Singapore Army Pictures

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SAF combat engineers assist NZ residents

Above, SAF combat engineers working with NZDF to help remove an unstable balcony from a house on Mount Pleasant.

Above, NZDF Chief of Defence Force LG Richard Rhys Jones meeting with SAF servicemen.

SAF and NZDF personnel working together to enforce the cordon.

CPL Muhammad Hasif being welcomed home by his family members.

Colonel Melvyn Ong, commander of the Singapore contingent, speaking to New Zealand High Commissioner Peter Hamilton at Changi airport as the Singapore contingent comes back from quake relief operations in Christchurch.

Dr Mapp (centre) explaining the significance of the patu, which was presented as a token of appreciation for the Singapore Contingent's assistance in Christchurch, to LG Neo (right). With them is Assistant Commissioner Yap, SCDF.

 

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8 Jul 2011 -- Below Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen interacting with our servicemen after the Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony on 30 June 2011. From the left: Dr Ng, 1WO Azmi (from the Singapore National Support Element), ME3 Susai Pillai, and LTC Lek Seng Khoon

Since 2007, 320 of SAF servicemen have proudly served in Afghanistan. LTC Lek Seng Khoon led the 10-member Military Institutional Trainers (MIT) team which was deployed for about six months from December last year. They were the second batch of MITs to be deployed and played a key role in strengthening the Afghan National Army's artillery capabilities.

Below, LTC Lek (middle) with the rest of the MIT team

“The value of our contribution that I always emphasise is helping the Afghans bring lasting peace to their country. We worked with them to develop a system that works for them, a system that will endure and that they can sustain without the coalition forces,” said LTC Lek.

Below, group photo of the MIT teams, Afghanistan National Army instructors and the Australian Defence Forces

ME3 Susai Pillai explained, “We had to understand every aspect of the people, their culture, language and religious beliefs so as to build a good relationship with them and get our points across.”

 

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The 7th Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC VII) and the 35th Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS XXXV), was held from 28 Jul - 1 Aug 2011 and attended by delegates from twenty-six countries, with the theme "Building Land Forces' Capacity through Multilateral Security Cooperation".

PAMS XXXV Opening Ceremony

Opening Greater Possibilities for HADR Cooperation

Fruits of the Five-day Seminar

On the second topic of 'what capabilities or capacity do Asia-Pacific land forces most need to address these challenges through multilateral security cooperation', the speakers recapped on the existing capabilities that the armies possess, before calling attention to the new capabilities that Asia-Pacific armies can acquire. These include establishing collective international assessment teams for rapid deployment, and an information sharing portal for better information exchanges. The speakers also noted the need to consider legal and political issues during multilateral cooperation.

The delegates then discussed the third topic on 'the land force contributions (command and control, logistics, etc) that are needed for multilateral security cooperation to address pandemics and natural disasters'. After elaborating on the military's role in command and control, the speakers suggested new initiatives, such as creating an entity to coordinate and standardise operating procedures as well as the establishment of a regional information database, to expand the capacity for information sharing amongst Asia-Pacific armies.

NDP Preview Show

Youtube video of Backstage at the Show

The biggest party of the year promises to celebrate all things Singaporean as the country marks 46 years of nationhood. The Marina Bay area is abuzz with activity as Singaporeans come together to celebrate the nation's birthday at National Day Parade (NDP) 2011, which promises to be a multi-sensory extravaganza. This year's parade will be presented as a five-act integrated musical. As the Singapore story unfolds, spectators will be transported through song and time as they witness the life of a Singaporean family from independence to present day (see link for more details).

Youtube video of the Red Lions Parachuting Team!

To drum up the festive mood, the Red Lions - officially known as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Parachute Team - will kick-start NDP 2011. There will also be a dynamic defence display segment featuring land, air and sea assets from the SAF, Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). More than 20 assets from the SAF and the Home Team will be featured such as traditional favourites such as the Apache helicopter, the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle, the Trailblazer Counter-Mine Vehicle, the Leopard tank as well as the SCDF's HazMat Mitigation Vehicle and the Police Coast Guard's Interceptor Craft. In addition, four types of new hardware will be showcased for the very first time. The Army's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) will be showcased along with the RSN's Sikorsky S-70B Naval Helicopter and the Protector Unmanned Surface Vessel, as well as the SCDF's Multi-Utility Vehicle.

