This is a discussion on Singapore Army Pictures within the Military Photos & Videos forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; Pixs of Leopard 2 Tanks in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
According to the original Mindef announcement in Dec 2006 ...
Pixs of Leopard 2 Tanks in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
According to the original Mindef announcement in Dec 2006, Singapore initially acquired 66 refurbished Leopard 2A4s + 30 spare tanks (which adds up to 96 tanks). Depending on how you interpret a 2007 newspaper report, it could mean that Singapore acquired 96 +36 Leopard 2A4 tanks (for a total of a 132 tanks), while there are others in Singapore who believe that the actual numbers for the 2A4s are 66+36 (for a total of a 102 tanks) and the 30 spare tanks are actually other variants like the Buffel ARV shown in the next post below. Interestingly, SIPRI data suggests that Singapore ordered 110 Leopard 2A4s and Buffel Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) - which could potentially mean 102 Leopard 2A4s and 8 Buffel ARVs (thought that is unlikely). For more comparative data see the SIPRI thread in DT here.
In the November 2008 issue of ADJ, the then MG Neo Kian Hong (and current CDF) also said the the Leopard 2A4s would be upgraded and below are pictures of the Leopard 2A4 upgrade (see post #51 in another DT pix thread for more info).
Top view of the Leopard 2A4 and the uparmoured version side by side
Side View of the uparmoured Leopard 2-SG
Waylander has noted that IBD said that they developed this for one special customer and weasel1962 has also pointed out the similarities found in the hinge mechanism of the AMAP(Advanced Modular Armour Protection) system by IBD.
I note that in Nov 2008, I posted a link at post #48 of another thread that showed a ST Kinetics (STK) made Bronco with Active Defense System AMAP-ADS and Multi-Purpose IED-Protection on display EUROSATORY 2008 (click on link for 2008 IBD news).
Videos of Singapore 2010 National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsals - mobile column
[h/t to spiderweb6969, owd33, XaberXV-25, weasel1962, gary1910 and xtemujin of the milnuts gang]
In an April 2010 interview with Defence News, Singapore's DPM Teo Chee Hean revealed that Singapore spends about 4.5 percent of GDP on defence) and the Singapore 2010 budget for defence set at S$11.46 billion dollars (or US$8.13 billion).
Hopefully the other Singaporean members will come here and post more pixs.
Last edited by OPSSG; March 23rd, 2013 at 10:54 PM.
There's also a DT thread discussing the SAF's Leopard 2s here. Below is one of those posts which discusses the upgrades:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red
1) They will retain the L44 120mm gun for the time being while retaining the possbility of upgrading them to the L55 gun in future. SAF feels that the L44 will be more than adequate currently given our own threat scenarios. Instead, the SAF will leverage on new versatile kinetic energy and multiple purpose ammunition(advanced kinetic energy rounds and programmable fuze, multi-purpose rounds) to hit and kill targets.
2) New network-centric Battlefield management system to be installed so that the Leos are linked to the SAF`s over-arching battle network.(Already known)
3) New "data-bus" system for better connectivity(SAF`s UAVs and other network centric systems)
4) New Auxilliary Power Unit for better sustainability and power
5) New fire control system for enhanced lethality
6) New armour modules "all-round" for better protection;hence new look
7) New running gear to cater for new weight growth due to new armour; im guessing it will probably be in the range of 60-65 tons.
The concept of a Thunder Run is to thrust a sizeable force into the heart of the enemy’s nerve centre and establish itself there to threaten the physical sanctuary of the enemy’s leaders and psychologically defeat them. Some of the fiercest fighting pursuant to the 2nd American Thunder Run (7 to 8 April 2003) occurred at the 3 objectives at a series of east-west road junctions along Highway 8, named Curley, Larry, and Moe. Each of these 3 objectives along Highway 8 were seized by a company sized combined arms team from TF 3-15 Infantry (click here for details of the fight at Curley, Larry, and Moe) to hold the 3 objectives so as to keep the MSR (Highway 8) open to enable resupply of the armoured forces of 2nd BCT that were involved in the 2nd Thunder Run into Baghdad.
After reading the articles recommended, it is clear that in 2006, the SAF intended to acquire the capability that is finally being unveiled in 2010. The acquisition of the L2-SG and it's supporting platforms is designed to enable the Singapore army to conduct a Thunder Run into an urban area. And as you can see, it took the SAF 5 years from concept to execution but the focus is not on a single platform, rather, it is on delivering a capability (supported by ISR, a range of sympathetic platforms and systems) with a strong focus on the army's ability to prosecute, project, promote, persist and maintain a presence in an urban environment. Though persistence is an issue as we have a mainly conscript based army.
