(G), in 2020.