US Chief Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. visits Singapore

[OPSSG]

On the other hand here in Germany a Boar is not your friend!
When I once encountered such a beast in the night I nearly shit my pants and had to climb a near.
I never climbed that fast... :shudder

I've put in the wild boar pix as we did encounter a family of wild boars when we were deployed during a platoon ambush exercise in the late 1980s. In the dark of nite (about 1-3 am), the tallest guy (he's a six footer) in the platoon ran out (screaming) from where he was into the ambush kill zone (we had our trip flares all deployed but they were not tripped). We were wondering what the heck was going on. We regrouped and found that a family of wild boars had stumbled upon our platoon and one even sniffed his privates (as he was in a prone firing position). At that point, he had to make a run for it (into the kill zone), instead of staying in place.

Did you encountered any other wild animals during your military time?

Yes, except for the wild boars (who are pretty fearless), all other animals we encountered were much more afraid of us than we were of them. We tend to encounter wild boars in Pulau Tekong very often (click here for google map). At one time, there were even elephants who swam there from Malaysia. The three wild elephants had apparently swum 1.5 km across the Johor Straits to reach Pulau Tekong.

BTW, I did my basic training at Pulau Tekong in Charlie Coy, at Camp 1 (click here for ghost stories).

Pix of a 2 man trench (foxhole) taken by tiusok in the 1980s. If it rains, you end up in a puddle of mud. And in the tropics, lots of rain fall is very common.

Contrary to our middle european forests there are many animals in the jungles of SEA which I wouldn't want to encounter during training.

It is the parasites and poisonous insects in the jungles of SEA that I'm afraid of. Thanks to military training, I developed a strong dislike for mosquitoes, leaches, ticks, sand flies and other nasty creatures in the jungle. Beyond wild animals and insects, preventing fungal infections on our body is a major concern for troops operating in warm, damp or wet environments. These concerns would include:

(i) 'Jock itch' is a fungal infection of the groin, inner thigh, buttocks or genitals. I've gotten this before during leadership training. If you see one of Joel's pixs, one of the three guys (one the right) had just taken a powder 'bath' to prevent fungal growth.

(ii) 'Foot Rot', is a fungal infection of the foot from a fungi called dermatophytes. The infecting fungus often interacts with bacteria causing a more severe infection that extends onto the whole of the foot and even under the nails. I remember that one of my colleague's foot attracted files, when he removed one boot to powder his foot. At that point, it had been raining for last 4 days during an overseas exercise.

(iii) Malaria, dengue hemorrhagic fever and other insect borne diseases. A good friend of mine came down with Malaria during ranger training despite taking anti-Malaria pills.​

I've also been stung by a bee and shot a spider (huge ass spider that was about 2 to 2 1/2 inches or 5 to 6.2 cm, when you include the legs) with a blank round. The spider web was so big, it spanned two close growing trees. I was attempting to flank to the 'enemy' that I was in contact with during an exercise and had managed to run right into this huge spiderweb.

BTW, the Singapore Army conducts a jungle confidence qualification course in Brunei.

See Jan Shim's rare images of the Temburong rainforest (in Brunei Darussalam) below:

I expect that especially poisonous animals may be a problem. Do you carry any drugs with you which counter possible poisons?

I'm not really sure. Each battalion has their own medical officers and I'm not sure what they stock. The following pixs are not directly related to our discussion but they are of our medical guys.

Pix of the Singaporean medical team at arms practice.

MAJ (Dr) Tan (right) and SSG Yeo (left) conducting a medical training session with local Afghan doctors and nurses in Bamiyan.

2WO Timothy Rajah (right) and his Dutch counterpart stabilising a Dutch soldier injured from a rocket which landed in the base.

1SG Alfatah Abdul Karim treating an ulcer on the ankle of a local Afghan boy.

The two pixs below are of a Singaporean medical contingent that is operating together with an Australian medical unit on the Australian MoD’s website. There is also a blog discussing the SAF's pixilated desert camouflage.

