This is a discussion on Singapore Army Pictures within the Military Photos & Videos forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; 26 Oct 2011 - Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops deployed in Afghanistan ...
26 Oct 2011 - Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops deployed in Afghanistan yesterday. He was accompanied by Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Ravinder Singh and other senior SAF officers.
1. During his visit to Multinational Base Tarin Kowt (MBTK) located in Oruzgan province, Dr Ng met with:
(i) members of the SAF medical team deployed to provide emergency and trauma care, and primary healthcare to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel as well as to Afghan locals;
Dr Ng interacting with the SAF Medical Team at the field hospital in MBTK.
(ii) members of the SAF's Imagery Analysis Team (IAT) deployed there. The 6-man IAT led by Lieutenant-Colonel Yeoh Keat Hoe augments ISAF's reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities in Oruzgan province; and
(iii) met the SAF's National Contingent Commander Colonel Wong Yu Han at MBTK.
2. Dr Ng also visited the SAF's team of ten Military Institutional Trainers (MIT) deployed at an artillery school at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC).
Army Engineers of the Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) Engineering Team, DTP Team (Engineering) Award winner - (from left to right) Military Expert 3 (ME3) Lim Kim Leng, ME6 Chow Wai Yein, ME2 Lawrence Wong Zheng Kiong, ME1 Hong Guang Yang in a group photo during the WLR's deployment to Afghanistan.
"...This year, an engineering team prize also goes to a team whose work, for the first time, arises from actual field operations. So this I can describe a little bit more, because it is not secret edge. This is the 15-member Weapon Locating Radar Engineering Team, our boys in Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan I just visited, for the last 15 months was subjected to rockets fired from villagers. They shoot and scoot. You could send a UAV there,but then they're gone. So early warning is important. It was interesting because the initial reports, they were housed in bunkers. The bunkers had protection overhead, but the toilet facilities are outside and don't have hardened protection. So early warning in a few seconds is decisive, and we contributed by sending our Weapon Locating Radar from September 2009 to December 2010. It was effective in providing early warning of incoming rockets and prevented death and injury. It gave International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) members stationed at the base a few seconds needed to duct, to dive for cover and move to hardened facility. We sent our Weapon Locating Radar but the serviceability and the down time is critical. Obviously this has to be 24/7 because the insurgents don't tell you when they are going to send you a present. This team's innovative efforts to increase the reliability of the radars allowed us to extend the deployment of the by a few months, and also to extend the hours the radars could be operated per day as it is a very important asset.
My heartiest congratulations to all the winners. Thank you for your excellent work..."
Singapore's Defence Attaché to Thailand, Colonel Tony Teo handing over the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) donation of motorised boats to the Royal Thai Army's (RTA's) Chief of Staff, General Sirichai Distakul.
29 Oct 2011 - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) donated 45 motorised boats to the Royal Thai Army (RTA) in support of the ongoing flood relief efforts in Thailand.
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) personnel loading motorised boats onto a C-130 aircraft this morning for transporting to Thailand.
21 Oct 2011 - The Singapore Government has sent emergency equipment and supplies to Thailand to assist with flood relief efforts. A C-130 aircraft and a KC-135 aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force transported US$115,000 worth of relief supplies, including tents, generators, blankets, lamps and water containers.
RSAF personnel loading flood relief supplies onto a C-130 for transporting to Thailand.
Flood relief supplies being loaded onto a RSAF KC-135 aircraft for transporting to Thailand.
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
New SAF TV advertisment on SAF personnel who share their deployment experiences in Afghanistan (the SAF has deployed as part of ISAF since 2007 and to date over 350 Singaporeans have served in Afghanistan) and the Gulf of Aden (Operation Blue Sapphire is ongoing as the SAF sends various task groups under the command of CTF-151 to disrupt pirate attacks), as well as in Christchurch, New Zealand, in Feb 2011, where they took part in earthquake relief efforts.
Dr Ng being welcomed by Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Tan Kay Kian, team leader of the SAF MITs deployed at KMTC.
"I visited our servicemen in Afghanistan last October and saw for myself the challenges and the risks they faced up close. We continue to help other militaries prevent terrorists from again using Afghanistan to export terrorism. I spoke to commanders from partner militaries there, the Australian Defence Force and the US Armed Forces. They tell me that our operations there have made a difference and that they value our contributions.