Youtube video of a Helicopter Ride with the Naval Divers

Over the waters, the Protector Unmanned Surface Vessel will prowl the Marina Bay in search of the waterborne perpetrators. A Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopter will soar across the Singapore skyline before lowering its dipping sonar into the waters of the marina to detect the exact location of sub-surface intruders and pictured above are naval divers entering the waters of Marina Bay from a Chinook. For 3rd Sergeant Jegathesan Thannabal, one of the six Naval Divers who will jump off a Chinook helicopter at NDP 2011, the challenge is similar as he is required to jump into the bay in full combat gear.

Youtube video of Building a Bridge for the 25 pounders

The national 21 gun salute is an official mark of respect on the occassion of Singapore's National Day and the ceremonial guns are fired from a floating platform comprising of M3Gs operated by the Singapore Combat Engineers.

Youtube video of the Fireworks Teaser

Delegates at Singapore's National Day Preview Show

 

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Maj. Gen. James L. Terry, Division Commander of the 10th Mountain Division and Combined Joint Task Force – 10, responsible for the command and control of coalition military forces in RC-South which encompasses five of Afghanistan’s southern provinces, writes a Commendation Letter to Singapore's Chief of Army for Major Clarence Cai and Major Goh Pei Ming.

"Major Cai excelled in his role as the Executive Officer and his performance during a period of increased threat and high operational tempo has been exemplary. His maturity and meticulous nature enabled him to assume the responsibilities of the Deputy CJ3 when the latter was redeployed prematurely. These responsibilities included the coordination and synchronization of aviation, engineer and manoeuvre operations across the Regional Command. His potential is boundless and I could not ask for more from this exceptional officer. Major Goh's performance and talents were of such quality, he was selected to be the lead planner for all operations in Regional Command South, directing the actions of seven combat brigades consisting of over thirty-thousand Soldiers. This feat is something only our best trained officers, through a special School of Advanced Military Studies, are capable of achieving.

The pace of operations for thirty-thousand strong command is relentless, yet Clarence and Pei Ming continue to produce quality products and results that bring a sense of order to it all. Their work ethic is to be emulated and I simply cannot envision anyone else in these important leadership positions. As their Commanding General, I can tell you that they are highly intelligent, energetic, and dedicated officers. I am continually impressed with how they innovatively meet challenges and thrive under pressure."​

Maj. Gen. James L. Terry​

Above, Major Cai, Executive officer and Deputy CJ3 (left) and Major Goh, lead planner for all operations (right) in Regional Command South.

 

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Exercise Lightning Strike 2011 on Facebook

Soldiers with the United States and Singapore armies gather for a photo July 27 at Murai Urban Training Facility in Singapore to commemorate their involvement in Exercise Lightning Strike, a bilateral combat training exercise. Throughout the exercise, Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus” and 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment worked together and exchanged knowledge on urban operations and weapons systems.

Singapore's Terrex (Singapore placed an initial order 135 of these and I expect more orders to follow) and MPTVs are using the same remote weapon system and they are from the EOS, a publicly-traded company on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Dual Weapon Station in the above pix is the EOS R-600 and this remote weapon system can be cued by an acoustic gunfire/weapon detection system. Here's a video of 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR), the men and their machines.

Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment receive a brief from 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment's intelligence officer July 18 at Camp Amoy Quee, Singapore.

Spc. Alan Pacini and Spc. Zachary Bavender use assets inside the Infantry Gunnery and Tactics Simulator Center July 20 at Camp Pasir Laba, Singapore.

Pfc. Jordan Bautch, Spc. Samuel Miller, Spc. Luke Chester, Spc. Michael McCane, Pfc. Nicholas Shumpert and Sgt. Joshua Pyles pose for a photo with their Singapore counterparts and Maj. Gen. William Beard, the deputy commanding general of mobilization and reserve affairs and Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Leota, the command sergeant major, both of U.S. Army Pacific Command, July 27 at Murai Urban Training Facility here. The 2nd Platoon, Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment Soldiers received coins from Beard for their achievements in the unit.

 

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Exercise Lightning Strike brings together US, Singapore armies

SINGAPORE, Aug. 3, 2011 -- Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus”, participated in a company field training exercise with Company B, 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment, July 25- 27, 2011.

Exercise Lightning Strike comes just after the 7th Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (PACC VII) and 35th Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS XXXV), which was held from 28 Jul - 1 Aug 2011 in Singapore and was jointly hosted by the US Army and the Singapore Army. As Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, said at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, on June 04, 2011:-

"In Singapore, we are strengthening our bi-lateral defense relationship within the context of the Strategic Framework Agreement and pursuing more operational engagement – most notably, by deploying U.S. Littoral Combat Ships to Singapore. We are examining other ways to increase opportunities for our two militaries to train and operate together, to include:

- Prepositioning supplies to improve disaster response;
- Improving command and control capabilities; and
- Expanding training opportunities to help prepare our forces for the challenges both militaries face operating in the Pacific.

