Precision under pressure: How this air warfare officer handles high-stakes operations in the skies and on land

When he takes to the skies, Captain (CPT) Darryl Hwang can see further than any mortal eye. 

Onboard the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) G550 airborne early warning aircraft, he and his fellow air warfare officers (AWOs) are able to detect threats from more than 370km away with the help of cutting-edge integrated advanced radar and detection systems.

Specifically, CPT Hwang specialises in Air Battle Management (ABM), overseeing air surveillance, identifying enemy positions, as well as coordinating communications between his aircraft and other land or sea assets.

The key to winning aerial battles? Precise communication and maintaining one’s composure in high pressure situations.

“A good plan can only be executed well if it’s communicated well,” says the 28-year-old, who is also an SAF Merit Scholar.

The point was reinforced during last year’s Exercise Pitch Black which took place in Darwin, Australia. The largest iteration of the biennial multinational air combat exercise brought together 20 nations, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, France and Germany. 

With teammates from different cultures, clarity in communication is even more critical. A word that means one thing to an RSAF serviceman might mean something else entirely to a serviceman from a different country’s air force, says CPT Hwang.

For instance, to him and fellow AWOs, “targeted” means to keep an eye on unknown and possibly hostile aircraft. However, to some of his counterparts from other air forces, “targeted” is only used when engaging an enemy contact, resulting in confusion during an air combat exercise. 

So, the foreign counterparts suggested using “monitored” instead. As a result, CPT Hwang and his team had to adjust their terminology to prevent misunderstanding during exercises.

Mastering the art of coordination in the skies

During the mock battle, CPT Hwang was responsible for coordinating 22 aircraft ranging from interceptor fighters to ground-attack aircraft and cargo aircraft. 

Since he was working with several foreign air forces, CPT Hwang had to navigate each country’s organisational structure and working culture, while ensuring effective communication despite varying accents. 

Speaking simply, slowly and clearly was his tactic – something easier said than done in an environment where every second counts, with almost two dozen aircraft in the air and additional “hostile aircraft” appearing with each passing minute.

“It’s really counterintuitive,” he says with a laugh, “given how busy the ‘air battle’ can get.”

CPT Hwang says such battle-tested experiences have made him a lot more confident in his capabilities. As his adaptability to new situations has improved, so has his ability to keep composed under high pressure.

“One of my commanders gave me a good piece of advice, that in times like these, you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall back to basics,” he says. “You learn to treat it as just another scenario, so you don’t get overwhelmed.

“I try to make every day a learning process,” he continues. “Every day, I see myself growing bit by bit, and that’s satisfying for me as an individual.”

From a biology major to data-driven defence

CPT Hwang majored in biology during his undergraduate studies but decided to join the air force instead of pursuing a career in medicine. He was encouraged during his Basic Military Training by one of his seniors – who was, coincidentally, in charge of RSAF’s recruitment – to take up the SAF Merit Scholarship. 

To him, a career in the RSAF was the perfect balance between operations and policy work – especially as a SAF Merit Scholarship recipient, where he would have opportunities to move between units and departments, exploring new possibilities with each new stint. 

Although unrelated to his role as an AWO, his education at Imperial College London – where he received a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences – was fundamental to his professional growth. 

Not only did it help him develop research skills like formulating and investigating hypotheses, but he also sharpened his critical thinking skills and time management, and gained a deeper understanding of how learning takes place. 

Upon graduation, he was posted to the RSAF’s Agile, innovation and Digital (RAiD) Department, particularly its SWiFT Office. 

His five-week stint left an indelible impression. He was given the opportunity to contribute to several ground-up data-driven innovation projects, which helped to diversify his skill sets beyond his primary role as an AWO (ABM) and provided him with a deeper understanding of wider RSAF operations.

These projects also gave him first-hand experience on how the RSAF, and the SAF as a whole, was evolving towards data-driven decision making and digitalisation. He then decided to pursue bioinformatics for his postgraduate studies, fully sponsored by the SAF.

Bioinformatics is the application of computing and analysis tools to capture and interpret biological data, which only helped to further hone his skills in data analysis.

“I was pleasantly surprised at how much breadth the programme had given me, and I am glad that I had picked up some data and digital literacy that has allowed me to understand the world around me better,” he says. 

Embracing new challenges while cherishing bonds

In his current posting at the Force Transformation Office (FTO), CPT Hwang hopes to be able to put these skills to good use.

The FTO plays a key role in the SAF 2040 vision, using lessons from current global conflicts to shape upgrades and enhancements to training, strategies and resource management across all divisions.

Given Singapore’s limited resources – in manpower, finances and land space – FTO personnel like CPT Hwang are collectively responsible for coming up with solutions to scale the SAF’s capabilities using technology. 

Naturally, his role involves plenty of communication with different stakeholders, to align objectives and formulate forward-thinking solutions.

While his new responsibilities allow him to navigate a previously unexplored side of being an AWO, CPT Hwang also misses his colleagues in 111 Squadron. “We went through a lot together,” he says.

But he is quick to add that the same spirit of camaraderie is very much present in the FTO as well. 

“I really treasure the relationships I’ve formed at work,” he says. “We are all working on something meaningful and purposeful, contributing to the defence of Singapore.”

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