At the end of this year, the SAF will have completed five years of deployments to Afghanistan. We started in 2007 in Bamiyan province, with a five-man dental team and a five-man construction engineering team. I remember the dental team sending back a report, and they said that their presence was a welcome relief, literally and metaphorically. Queues of up to one to two hours of people, with decayed teeth. Our deployments peaked in 2010, with about 100 SAF personnel deployed as part of our Weapon Locating Radar detachment, our UAV Task Group, and our medical, surgical, Military Institutional Trainer and imagery analysis teams. At present, the SAF has deployed, in Kabul and Oruzgan, two teams of a total of 15 trainers and a team of six imagery analysts.
We will continue to support the International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF's) strategy to strengthen the capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces to assume responsibility for the security of Afghanistan by 2014. While we continue with our contributions in 2012, we are closely monitoring the transition efforts by ISAF and the SAF will work with our partners towards the future completion of our mission in Afghanistan."
Nov 11, 2011 - The Republic of Singapore Navy has an important role to play not only in protecting Singapore's waters, but also in ensuring maritime security internationally, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. Commenting for the first time on the foiling of two piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden by a SAF task group [in the first week of November 2011], he said he was proud of the role they played in sinking the pirate vessel:
"I think we have played our part and I think others have noticed, so well done to them."
3G SAF: In its journey towards becoming a 3rd Generation fighting force, the SAF has continued to invest steadily in advanced systems and networked capabilities
Exercise Forging Sabre 2011: Personnel from the RSAF and Army orchestrating an integrated strike mission. Elaborating on how Exercise Forging Sabre 2011 is one of the largest and most complex SAF exercises conducted in the US, Exercise Director and Commander, Air Combat Command, Brigadier-General (BG) Lim Yeong Kiat said: "For this year's exercise, by putting all the elements of 2005 and 2009 together to further develop our integrated strike capabilities, we have increased both the scale and complexity of the exercise. "We will simulate a war game scenario where we have a "red" team acting as the opposition, as well as a "blue" team which will have to develop an operational plan against them. The "blue" force will have to contest for the airspace, and fight and win air superiority. They will also have to conduct dynamic targeting to destroy military targets such as enemy capabilities as well as dent their will to continue to fight with us."
A Commando conducting a surveillance mission to locate and track enemy assets. More than 450 airmen and soldiers from Singapore and the RSAF's four training detachments in the US, as well as 25 RSAF aircraft, are involved in the exercise which is into its third instalment since it began in 2005. BG Lim said:"Previously, we focused separately on the tactical development of troops, setting up and fine-tuning the command headquarters and testing new weapons. "We're now ready to bring everything together in more realistic missions... We want to train the way we fight."
An Apache attack helicopter taking off for a mission. BG Lim also noted that because of Singapore's land and airspace constraints, overseas exercises such as Forging Sabre are important in meeting the SAF's training requirements.
Ground crew preparing to arm the F-15SG with the LJDAM. Multifunction displays in the F-15SGs not only displayed air threats, they also enabled aircrew to weave their way into contested airspace while avoiding the range rings of anti-aircraft gun and missile units on their way to the target. With LJDAMs, the RSAF could not only attack static targets but also time-sensitive targets that were on the move.
"We have a long-standing relationship with the US. The US remains one of our strongest and closest defence partners. The US' presence has brought about stability in the region. We have therefore allowed US military aircraft and vessels the use of our facilities since the signing of a MOU in 1990. And in 2005, PM Lee and then-US President George W. Bush signed the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA), to look for ways where we can facilitate the US' continued presence in the region. The deployment to Singapore of the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) is a manifestation of that cooperation.
In line with our 1990 MOU and 2005 SFA, Singapore is working with our US counterparts for one or two LCS to use our facilities after tests and trials on these new ships are completed. We have been informed by the US that this is possibly from 2013, when they will start to deploy these ships. While there may have been some preliminary staff level discussions on increasing this to four by 2016, we will only evaluate it when we receive a formal request from the US. Let me give you some information on the LCS. It is similar in size to our frigates, with about 75 crew members. Like all other US ships and planes that use our facilities, the LCS are not based in Singapore, and the crew members will live on board the LCS throughout the duration of their deployment. While deployed here, the LCS will make port calls around the region to engage other navies through activities in the region.