Although we will continue to maintain and enhance our traditional presence in the Asia-Pacific region through efforts such as these, we believe that U.S. presence, and the associated impact and influences should not solely be measured in terms of conventional metrics, or “boots on the ground.” In the coming years, the U.S. military is going to be increasing its port calls, naval engagements, and multilateral training efforts with multiple countries throughout the region. These types of activities not only broaden and deepen our relationships with friends and allies, they help build partner capacity to address regional challenges."​

Pfc. Fernando Pierre, a Soldier with 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus”, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division handles a Singapore Assault Rifle 21 during a static display of Company B, 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment soldiers’ assets July 20 in the Camp Pasir Laba auditorium here.

Soldiers with 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus”, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division examine a Terrex that belongs to the Singapore army during a static display of Company B, 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment soldiers’ assets, July 20, in Pasir Laba Camp, Singapore. Soldiers will work with 2nd SIR during Exercise Lightning Strike, a bilateral training exercise.

Spc. Kelly Doolittle, a rifleman with 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus”, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division gets guidance from a Singaporean soldier on firing the Singapore Assault Rifle 21 during a range, July 21, here. Doolittle and his platoon participated in the small-arms familiarization live fire with Company B, 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment during Exercise Lightning Strike, a bilateral training exercise.

Photo Credit: Spc. Kimberly Hackbarth

 

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Here's a video which deals with the March 1991, SQ117 Hijack and the role of the Special Operations Force (SOF) (includes narration by a member of the counter-terrorist team), which is being shown at the Army Museum of Singapore.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCM8ORjF4Zc"]Integrated - SQ117 Museum Installation - YouTube[/nomedia]

On 26 March 1991, Singapore Airlines flight SQ117 took off from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with 129 passengers and crew on board. En route to Singapore, four terrorists took control of the plane. A crisis team was immediately activated. The plane landed at Singapore's Changi Airport. At 5am the next day, the hijackers issued a five-minute deadline for negotiators to comply with their demands before they started harming hostages. They also threatened to harm one hostage every 10 minutes if their demands were not met. At three minutes to the deadline, the SAF Counter Terrorist Team from the Commandos was ordered to storm the aircraft and rescue the hostages. Within minutes, the threat was neutralised, and all hostages were led off the aircraft unharmed.

Pictures below, taken from the Straits Times.

This is not the only time, the SOF were deployed.

On 9 July 1997, the SOF and six flights of C-130 aircraft flew about 450 Singaporeans and foreigners out of the Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The SOF played a crucial role in the successful non combatant evacuation operation but behind the scene, there is another success story which few people know about. In a 1997 speech by Mr Matthias Yao Chih, he explained how the evacuation was conducted:-

"But what I am particularly proud of is the way our NSmen can use their training and knowledge to organise themselves in a difficult situation. During the tense situation in Cambodia in early-May 97 when hostilities broke out between forces loyal to the two rival PMs, the SAF mounted Operation Crimson Angel to evacuate over 400 Singaporeans from Cambodia.

The operation was a success. The evacuation was carried out smoothly, effectively and professionally. But behind the scene, there is another success story which few people know about. Many of the male Singaporeans who were in Cambodia at that time are NSmen. They are all familiar with SAF's system of mobilisation, planning for a mission, controlling its execution and how to anticipate and react quickly to instructions. Together with the embassy staff, they organised themselves and set up a "Warden" system similar to the SAF's mobilisation system. They worked with our embassy in Phnom Penh to maintain a register of all the Singaporeans in Cambodia, where they lived and how to contact them in a hurry should there be an evacuation. They grouped the Singaporeans according to their residences. Each group was headed by a Warden Officer, and assisted by a 2IC.

They established meeting points for each group, and worked out the best and safest routes to take to the airport. Upon actual activation by the embassy, the Warden Officer contacted those in his group by telephone or directly. Each group then moved to designated meeting points where they were transported by bus or car to the Main Command Centre at Cambodiana Hotel where our embassy staff took over. At the Command Centre, they were further organised into packets and transported by bus to the Airport for the evacuation by the inbound C130. Not only did our NSmen plan the first part of the evacuation in great detail among themselves and carried it out with clockwork precision, the way they and their families acted during the crisis and the evacuation was also inspiring.