Pix credit, Australian Corporal (CPL) Ricky Fuller.

 

[Waylander]

Thanks for your reply.

I even found that doing a tourist jungle tour was exhausting.
Doing military training in such an environment has to be like hell to somebody not accustomed to the tropics.

I for one am glad about the rather mild temperatures of middle-europe.
(Ok, maybe you would hate winter too... )

 

[Bonza]

Nice photos OPSSG, those new Eagles really are beautiful... they bring a hell of a capability to the table too, if what I've been reading is correct. Do you know if procurement is going to be limited to 24?

Be great to see the Pirates down at Avalon air show one year, they could have a flyoff with the RAAF's new Super Hornets... ahh, a man can dream

 

[OPSSG]

Thanks for your reply.

You are most welcome.

I even found that doing a tourist jungle tour was exhausting.
Doing military training in such an environment has to be like hell to somebody not accustomed to the tropics.

As I see it, beyond physical fitness, there are two other subsidiary issues:

(i) one, tropical acclimatisation, which even we who live in the tropics have to do (given that our offices are air conditioned); and

(ii) two, body size (the bulkier/bigger you are the harder it is for you to move through the jungle), which is a function of skin surface area (important for sweating to keep from heat stroke) versus volume.

BTW, I was about 25 kg lighter when I was in active service (it was a conscious choice not to bulk up). I only did some body building to bulk up in later years, when I started working in an MNC.

In basic military training, I had a recce trained platoon SGT who was also ranger qualified. It was great learning from him how to move in the jungle. He has a particular way of walking that is very silent, when moving through jungle vegetation. While we, as conscripts, could never meet his high standards, we gained much from his instruction and example. The ranger cadre are superior in individual soldiering skills and are very much a resource to learn from.

In the above pix, on the right side, is the SAF's new No. 4 uniform. The new No. 4 uniform uses a new lighter fabric which is highly permeable and has a high wicking capability. This fabric provides better air flow, which in turn allows faster heat dissapation, and it dries twice as fast as the old uniform when wet. Very important considerations for operating in our environment. There's a blog that discusses the new No. 4 in more detail, here.

I for one am glad about the rather mild temperatures of middle-europe.
(Ok, maybe you would hate winter too... )

I love to visit countries with four seasons but I would not want to be out and about for military training in winter. I honestly do not know how you guys can do military training in winter.

 

[OPSSG]

Nice photos OPSSG, those new Eagles really are beautiful... they bring a hell of a capability to the table too, if what I've been reading is correct. Do you know if procurement is going to be limited to 24?

It is estimated that all 24 F-15SGs on order will be delivered by 2012. BTW I have no news of more purchases but I note that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has a habit of 'creeping purchases' (i.e. buy more over time). Here's a few of the RSAF videos released on it's 40th Anniversary, if you are interested in more info:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhZN307evOs]RSAF 40th Anniversary Video[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaFe2CaNBXM]RSAF 40th Anniversary Video - 1st Generation[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipni_ExxiuM]RSAF 40th Anniversary Video - 2nd Generation[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0lyR2mAAzY]RSAF 40th Anniversary Video - 3rd Generation[/ame]

Be great to see the Pirates down at Avalon air show one year, they could have a flyoff with the RAAF's new Super Hornets... ahh, a man can dream

Not sure about Avalon but the RSAF goes to the Australian conducted Ex Pitch Black which is held biennially. Lacking in air space for training, Ex Pitch Black is a major overseas training event on the RSAF's calendar. Participating in training exercises like Ex Pitch Black enables the RSAF to build interoperability with other the air forces taking part.

I'm sure that the F-15SGs or the G550 CAEWs will appear in Australia sometime in the future (most likely from 2012 onwards).

Ex Pitch Black 2008 was an Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) exercise that provided valuable learning experience for Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), RSAF and United States Navy (USN) personnel in a genuine multinational environment.