For some background, I recommend reading David Zucchino's book, 'Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad' and this Charlie Rose interview with Col. H.R. McMaster, famous for his successful counter-insurgency tactics at Tal Afar in OIF and the Battle of 73 Easting in Desert Storm.
Side view of the Leopard 2 Bergepanzer III ARV, also known as the Buffel (Buffalo).
Since this is a picture thread about the Singapore Army, I thought we should post an image of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) crest. This picture is taken at the Army Museum of Singapore. The tiles and the crest are smelted from Singapore's de-commissioned AMX-13 SM1 tanks (which are going to be retired soon). xtemujin, has taken a beautiful picture, which is pictured below:
The Malay words 'Tentera Singapura' literally translated means 'Singapore Army' or alternatively it can be translated as 'Singapore Armed Forces'. The slogan ' Yang Pertama Dan Utama' means 'The first and foremost'.
During July 1969, the SAF obtained the first batch AMX-13s. At the parade on 9 August 1969, showed for the first time of column of 18 second hand AMX-13s, which started the tradition of show tanks during certain national day parades. The appearance of tanks was surprise for Singapore's neighbours and served as an effective deterrent against overt hostility. That is why, Singaporeans like me are really fond of this tank and what it symbolizes.
Last edited by OPSSG; March 23rd, 2013 at 10:55 PM.
Below, an Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS) equipped platoon commander and his signaller running for cover at the Murai Urban Training Facility. In trials, ACMS enables new intelligence information flowing to troops almost twice as quickly, down from 13 to 7 minutes. Further, effective distribution of the information was also found to have improved. Basically, ACMS allows a section of infantry to call upon fire support systems that aren’t held at the section level to engage specific targets they do not have the capability to engage effectively. Further, one of the goals of ACMS is to enable the section commander to “see one block away”, via a virtual presence via UAVs or such other assets.
According to the June 2010 issue of the Asian Military Review (at page 7), quoted below:
"While ST Kinetics has provided the integration for the systems, the approach has taken component systems from companies around the world including the SSR radios from Selex Communications and the SO35 Helmet Mounted Display from Rockwell Collins.
The programme began in 1998 with the first demonstrator systems rapidly working up to company level and representative battalion level exercises which concluded in 2009. The trials showed that information dissemination speeds doubled with the accuracy of enemy reporting rising from 30 percent to 80 percent."
An ACMS equipped section of Singapore infantry disembarking from a Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV). Each Terrex ICV is equipped with an Australian made EOS-600 remote weapon station (RWS) with typical Singaporean modifications and 11 cameras to enable the troops inside to a a full 360 degree view all round the vehicle. There's also an acoustic small arms detector that slews the RWS to the direction of enemy small arms fire (click here for a review by Jane's on the Terrex ICV).
CJ took this picture of a bespectacled company marksman brooding over his Mini Hecate 7.62mm sniper rifle. The above are but some of the changes made to enable the SAF to be better prepared for urban warfare. In fact, the urban warfare scenario used in the following 2009 operational research article, 'The Effects of Terrain on a System of Systems' by CPT Ong Cher Howe, was developed with the assistance of retired Marine Corp COL Edwards Lesnowiz.
For an idea of the complexity involved in urban warfare (in particular, the coordination), read 'The USMC Approach to CAS in Fallujah (Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3)'. In the 2004 battle of Fallujah (Operation Al-Fajr and Operation Phantom Fury), US aircraft dropped or fired approximately 318 precision bombs, 391 rockets and missiles, and 93,000 machinegun or cannon rounds. The CAS deployed was further augmented by over 6,000 artillery rounds and close to 9,000 mortar rounds in direct support.
Last edited by OPSSG; October 10th, 2010 at 01:10 AM.
CJ took this picture of a bespectacled company marksman brooding over his Mini Hecate 7.62mm sniper rifle. The above are but some of the changes made to enable the SAF to be better prepared for urban warfare. In fact, the urban warfare scenario used in the following 2009 operational research article, 'The Effects of Terrain on a System of Systems' by CPT Ong Cher Howe, was developed with the assistance of retired Marine Corp COL Edwards Lesnowiz.