Our long-standing relationship with the US also affords us access to valuable technology and training opportunities to maintain our superior fighting edge. We currently maintain four Air Force training detachments in the US. At the end of last year, we also held one of our largest integrated live-firing exercises - you saw some of this in the video, whether it's here or in Australia - Exercise Forging Sabre, in Arizona, involved some 450 SAF airmen and soldiers. And the area where it was conducted was 19 times the size of Singapore. It is these realistic conditions that allows us to hone our capabilities and test our doctrines."
Canadian Colonel Mike Minor, Commander Kabul Military Training Centre - Training Advisory Group, thanks Australian personnel and outgoing Artillery Training Advisory Team Commander, Lieutenant Commander Tim Giggs for exemplary work in mentoring Afghan National Army instructors at Camp Alamo, Afghanistan. Colonel Minor welcomed the new Australian ATAT Commander Lieutenant Dave Kelly.
The third rotation of Australia’s Artillery Training Advisory Team detachment (ATAT-3) in Afghanistan handed over to rotation four on 1 March 2012 at a ceremony in Kabul, following a busy eight month deployment. The ATAT is based at the Kabul Military Training Centre (KMTC) and has been operating under the leadership of Australian "gunners" for 17 months. The Australian ATAT 3 contingent was comprised of approximately 20 artillerymen, mostly drawn from the Townsville-based 4 Field Regiment. They formed the core of a multinational team of 150 artillery mentors at ATAT who provide training to around 400 Afghan National Army artillerymen across Afghanistan.
The trainers and mentors from coalition nations, including Singapore at ATAT conduct 10 different artillery courses, from the most basic soldier level up to advance course level for ANA mid ranking officers. For ATAT-3 this included the introduction of a new maintenance course and the expansion of Afghan-wide mobile mentoring teams to deliver operational capability.
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; April 19th, 2012 at 11:37 AM.
Above, Prime Minister Her Excellency Yingluck Shinawatra (3rd from left) and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (2nd from left), accompanied by the two Army Chiefs at the closing ceremony.
Above, Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles from the SAF participating in Exercise Kocha Singa 2012. This year the exercise has grown in size and the exercise is also graced by the presence of the Thai PM (in contrast to the lower key Exercise Kocha Singa 2011).
Quote:
h/t to SiamAirForce for the pix and video links. Below, Thai videos of the live firing at Exercise Kocha Singa 2012 (with the Terrex in action supported by Thai attack helicopters and armour including BRT-3E1s, M-113A5s and M-109A5s):-
New sniper rifles
Location: Pavilion Display at the Infantry booth
Video: Knight's Armament M110 | Sniper Rifle
The 9th Singapore Division/Headquarters Infantry presents new small arms that will allow Singapore Army snipers and marksmen to deliver precision firepower during gunfights, day or night. Visitors are invited to handle three sniper rifles and learn firsthand what's so special about the Knight's Armament M110 semi-automatic 7.62mm rifle (USA), Sako TRG-22 .308 bolt action rifle (Finland) and the Accuracy International AX50 12.7mm bolt action anti-material rifle (England).
Below, SAF's MaxxPro, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, and known as MPTVs in Singapore Army service (and in use in Afghanistan). Singapore has never hesitated in giving its warfighters the extra edge before an operational deployment.
The Terrex represents the motorisation of Singapore's infantry in our forward deployable combined arms divisions. There are 3 combined arms divisions:- 3rd Division, 6th Dvision and 9th Division, a rapid deployment division (or the 21st Division - Commanded by the Chief Guards Officer) and an armoured division (the 25th Division - commanded by the Chief Armour Officer). The infantry in all the above divisions will be trained to use the Terrex (but not all units will be equipped with the Terrex). The Terrex have certain specific roles in our forward defence plans and they are also swim capable.
The Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) is a wheeled armored personnel carrier under development for acquisition by the US Marine Corps (USMC). The MPC is a new capability that will be a multi-wheeled, armored personnel carrier designed to operate across the range of military operations but focused on an irregular warfare operating environment characterized by operations in constrained and urban terrain. On March 23, 2012 Singapore | ST Kinetics, the land systems arm of ST Engineering, and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced that they teamed for the upcoming U.S. Marine Corps Marine Personnel Carrier programme. For more info on ST Kinetics and SAIC offering in the MPC Programme, see the link to the ST Press Release. Further, on 6 November 2012, it was announced that the Terrex was accepted by the USMC for the demonstration and studies phase of the MPC programme.