RAAF's, Flying Officer Martin Alderette, German NATO's, Captain Peter Verlande, RSAF's Major Yeow Wei Pang, RMAF's Major Mohdnasir Mohddin, RTAF's, Wing Commander Visut and RSAF's Lieutenant Chris Quek, enjoy the beautiful sunset at Darwin's Mindil Beach Markets.

 

[OPSSG]

EX PITCH BLACK 2008

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJG4Yv1kfxM]Exercise Pitch Black 2008[/ame]

Captain Dennis Chew from the Republic of Singapore Air Force Aircraft Operations Maintenance Squadron, smiles cheerfully in front of a F-16 as members of Airservices Australia, Aviation Rescue & Fire Fighting service based in Darwin discuss the Hydrazine procedures with ground crew from the RSAF leading up to Ex Pitch Black 2008.

An aircraft maintainer from the RSAF gives directions from a tow motor in front of an F-16 during the lead up to Ex Pitch Black 2008.

Singapore's block 52+ F-16Ds lined up on the hard stand at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the BLUE FORCE.

A RSAF KC-135 takes off on a refueling mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2008.

E2C (Hawkeye) x 1 [Note: Above E-2C pix was taken in Singapore]

 

[OPSSG]

EX PITCH BLACK 2008 (RED FORCE)

The RSAF's F-5S was upgraded to include FIAR Grifo-F radar from Galileo Avionica, updated cockpits with multi-function displays and compatibility with BVR missiles. In Ex Pitch Black 2008, the F-5Ss were part of the RED FORCE in Tindal and was tasked to defend the air base from BLUE FORCE attack. A RSAF F-5S is meticulously inspected by the pilot Lieutenant Liew Boon Ping, prior to a DCA mission.

Members of the RSAF acting as RED FORCE conduct a pre-flight brief following an order to 'scramble' during Ex Pitch Black 2008.

RSAF Pilot, Major Liew Boon Ping - call sign 'Comic,' is assisted by ground crew members as he disembarks his aircraft after completing a DCA mission during Ex Pitch Black 2008.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yhMrAZimqQ]16AD & RSAF[/ame]
16AD & RSAF radars providing the defending RED FORCE with SAM coverage over in Tindal.

2nd Lieutenant (2nd LT), Yong Hui Fu from the RSAF, is part of Fire Control Equipment Section. 2nd LT Fu relays information back to the command post, during Ex Pitch Black 2008.

Corporal Teck Chuan, a Tracker Operator of Fire Control Equipment Section, is ready to engage enemy targets during Ex Pitch Black 2008.

Major Bede Galvin, Officer-in-Charge, 16 Air Defence Detachment, keeps a look out as Gunners, Alexander Buckley and Leighton Kavanagh, prepare to defend the skies from enemy attacks and protect RAAF Base Tindal, with the RBS70 laser guided weapons system, during Ex Pitch Black 2008.

 

[OPSSG]

As I previously mentioned in this thread, with most Singapore weapons, they are designed with the smaller Asian body frame in mind.

Other Singapore weapons - sold abroad.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQdsUlr1674]CGI of the 120mm SRAMs[/ame]

See also post #14 of this thread for more Bronco mounted SRAMS pixs.

ST Kinetics' 120mm SRAMS has been sold to UAE as part of AGRAB (Scorpion).

The 3 man operated AGRAB is a 120mm SRAMS mounted on a BAE Systems RG-31 (10-ton 4x4 armoured and mine-protected vehicle) and it carries 46 mortar rounds in two carousels and has 2 further racks for another 12 rounds.

UAE bought 48 AGRABs and associated ammo from a local manufacturer, International Golden Group in a deal worth 390 million dirham (US$106 million).

 

[OPSSG]

The two pixs below are of a Singaporean medical contingent that is operating together with an Australian medical unit on the Australian MoD’s website. There is also a blog discussing the SAF's pixilated desert camouflage.