For an idea of the complexity involved in urban warfare (in particular, the coordination), read 'The USMC Approach to CAS in Fallujah (Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3)'. In the 2004 battle of Fallujah (Operation Al-Fajr and Operation Phantom Fury), US aircraft dropped or fired approximately 318 precision bombs, 391 rockets and missiles, and 93,000 machinegun or cannon rounds. The CAS deployed was further augmented by over 6,000 artillery rounds and close to 9,000 mortar rounds in direct support.
I sincerely hope he intends wearing contact lenses if he intends using that, otherwise he'd better carry a spare set of glasses? I've yet to meet a military sniper using a 7.62mm (.308) weapon attempting to complete a sniper shoot wearing glasses, sniper eye plus broken glass anyone? One assumes this chap has been 'signed-out from stores' for the photo op only
Last edited by OPSSG; July 11th, 2010 at 07:37 AM.
I sincerely hope he intends wearing contact lenses if he intends using that, otherwise he'd better carry a spare set of glasses? I've yet to meet a military sniper using a 7.62mm (.308) weapon attempting to complete a sniper shoot wearing glasses, sniper eye plus broken glass anyone? One assumes this chap has been 'signed-out from stores' for the photo op only
Maybe there are no "speckie" snipers - yet. ( IIRC we already have speckie pilots.)
But wearing glasses is not necessarily a hindrance to good marksmanship.
On the flip side there are people with perfect eyesight who can't shoot accurately no matter how you train them.
I wear glasses - AND - a marksman badge. Good eyesight is merely one part of being a great shooter, the other is technique.
And then don't forget the least scientific ingredient: instinct.
All my shots are "guestimate" as the rifle muzzle will always be moving due to breathing. Worst after running 100m during rundown. So it is your instinct at which moment you squeeze the trigger.
...
On a more humourous note...
Also bear in mind one true fact: Singapore has the highest density of people wearing specs - IN THE WORLD. Kid you not.
(I cannot find any reason for this as many other asian countries lead the similar lifestyles to us, similar diet, but do not have a problem... at least not like ours in terms of scale. So I suspect it's high time for us Singaporeans to look outside our little island and marry foreign spouses to help refresh the gene pool. )
More pictures from Singapore's 45th National Day Parade Rehearsals. It's little wonder that the Leopard tanks have pride of place in this year's national day parade, as the Chairman of this year's EXCO for NDP 2010 is Col. Benedict Lim. Col. Lim is Chief Armour Officer and Commander 25th Division, which is designated as an Army Operational Reserve (AOR) division.
Leopard 2-SG
Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carriers driving past City Hall as part of the mobile column for this year's National Day Parade. With heavy duty seamless rubber tracks, it is the quietest tracked vehicle on parade and asserts only a ground pressure of 60 kPa to enable it to operate in soft ground conditions. It's also swim capable and can achieve a swimming speed of 5 km/h.
According to CJ, the road marshals (controlling the speed of the speed of the mobile column), like the one pictured in the foreground below, are from the 41st Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (41 SAR) and the 48th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR). Traffic marshal operations in the stadium area are led by Captain Jimmy Goh and his team from 41 SAR. CPT Lee and the tankees from 1st Company 48 SAR shoulder traffic marshal duties from Nicoll Highway onwards (see CJ's blog for more details). In the background is a 30 ton class Counter-Mine Vehicle built on the Bionix chassis called the Trailblazer. The Trailblazer uses a mine flail system. In addition to mine-clearing, the Trailblazer is able to mark its trails using a lane marking system with pneumatically fired rods, enabling vehicles to quickly travel behind the Trailblazer safely without losing momentum.
The Spike-equipped ATGM platoon, on their Light Strike Vehicle (LSV), from the 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (3rd Guards), waiting for their turn to drive past City Hall as part of the mobile column. 3rd Guards is part of 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB). 7 SIB is in turn, part of 21st Division. Like the 25th Division, it is listed as an AOR division. The 21st Division is essentially a rapid deployment force composed primarily of Guards, elite infantry trained in both amphibious and heliborne assault. The armoured and artillery component of the division is presumed to be lightweight, amphibious and capable of rapid deployment.
Last edited by OPSSG; October 19th, 2010 at 08:12 AM.
July 17, 2010 - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) took the wraps off its MaxxPro MRAP vehicles today.
Three armoured Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, looking somewhat out of place in tropical Singapore wearing desert warpaint, formed part of the National Day Parade Mobile Column. At the time of writing, the MaxxPros are due to take part in the fifth Combined Rehearsal (CR5).