A SAW gunner from 5 SIR making sure his surroundings are clear of any opposition forces before making his next move
Over five days and four nights in vast tracts of unfamiliar terrain, the infantry soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (5 SIR), executed dismounted attacks, performed a helicopter insertion and fought opposition forces in a built-up area.
5 SIR troopers break a window to access the container.
Taking the troops through long stretches of uneven ground in an area several times the size of Singapore were the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVs), the latest infantry asset of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Soldiers from 5 SIR moving cautiously upstairs to clear the area of any opposition forces.
These operations were part of the battalion's Army Training Evaluation Centre (ATEC) evaluation, held from 2 to 6 Oct at Exercise Wallaby 2012 in Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Queensland, Australia. During the five-day evaluation, 5 SIR was assessed on its ability to plan and execute specific operations, which included dismounted attacks, helicopter insertions and combat in built-up areas. Besides warfighting capabilities, other aspects such as casualty evacuation and treatment were also evaluated.
Soldiers from the opposition force using an Aggressor Armoured Simulation Kit (AASK) to "take down" the incoming Terrex ICVs.
An ATEC evaluation tests the combat proficiency and operational standards of a unit to ensure that its operational readiness is maintained, and fighting capabilities are kept sharp to deal with potential threats. In a typical ATEC appraisal, soldiers from the ATEC's Opposing Force (OPFOR) Company play the role of the "thinking enemy", while a core team of umpires shadow the various appointment holders - from the Commanding Officer to the section commanders - throughout the entire period. This is to ensure a fair and credible assessment of the unit's overall performance.
Terrex ICVs open fire on the opposition force (in jeep) during 5 SIR's ATEC.
Explaining the value of conducting motorised infantry battalion training at Exercise Wallaby, Exercise Frame 1 Commander and Commander 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade, Colonel (COL) Seet Uei Lim, said: "The vast training space allows the Terrex ICVs to manoeuvre long distances and conduct live-firing at the battalion level with various land and air platforms. This is something that we're unable to do back home due to space limitation. "The involvement in the exercise tests the combat proficiency of the soldiers at both the individual and battalion levels. It raises the unit's proficiency and readiness."
The Terrex ICVs at the live firing and using their .50 calibre heavy machine guns to full effect
On the debut of the motorised infantry battalion at Exercise Wallaby, COL Seet explained that the training cycle of 5 SIR coincided with this year's exercise and was therefore timely for the battalion to participate in the integrated live-firing to validate its networked fighting capabilities.
5 SIR Pioneers clearning a simulated minefield to enable vehicles and other reinforcements to pass through.
Since taking delivery of the Terrex ICVs in 2010, 5 SIR is the second operationalised motorised infantry battalion, following 2 SIR. The latter attained its operational status in May last year.
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; December 10th, 2012 at 07:46 AM.
LTC Peter Chee (standing), Commanding Officer of 5 SIR, giving an update to COL Seet Uei Lim (first row, second from left), Exercise Wallaby Frame 1 Commander and Commander 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade, at the command post.
The 700-strong battalion is the SAF's first motorised infantry battalion to take part in the 22nd edition of the annual exercise, which features the networked air-land capabilities of the 3rd Generation SAF. The battalion's training will culminate in an integrated live-firing exercise on 10 Oct, which will see the Terrex ICVs operating for the first time together with other armoured and air assets at SWBTA.
During Exercise Wallaby, the ALTaCC (Air-Land Tactical Control Centre) from the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Participation Command manages the airspace above the area of operations so that air power can be utilised effectively to shape the land battle.
The STORM team comprises six soldiers who specialise in the search and destruction of targets. They operate on mobile platforms and work closely with the scout team to spot enemy targets. At the command of the Battalion HQ, the STORM team activates artillery and air assets to engage the target. In the background, the Air-Land Tactical Control Centre (ALTaCC) coordinates the deployment of air assets and manages the airspace to facilitate enemy target engagement. At this year's live-firing, the scout and STORM teams were mounted on the Terrex ICVs. This enabled them to move faster, resulting in closer coordination among the sensors and shooters.
An AH-64D Apache helicopter firing its rockets during the live firing at Exercise Wallaby 2012.