Pix credit, Australian Corporal (CPL) Ricky Fuller.

The SAF has made small deployments to Afghanistan since 2007 as part of Singapore's contributions to multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts there. On 9 November 2009, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean visited SAF troops deployed in Afghanistan last week to get a first-hand feel of their operations in Oruzgan and Bamiyan province. This included a visit to the 17-man SAF Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) team at their operating base in Tarin Kowt, the provincial capital of Oruzgan. There are no pictures released of the visit, yet, therefore I enclose pictures from the modeling website One35th.com:

[h/t to diCam and the other SG milnuts for the info]

The SAF first displayed the Swedish developed ARTHUR system at the 2004 Army Open House.

The Defence Science and Technology Agency had enhanced the radar’s capabilities and integrated a cooling system into the crew’s compartment. Each ARTHUR system is operated by 11 men and takes only five minutes to deploy.

BTW, the decision to deploy the WLR team was previously posted here (see post #132).

 

[OPSSG]

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean Visits Singapore troops in Afghanistan

Personnel of the 24th Artillery Battalion of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) arrived in southern Afghanistan on 18 September 2009 with two Bv 206-mounted ARTHURs to guard a large forward operating base (FOB) of US and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops against rocket attacks. On 20 September the Saab (formerly Ericsson) system was declared operational and is expected to continue its activities until the end of June 2010.

Major Koh Han Seah Vincent, the commanding SAF officer of the ARTHUR detachment, told Jane's that since the arrival of the team no incoming rockets had been detected. If an incoming rocket is detected, the ARTHUR operator can instantly activate the central base warning sirens, giving personnel some seven to nine seconds to take cover, depending on the distance from which the rocket was fired. While two ARTHUR systems are deployed, only one is active at any given moment while the other can undergo maintenance. ARTHUR has a 90-degree field of vision and a detection range from 2.7-30 km.

The Dutch G2 (intelligence officer) of Task Force Uruzgan and specialists of the Netherlands Army 103 intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (ISTAR) battalion decide which area to guard. The weapon-locating radar is not linked to the Dutch PzH 2000 155 mm howitzer at the base, since while ARTHUR can almost instantaneously calculate the point of origin, counter-fire is deemed to be too risky as the rockets are usually fired from points near populated areas. Many rockets are also fired using a time-delayed fuse.

Until the arrival of the Singaporean team, the base had no detection systems to warn against incoming rockets. From December 2008 to April 2009, numerous 107 mm rockets were fired at FOB Ripley/Camp Holland, the majority of which missed their intended target, but on 6 April a 20-year old Dutch soldier died and several were wounded when a rocket hit the centre of Camp Holland.

[h/t to YF, bdique and CJ for the info]

DPM Teo Chee Hean visited SAF troops deployed in Afghanistan to get a first-hand feel of their operations in Oruzgan and Bamiyan province. He was accompanied by Chief of Army Major-General Neo Kian Hong and other senior SAF officers.

Speaking to the 17-man WLR team, Mr Teo emphasised the important role that they were playing in Afghanistan and Singapore's overall contributions to international security operations. Mr Teo said:

"I can see the tough and challenging conditions you operate under many miles from home. The SAF's deployments to Oruzgan and Bamiyan are important for the people of Afghanistan and are a part of Singapore's overall contribution to international security operations. I have full confidence that you will continue to do Singapore and the SAF proud in carrying out your duties vigilantly and professionally."​

Mr Teo greets (from left) MAJ Jackson Wu, MAJ Collins Pang and LTC Percival Goh during his meeting with SAF troops deployed in Afghanistan.

Behind them is one of the two Arthur WLRs deployed in Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan Province, to detect, track and pinpoint the source of incoming rocket and tube artillery projectiles, as well as mortar bombs.

Mr Teo meeting members of the WLR team deployed in Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan.