You can see them as part of the Overseas Missions vehicles, which make up Wave Eleven at the tail end of the 2-km long column formed by 210 vehicles from the SAF and Home Team. At the time of writing, if you hurry down to the Padang you should be able to see them drive past around 19:00 Hotel this evening.
Known in Singapore Army service as MPTVs, these armoured 4x4s are understood to be destined for service in Afghanistan as transports for SAF peace keepers.
Singapore has never hesitated in giving its warfighters the extra edge before an operational deployment. The wealthy city state is fortunate it has the financial reserves for such acquisitions and a proper, well-managed drawer plan that scales up the SAF's fighting edge as circumstances prescribe.
The Army's MaxxPros are armed with a remote weapon station mounted with a 12.7mm CIS 50 heavy machine gun and possibly another sensor/weapon to the right of the HMG.
Senang Diri understands that the SAF's search for an MRAP-type vehicle pitted the MaxxPro against the Marauder MRAP, designed by a group of South African defence engineers.
MaxxPros have been in SAF service for some months.
The unveiling of the MaxxPros should be seen in the context of the Singapore Army's greater emphasis on protecting its personnel from direct fire anti-tank munitions and roadside bombs. This is evident when one looks at the add-on armour package fitted to the Leopard 2A4s and the additional bird cage armour fitted to Warthog vehicles that Singapore has built for the British Army. Not to be discounted is the protective role that improved battlefield awareness can serve in protecting SAF personnel, as well as better combat casualty care provided by SAF medical units.
Senang Diri understands that soft skin vehicles now used by SAF teeth arms and combat service support units will eventually be phased out of service. This underscores the SAF's awareness that its area of operations may not have clearly defined front lines, which explains why its logistics train will be hardened.
Alongside these hardware enhancements are moves to raise a number of Civil-Military Relations (CMR) battalions. In the event deterrence fails, these CMR battalions will serve a critical role in the area of operations as hostile units are systematically destroyed and order is restored under Singaporean command.
Observers should note that SAF vehicles taking part in NDP 2010 form only a small part of the armoured and soft skin vehicles that serve Singaporean soldiers, sailors and airmen.
Below are pixs of MPTVs by xtemujin, who is also a member of our forum.
Like the Terrex, the MPTVs are armed with an Australian made EOS R-600 (see brochure) Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS) mounted with a ST Kinetics 12.7mm CIS 50 heavy machine gun. Singapore is the launch customer for the R-600, which is believed to be the first product of its kind - the DRWS can be fitted with a 40 mm AGL and a 7.62 mm combo OR a single 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
Below are pixs of MPTVs by xtemujin, who is also a member of our forum.
Like the Terrex, the MPTVs are armed with an Australian made EOS R-600 (see brochure) Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS) mounted with a ST Kinetics 12.7mm CIS 50 heavy machine gun. Singapore is the launch customer for the R-600, which is believed to be the first product of its kind - the DRWS can be fitted with a 40 mm AGL and a 7.62 mm combo OR a single 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
I am sure they are fine but they look awfully top heavy, moving on uneven ground at speed might be tricky but looks can be deceiving.
I remember moving a M113ACV on a Mack 6x6 for an ex and was a little bit unnerving rolling all over the place and started kicking the track boards out from under the track, RAEME where with us and we jack it up on the tray of the Mack sledge hammer the board back under, then emptied about 6 or so jerry’s of water from the top made it 100% better.
Last edited by OPSSG; August 14th, 2010 at 11:35 PM.
More Singapore Army pictures from the recently concluded 45th NDP and the earlier rehearsals. It's little wonder that the Leopard tanks and the Bionix IFVs have pride of place in this year's national day parade, as the Chairman of this year's EXCO for NDP 2010 is Col. Benedict Lim. Col. Lim is Chief Armour Officer and Commander 25th Division, which is designated as an Army Operational Reserve (AOR) division.
For NDP, a total of 20 military aircraft, including F-5s, F-16s, F-15SGs and G550 CAEW aircraft made an aerial fly-past. The crowd was also thrilled by the free-fall displays by eight parachutists who jumped out from a Chinook helicopter above the Padang. This was followed by the biggest mobile column ever, featuring 210 military vehicles, some of which are Singapore-made, ranging from Leopard 2-SG main battle tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, air defence weapon systems and vehicles from the Home Team (Police and Civil Defence).