COL Tan explained: "When the sensor (scout team) passes surveillance information to the STORM team, the latter is able to locate the enemy target quickly and activate the shooters (Apache helicopters) to strike the target at the right time and the right spot."
The Skyblade III mini-UAV being launched to provide an aerial live feed of the surroundings to the ground control station.
At the integrated live-firing exercise, the Terrex ICVs, which equip the infantry troops with more mobility, firepower, protection and networked capabilities, will operate alongside land and air platforms, including the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), Skyblade III Mini-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.
A medic attending to a simulated casualty during 5 SIR's ATEC evaluation.
5 SIR soldiers evacuating a "casualty" after the end of their missions.
A Medical Terrex ICV moving into position to evacuate casualties.
Battalion Casualty Station deployed to attend to any casualties sustained during the missions.
Exercise Wallaby 2012 takes place over 65 days and spans across three frames, with motorised infantry battalion training, air-land integration training and armour battalion training as the highlights of each frame. This year's exercise, held from 22 Sep to 24 Nov, involves more than 4,300 SAF personnel and over 350 SAF platforms.
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; December 10th, 2012 at 12:25 AM.
Mr Lee was hosted by Chief of Army (COA), MG Ravinder Singh and accompanied by Mrs Lee; Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman; and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Community Development, Youth & Sports, Sam Tan Chin Siong. Also present were various senior commanders of the SAF, including Commander 3rd Division, BG Perry Lim; Assistant Chief of General Staff (Training) COL Wong Yu Han; Commander 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade, COL Seet Uei Lim; and Sergeant Major of the Army, CWO Tang Peck Oon.
During the visit, Mr Lee witnessed an integrated air-land live-firing exercise involving platforms such as the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks, Skyblade III Mini-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, AH-64D Apache helicopters, and the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV) which are participating in Exercise Wallaby for the first time this year.
PM Lee being introduced to the SPIKE Anti-Tank Guided Missile.
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; December 2nd, 2012 at 10:04 PM.
TARIN KOT, Afghanistan (Nov. 28, 2012) – The Afghan National Army (ANA) has made a significant step to bolster its independence in specialist capabilities by leading the Explosive Hazard Reductions Course (EHRC) for the first time at Multi National Base Tarin Kot. Seven ANA instructors trained a group of 22 Afghan soldiers in the techniques to counter insurgent placed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and unexploded ordnance that maim and kill innocent civilians in Uruzgan province. The soldiers graduated from the three week course on 26 November 2012.
Photography by: Leading Seaman Andrew Dakin, 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit, Commonwealth of Australia
Singapore Armed Forces Captain Ranon Li and Australian Army Captain Steven Barns observe Afghan National Army Lance Corporal Barakatullah Ihsaunllah marking the ground where a potential explosive hazard lies during training at the Counter Improvised Explosive Device range at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Alhaj Mohammad from the Afghan National Army with observers 3rd Warrant Officer Alex Liao from the Singapore Armed Forces and Australian soldier Lance Corporal Hayden Griffiths at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
Instructors at the Counter Improvised Explosive Device range, (left - right) Afghan National Army Sergeant Abdul Basir, Singapore Armed Forces Captain NG Chung Wee, 2nd Class Warrant Officer Ang Chee Siong, Afghan National Army Sergeant Mohammad Usman and Sapper Luke Ryder at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
Singapore Armed Forces Captain Ranon Li addresses the first Afghan led Explosive Hazard Reductions Course during their graduation ceremony at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
An Afghan National Army soldier receives his award from Executive Officer 4th Brigade Colonel Muhammad Qasem during the first Afghan led Explosive Hazard Reduction Course.
The EHRC has produced ten groups of graduates since June 2010. It was previously run by Australian and Singaporean mentors, who have now moved into an advisory role for the ANA instructors.
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; December 15th, 2012 at 04:45 AM.
From 16 October to 4 November, the HIMARS operators of 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery (23 SA) showed their mettle at Exercise Daring Warrior 2012 held in Fort Sill, Oklahoma - the third HIMARS live-firing exercise conducted since the platform was delivered to the SAF in 2010. Exercise Daring Warrior was valuable opportunity to learn from and train with the US Armed Forces.