Mr Teo being briefed by MAJ Vincent Koh inside the sentry post manned by members of the WLR team.

 

[OPSSG]

PITCH BLACK 2008 PARTICIPANTS AND AIRCRAFT TYPES

A 3 Squadron F/A-18 Hornet sets the background.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Mark Binskin, talking to the media in front of other senior multi-national Air Force participants at a 'door-stop' interview to mark the start of Ex Pitch Black 2008.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE

F/A18 x 24

F-111 x 6

BOEING 707 (Refueller) x 1

AP-3C (Orion) x 1

DHC-4 (Caribou) x 1

ROYAL MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE
A Malaysian F-18D at RAAF Base Darwin.

F/A18D (dual seaters) x 6.
KC-130M x 1

ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE
A Royal Thai Air Force F-16 arrives at RAAF Base Darwin.

F-16 x 10.

REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AIR FORCE

F-16D x 8
F-5 x 6
KC-135 x 1
E2C (Hawkeye) x 1

UNITED STATES
In this exercise the United States Navy's VFA-97 'Warhawks,' based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, deploy as part of Marine Air Group Twelve (MAG 12) in Iwakuni, Japan. The deployment to Ex Pitch Black is led by the Commanding Officer, Commander Russell McCormack, USN.

A F/A-18 Hornet from the USN's VFA-97 'Warhawks,' takes on fuel from the refuelling drogue of a RAAF Boeing 707.

F/A18 x 12.
KC-130J x 1

NATO

E3A x 1

FRANCE
French Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Philippe Broch and Royal Australian Air Force Air Commodore Neil Hart share stories together at the media 'door-stop' interview.

E3F x 1.

CANADA
No aircraft contribution

GERMANY
No aircraft contribution

UNITED KINGDOM
No aircraft contribution

 

[OPSSG]

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- 428th FS takes quarterly weapons load title

The first 6 pixs are U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Renishia Richardson

(1) Members from the 428th Fighter Squadron pose for a group photo after winning the Weapons Load Crew Competition Oct. 2. They won the competition by only one point. This is certainly good news and something to be proud of as Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean is due to arrive for the Peace Carvin V ceremony at Mountain Home around 19 - 20 Nov 2009. The Minister is currently at Fort Sill, observing Ex Forging Sabre 2009, an exercise at Fort Sill in the United States. All preparations and coordination will culminate in an integrated live-firing on 17 Nov 2009 - HIMARS is expected to feature for the first time. BTW, Singapore artillery is training on US-supplied HIMARS hardware for now, and will take delivery of the first of 18 Himars it purchased by the middle of 2010.).

(2) Left, Master Sgt. Kumar Sivaraja, Master Sgt. Gene Tan, and Staff Sgt. George, all 428th Fighter Squadron flightline crew, load the AIM-9LM sidewinder onto the F-16SG during the Weapons Load Crew Competition Oct. 2.

(3) Left, Staff Sgt. David Foster, Senior Airman Robert Pennok and Senior Airman Phillip Koehn, all 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew members, load the AIM-9LM sidewinder onto the F-15E Strike Eagle during the Weapons Load Crew Competition Oct. 2.

(4) Master Sgt. Gene Tan, 428th Fighter Squadron flightline crew, guides the AIM-9LM sidewinder onto the F-15SG aircraft during the Weapons Load Crew Competition Oct. 2.

(5) Left, Staff Sgt. David Foster, Senior Airman Robert Pennok and Senior Airman Phillip Koehn, all 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew members, load the AIM-9LM sidewinder onto the F-15E Strike Eagle during the Weapons Load Crew Competition Oct. 2.

(6) Staff Sgt. Bryan Gates, 390th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew chief, looks over a maintenance check list during the Weapons Load Crew Competition Oct. 2.