During the evacuation at the airport, there was no panic or rush amongst the Singaporeans. They were orderly and organised throughout the entire procedure. They understood the need to stick to the plan, and subjected themselves to instructions and security checks with full co-operation. They knew that discipline was important in such a situation, they had faith in their own plan and in the SAF's evacuation procedure, and they were well trained to handle any crisis calmly and confidently. The men were brought together by chance. They were not from the same SAF unit. Most of them did not even know each other before. But because of the common, vigorous training they received in the SAF, they could quickly respond together cohesively as one organised group. This is the best evidence that our NSmen are operationally ready, and can exercise good initiative in any crisis."​

Below are pictures from the Defence Minister's recent visit to the Special Operations Task Force.

Above, Dr Ng interacting with members of the SOTF.

Above, Dr Ng got the opportunity to handle some of the SOTF's equipment.

 

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International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF) artillery trainers with the Afghan National Army (ANA)

Singaporeans at the range

Singaporean military institutional trainer (artillery) in the classroom with an ANA trainee

Live firing area

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38qhli-6NrI"]The Singapore Army Army Annual Review - YouTube[/nomedia]


Rotations of the National Command Elements, military institutional trainers (in Kabul) and imagery analysts (in RC South, Kandahar), Afghanistan will continue, and as will sending medical teams to Oruzgan.

 

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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

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWxM4uXzvcc"]MINDEF News Minister for Defence Visits SAF Troops in Afghanistan 26 Oct 11 - YouTube[/nomedia]​

(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).

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNhXuVR5l8k&feature=fvwrel"]Afghanistan: Afghan National Army Artillery School (HiDef!) - YouTube[/nomedia]​

 

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Defence Technology Prize 2011

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..."

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen
28 October 2011​

ME3 Hideki Tey (left) and ME2 Ryan Goh presenting their project to Dr Ng (see Army News, in Oct 2011)

Members of the WLR engineering team explaining some of the engineering solutions they developed to Dr Ng and Mr Quek.

 

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h/t to CJ for the map:

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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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.

[TVC] Beyond Our Shores - SAF in Overseas Operations - YouTube

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."

Dr Ng Eng Hen
Minister for Defence
6 Mar 2012​

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."​

Dr Ng Eng Hen
Minister for Defence ​

 

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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

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2pib5uoei8&feature=g-all&context=G268d96eFAAAAAAAABAA"][TVC] SAF - A Force in Transformation - YouTube[/nomedia]


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."

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3uxPrrRZAA"]Exercise Forging Sabre 2011 - YouTube[/nomedia]


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.

Video and graphics supporting the [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGCANUutJl8"]MINDEF News Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Committee of Supply Debate 2012 06 Mar 12 - YouTube[/nomedia]


"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."

Dr Ng Eng Hen
Minister for Defence
6 Mar 2012​

 

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Photo by ISAF Public Affairs Office, MT

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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Exercise Kocha Singa 2012 (14th in the series)

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).

 

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Here's a few links to some pictures and videos of the Army Open House (AOH):-

(i) [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldXEpm48gxE&feature=related"]AOH2012 - YouTube[/nomedia]

Below, troops exiting the Terrex to commence their assault for the dynamic defence display

Below, the Skyblade IV on static display

(ii) Bloggers Preview with Techie Lobang (with pixs and videos);

Below, a CBRE EOD operator with a Northrop Grumman Remotec Wheelbarrow UGV and wearing an Allen Vanguard EOD/IEDD Bomb Suit

Below, Singapore Commando formation's boat platoon members armed with the FN P90.

(iii) xtemujin' blog post with some beautiful pixs and a video of the dynamic defence display (show); and

Below, the Leopard L2SG at the front gate

Below, the Accuracy International AX50 long range anti matérial rifle on display for the first time at an AOH.

Singapore Army Open House 2012 - First impressions

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.

(iv) Official AOH website and Photostream.

Below, divers conducting a helocast from a Chinook during the dynamic defence demonstration

Below, visitors crowding the Army Avenue to catch glimpses and taking photographs of the many Army assets at the AOH

 

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Exercise Wallaby 2012

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.

TERREX Marine Personnel Carrier (SAIC) - YouTube

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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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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Exercise Wallaby 2012 - Rockhampton & Shoalwater Bay

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers participating in Exercise Wallaby 2012 on 10 October at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Rockhampton, Australia.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIMK82hzcGM"]Visit to Ex Wallaby 2012 - YouTube[/nomedia]

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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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

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.