Quote:
Originally Posted by t68
I am sure they are fine but they look awfully top heavy, moving on uneven ground at speed might be tricky but looks can be deceiving.
Source: AsiaOne
Like you, I'm a fan of calling a spade, a spade. Like other vehicles with a V-shaped hull, it looks top heavy but I'm sure others will point out that there is a variant that has a DXM suspension system, provided by Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems and AxleTech International - which is called the MaxxPro Dash. This version improves the vehicle’s off-road capabilities, which is vital given Afghanistan’s lack of road infrastructure.
I suspect these MPTVs will be used by our guys in a more road bound role. Later this year, the SAF is going to send 6 to 10 guys from the artillery formation (along with Australian Defence Force trainers) to help set up an artillery school for the ANA and a 52-man UAV team (see link). In both cases, these Singaporeans sent in our mini-surge to 162 troops (over and above the existing teams deployed and up from 97 last year) should be quite road/track bound.
However, I'm sure we are not going to send our guys to Afghanistan in these:
The Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) has great off-road mobility but zero protection against IEDs and small arms. And we deployed the LSV in East Timor . See this video on the LSV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUdI42HUw4o&feature=related.
Quote:
Originally Posted by t68
I remember moving a M113ACV on a Mack 6x6 for an ex and was a little bit unnerving rolling all over the place and started kicking the track boards out from under the track, RAEME where with us and we jack it up on the tray of the Mack sledge hammer the board back under, then emptied about 6 or so jerry’s of water from the top made it 100% better.
LOL
I find that I get more 'car sick' in an armoured vehicle during night movement (as compared to day movement). Do you feel the same?
Last edited by OPSSG; October 19th, 2010 at 08:18 AM.
I find that I get more 'car sick' in an armoured vehicle during night movement (as compared to day movement). Do you feel the same?
I only had a restricted licence for the M113 only load/unload for transport. But when we were doing the restricted driver course it only the basic knowledge for the bucket, we did have a little play at the back of Holsworthy airfield had to shoot down the long straight at speed under the direction of a crew commander giving instructions he said give it some so i did then told me lets head back so i just pulled back on the stick, you should have seen his face when we pulled up you where supposed to back off first, jeez it was fun!!!
Some new pictures of the SAF in Afghanistan
- Operation Blue Ridge
17 Oct 2010 -- The SAF currently has a 21-man Weapon Locating Radar Team (WLRT), a 52-man Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Task Group deployed in Uruzgan province, 4-man team of institutional trainers in Kabul, and a 6-man Construction Engineering Team (CET) in Bamiyan province. The CET has completed it's mission and will return soon and the WLRT will eventually be replaced by the new Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Sense and Warn system, which will be operated by the Australians (see link).
The UAV Task Group belongs to the RSAF but I think it makes sense to fit the pictures in this section, given that they arise because of Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing's visit to the troops. At the same time, RSAF Chief of Staff Air Staff, Brigadier-General (BG) Hoo Cher Mou, visited the SAF's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Task Group and the Weapon Locating Radar team deployed in Uruzgan province.
From left: 1WO Nedun, LTC Nicholas Seow, CPT Prem Goh, and LTA Wu Wenjie were deployed to Kabul as part of the coalition forces to train the Afghanistan National Army's (ANA) School of Artillery
The 4-man team in Kabul are institutional trainers to the ANA School of Artillery. See this ISAF video on ANA soldiers running through gun drills at Kabul Military Training Center, Kabul, Afghanistan, with advisers from Singapore aiding them (a Singaporean artillery trainer, 1WO Nedun, appears at 2:45 onwards):
This means that there are at least 83 SAF personnel deployed in Afghanistan. The numbers may grow slightly, later in the year.
------------------- Below the SAF in Bamiyan Province -------------------
Map on the Left. Location of Bamiyan Province in Afghanistan
Map on the Right. Original and Newly Established PRTs in 2004
During his visit to Bamiyan, MG Chan expressed his appreciation to the SAF's partners in Bamiyan, in particular the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), for the support they have provided for the SAF's deployment. He also thanked the local Afghans for their hospitality and assistance. MG Chan also visited the SAF Construction Engineering Team (CET) in Bamiyan province. In a ceremony held earlier, the SAF handed over the Foladi Comprehensive Health Clinic (FCHC) to the local Afghan authorities.