The 2-day bilateral live-firing exercise involved the SAF’s HIMARS and Apache AH- 64D Attack Helicopters; while the US forces included their fighter aircraft (F-16 and F-18), M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzers, and Ground Liaison & Targeting teams.
For the 23 SA personnel, the highlight of their exercise was their Field Artillery Training Evaluation Programme (FATEP) evaluation. Besides the HIMARS, other SAF weapon systems, including the Apache AH-64D Attack Helicopters and Artillery Hunting Radar (ARTHUR), were also in action at the exercise. Outside the unilateral training, our men also participated in an integrated air-land exercise with the US Army and Air Force.
Commanding Officer of 23 SA, LTC Vincent Koh, also commended his soldiers, “The different terrain poses challenges to the crew – they have to find new launcher hides, new firing points and deployment areas. They also have to travel very large distances in the given short time. The men’s ability to quickly adapt so impressed the evaluators that we were viewed as an operational battery rather than just a training battery.”
During the exercise, Singapore's Strike Observer Mission (STORM) teams were able to not only call for fire from SAF weapons platforms but also the US operated Paladin and F-18 fighter aircraft. Similarly, the US Fire Support Teams (FIST) proved their capability when they received support from the SAF platforms. In future battlefield, such integration can prove decisive.
More Than Meets the Eye
Launching the rockets is more complicated than a ‘push button’ procedure, as there are many steps leading up to the launch. During an actual operation, the process of receiving the fire mission starts at the Division Strike Centre (DSC) where the potential targets and mission objectives are determined. The actual targets are identified by sensors such as those operated by recce forces or carried in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The DSC sends the fire mission to the battery command post which will assign the mission to the appropriate platoon for execution. Prior to launch, the HIMARS launchers need to first move into their positions in the field; with their crews taking great care to conceal their launchers to avoid detection by the hostile forces. Upon receiving the mission, they move out into the open to unleash their ‘steel rain’.
While the live-firing is expected to proceed like clock work in an actual operation, precautions are taken during a training exercise as safety is paramount. The position safety officer involved is responsible for the safety of the firing. Prior to launch, the firers confirm their calculations with the position safety officer and the battery command post to ensure that the rockets will land within a safe area. Sentries are positioned along the roads to ensure that no vehicles pass under the path of the rockets.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Chief of the US Army’s Field Artillery Branch, Brigadier-General (BG) Brian J. McKiernan, said:
“We have a lot of experience training with and learning with the Singapore Armed Forces. Many of their officers come to our professional military education courses here at Fort Sill, and they perform exceedingly well. It’s not uncommon to find them scoring at the top of their classes and graduating with honours from all of our instruction.”
The bilateral live - firing proved to be a unique learning opportunity for both Singapore HIMARS operators and their US counterparts operating the Paladin Howitzers. CPT Brian McCoy, ‘A’ Battery Commander, 2-5th Field Artillery shared:
“To combine artillery fire with close air support as well as helicopters and to do that on a bilateral level is something we don’t get to do quite often. From that standpoint, it is quite a unique and exciting exercise for us. It has also been a unique experience for me personally to understand more about Singaporean culture and for us to share about our culture. For most of my soldiers, this is their first interaction on an international level so it has been a good experience for them as well.”
8 Feb 2013 - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will conclude all its deployments in Afghanistan by June 2013, said Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Overseas Service Medal (OSM) Presentation Ceremony held at Pasir Laba Camp on 8 Feb 2013. This is because the primary mission of handing over the security of the area to the local Afghans has been accomplished.
Operating as part of the International Security Assistance Force, a 43-nation, 86,000-strong coalition mandated by the United Nations, the SAF went on to contribute expertise such as Construction Engineering Teams who oversaw the construction of infrastructure such as a regional health training centre and Imagery Analysis Teams which provided imagery interpretation and analysis support for multinational troops.
The 54 medal recipients in Feb 2013 comprised of:
(i) a 10-man team of MITs who trained the ANA at the Kabul Military Training Centre Artillery School;
(ii) two five-man teams of MITs who partnered the ADF in Oruzgan to train ANA commanders to detect and identify IEDs;
(iii) two six-man Imagery Analysis Teams who provided imagery interpretation and analysis support for multinational troops operating in Oruzgan; and
(iv) two officers who were deployed in Timor-Leste at the UNMIT HQ.
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; February 12th, 2013 at 02:07 AM.