Above, Chief of Army MG Chan interacting with LTC Royston Lim (left) from SAF's Construction Engineering Team and LTC Andrew Fox (right) from New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZ PRT) during his visit to the SAF troops deployed in Afghanistan.
Quote:
I believe that LTC Royston Lim was previously caught on camera on 5 August 2010 standing between the Provincial Governor, Dr Habiba Sarabi and the Acting Provincial Chief of Police, as they were paying respects to the fallen Lieutenant (LT) Tim O’Donnell from the NZ PRT in Afghanistan.
RIP. The fallen LT Tim O’Donnell, being sent home in a simple ramp ceremony below. See NZDF's website for more details.
[h/t to VAMAN]
From left : COL Desmond Tan, LTC Alywin Tan and COL Kenneth Liow meeting up the locals in Bamiyan
The SAF CET utilised the SAF-funded Regional Health Training Centre (RHTC) project in the summer of 2008 to complement and integrate NGO, CERP and USAID healthcare projects/programmes in Bamiyan. Although the RHTC's construction process was itself challenging due to work-site disruptions, intimidation and threats by ex-landowners, contractor competency and bureaucratic "roadblocks" posed by other government ministries, the SAF CET sought to concurrently engage, include and enthuse the other healthcare stakeholders in Bamiyan. It succeeded in helping the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) frame and initiate a system to, in military parlance, "Raise, Train and Sustain" the province's healthcare workers (see Figure below).
The RHTC provided a critical single-stop facility for the healthcare workers' skills sustenance training (i.e. upgrading and refresher training). The healthcare workers, comprising doctors, nurses, midwives, vaccinators, health supervisors and trainers, etc., underwent these courses sponsored by USAID, the Aga Khan Health Services and other healthcare-oriented NGOs. The RHTC also enabled NGOs, like Marie Stoppes International (MSI) and Afghan Red Crescent Society, to run ailment/condition-specific workshops and public education programs, e.g. family planning, child mortality prevention, nutrition and communicable diseases prevention.
In addition, roving RHTC-certified trainers also visited USAID- and US CERP-constructed, but NGO-operated, District Hospitals (DHs), and People's Health Clinics (PHCs) throughout the province to:
(i) audit and sustain the skills of doctors, nurses, mid-wives and vaccinators;
(Ii) conduct basic health education for villagers; and
(iii) train and sustain the skills of Community Medics (CMs) "raised" by the villages.
Thus, each PHC also served as a skills training, education and medical supply node for approximately 50-60 CMs deployed in the surrounding Village Health Posts.
By connecting the RHTC to the various healthcare centres, by synergising the healthcare-oriented NGOs' resources and focus, and by helping to establish a role for the community to play, this training and clinic/hospital operation network encouraged and proliferated community participation and healthcare ownership.
________________
“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; March 2nd, 2011 at 03:10 PM.
Some pictures of the SAF in Afghanistan (2 of 2 posts)
- Operation Blue Ridge
The SAF in Uruzgan province (which is also sometimes spelled as Oruzgan province). Below a map of Afghanistan showing the location of Oruzgan province:
Above, RSAF's Chief of Staff Air Staff BG Hoo Cher Mou (far right) addressing personnel from the SAF’s Weapon Locating Radar team and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Task Group.
Below, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Alvin Chan receiving the Commemorative Medal for Peacekeeping Operations from the Commander of Task Force Uruzgan, Brigadier-General (BG) Kees van den Heuvel.
Six Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen have been awarded the Commemorative Medal for Peacekeeping Operations by the Netherlands Minister of Defence for their contributions towards the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. They are the SAF Contingent Commander in Uruzgan Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Alvin Chan, former SAF Contingent Commander in Uruzgan LTC Dinesh Vasu Dash who served in Uruzgan from Nov 2009 to Jul 2010, and four members of an SAF surgical team- team leader Major (MAJ) (DR) Muhammad Idu, MAJ (DR) Mathew Cheng, MAJ (NS) (DR) Philip Iau and CPT (NS) (DR) Tan Wah Tze - all of whom served in a field hospital in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan, from Apr to May this year. LTC Chan received the medals from the Commander of Task Force Uruzgan, Brigadier-General (BG) Kees van den Heuvel, on behalf of the five other servicemen in a medal presentation ceremony held in Afghanistan on 31 July 2010.
Above MAJ (NS) (DR) Mathew Cheng and a member of the Dutch surgical team attending to a young patient in the field hospital in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan.
Above, personnel from the SAF's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Task Group preparing the UAV for a mission in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. I note that Uruzgan seems to be occasionally spelled as Oruzgan, in various media releases.
________________
“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; February 21st, 2011 at 09:56 AM.
Click on the above link to see the story by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Peter Ferrell, Task Wolverine Public Affairs, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
- Thursday, 04 November 2010 11:59
The Singapore national anthem is played while their flag is lowered for the last time at Kiwi Base here Oct. 27, signifying the end of the Singapore Army’s mission. The Singapore troops have been part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team for three years doing six-month rotations. The unit’s final contribution has been the oversight of the construction of a health clinic in Bamian, the capital of Bamyan province.
Singapore Army Commander Royston Lim gives a farewell speech to U.S. Army, New Zealand, Malaysian and Singaporean soldiers at Kiwi Base here Oct. 27. The Singaporean units have been at Kiwi Base for three years with six-month rotations of troops. The final achievement for the unit is the completion of a health clinic in Bamian, the capital of Bamyan Province.
U.S. Army Col. Michael Berry, the Bamyan Embedded Training Team commander, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and a Georgetown, Del., resident; and Singapore Army Commander Royston Lim, the Singapore Army attachment commander with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team here, exchange gifts at the conclusion of a farewell ceremony for the Singapore unit here Oct. 27. The two have worked together for past six months on development projects in Bamyan Province. The final contribution made by the Singapore Army unit was the construction of a health clinic in Bamian, which is the capital city of Bamyan Province.
All above pixs by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Peter Ferrell.
Oct 17, 2010 - The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) completed and handed over a clinic they had funded and constructed to the Afghanistan authorities on Saturday. The completion of the clinic in Bamiyan province in central Afghanistan also marks the end of SAF's deployment in the area, said a Ministry of Defence spokesman in a statement on Sunday.
Over the past four years, the SAF has made many inroads in the province - funding and supervising the construction of a paediatric and women's ward extension at the Bamiyan Provincial Hospital, setting up a dental clinic as well as constructing two bridges, among other projects. With the end of the deployment there, the SAF can focus on other ongoing deployment in Afghanistan, the spokesman added.
On Saturday, the Chief of Army, Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing, met the SAF trainers deployed in an artillery school in Kabul and received updates on their efforts to train the Afghan National Army. At the same time, Brigadier-General Hoo Cher Mou, the Republic of Singapore Air Force Chief of Staff, Air Staff, visited the SAF's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Task Group and the Weapon Locating Radar team which are deployed in Uruzgan province in the southern region of Afghanistan.
As the 6-man Singaporean Construction Engineering Team (CET) in Bamiyan province is withdrawn, Singapore has stepped up our contributions in Uruzgan province. I've previously posted info on the 52-man UAV Task Group and the 21-man Weapon Locating Radar team deployed in Uruzgan province. There's also 4-man SAF team in Kabul are institutional trainers to the ANA artillery school.
SAF to beef up Afghan presenceā€ˇ - YouTube
Above a completed project where the SAF engineering team in Bamiyan worked with the local Afghan contractors to build two bridges at the Monara and Chapdara villages. That SAF engineering team also helped surpervise the construction of a water supply system for a university dormitory and a culvert.
________________
“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; October 5th, 2011 at 03:15 PM.
Videos from Operation Blue Ridge (the SAF in Afghanistan)
Ops Diaries - SAF in Afghanistan is a six-part series on the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) contributions to the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. Told through the eyes of video-journalist Mano from MINDEF Public Affairs, this series looks at the challenging conditions in which the teams operate and the difference they make to the lives of the people there.
Personnel from the SAF's UAV Task Group preparing the UAV for take off at Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan.
Episode 3: Eagle Eye (The internal UAV pilot and his team of two keep a close watch on the ground providing a surveillance blanket of real-time intelligence to coalition forces. COMD CTU highlights the "world-class" analysis the UAV team provides the war fighters in the front lines.) YouTube - Eagle Eye (Ops Diaries - SAF in Afghanistan Episode 3)
Quote:
RSAF's Searcher II was seen on overwatch, in the background, during the Australian PM, Julia Gillard's surprise visit to Afghanistan in early October 2010.
Source: The Australian
Picture: Gary Ramage
Above, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, left, Julia Gillard and head of the Combined Team Oruzgan, US Colonal Jim Creighton.
[h/t to LaoTiKo]
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“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; February 2nd, 2011 at 02:51 AM.
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