(7) Gunfighters and members of the Republic of Singapore air force donate blood Oct. 22 at the Community Center. The 366th Fighter Wing collected 121 units of blood, beating the previous record of blood donated in one day by eight units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Samantha Crane)

Air Force Ball celebrates US Air Force’s 62nd anniversary

(8) Maj. Gen. Blair E. Hansen, deputy director of the defense intelligence operational coordination center, who commanded the 366th Fighter Wing from January 2004 to June 2005, speaks during the Air Force Ball Sept. 19 at the Gunfighter's Club. The 366th FW celebrated the Air Force's 62nd anniversary with a theme of "Honoring Gunfighters: Past and Present" with the help of the Republic of Singapore Air Force and local community members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Debbie Lockhart)

BTW, in March 2009, the RSAF Weapons Load Crew (WL) of the 425th FS at Luke Air Force Base were also awarded the WLC of the Year Award during the Luke Air Force Base Maintenance Professional of the Year Ceremony. The RSAF Peace Calvin II detachment had been participating in this competition since 1994 and had won quarterly competitions, this is the first time they won the WLC of the year. The WLC members at Luke who won the award are: 1SG Ng Wee Sin, 1SG Malcom Zhang and 1SG Fabian Lim.

[h/t to 'who' for posting the pixs in another forum first]

 

[OPSSG]

Exercise Forging Sabre 2009

17 Nov 2009 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean visited an integrated strike exercise conducted by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, USA, this morning (Singapore time). More than 540 soldiers and airmen from the SAF are taking part in the exercise [which include RSAF servicemen from Peace Vanguard (AH-64D Apache helicopter detachment), Peace Carvin II (F-16C/D fighter detachment) and Peace Prairie (CH-47 Chinook helicopter detachment)], codenamed Exercise Forging Sabre 2009, from 1 to 24 November 2009.

This year's exercise sees the Singapore Armed Forces take on enemy armour, artillery and HQ elements. Using a networked web of sensors that includes Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), STrike ObserveRs Mission (STORM) teams, Ground Forward Air Controllers and Commando Lasing teams, integrated attacks are coordinated from the Division Strike Centre and the Air-Land Tactical Control Centre. The end result is timely and accurate fire by F-16s, Apaches, field artillery and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

The SAF High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) prototype (click to see fact sheet). BTW, the SAF will receive its first fully operationalised HIMARS in 2010. The HIMARS' 70-plus kilometre range allows the SAF to reach out and touch an aggressor with greatly improved accuracy, speed and lethality. However the fire power of HIMARS needs to be combined with our recce elements to enable us to locate and strike at concentrations of aggressor forces (this is where the remote sensors, the UAVs and the commandos have an important role to play). Which is why we need to conduct large scale exercises so that the different elements can learn to work together.

Below, a pix of 23rd SA, Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lek Seng Khoon planning the route to be taken. Battery Sergeant Major Second Warrant Officer (2WO) Chee Shean Yew, whose key role is to conduct on-the-ground surveillance for the HIMARS team, said that mastering the operating system was not difficult. 2WO Chee added that the training in June and August at Fort Sill and Dallas respectively, as well as a two-week exchange programme with the US National Guards, aided them greatly in their bid to master the system.

Likewise, the US soldiers training with the SAF on the HIMARS were impressed with the SAF servicemen's professionalism and skills. US Chief Staff Sergeant (SSG) Charles Mckinney said:

"We have worked with other foreign parties before but are especially impressed with the SAF soldiers. There was no hand holding involved when we were sharing our experiences about the HIMARS. It was evident that the SAF came prepared and was equipped with skills and knowledge beyond the basic level."​

Captain Mark Fitzgerald, the SAF's HIMARS trainer from the US Army on his impressions on his Singapore counterparts, generously said:

"They run a very organised fire direction centre and the way they update the maps and track the fire direction data is very organised and something I'm going to ensure that any battery I command will have the same organisation."​

When asked about Exercise Forging Sabre, Commanding General US Fires Centre of Excellence and Fort Sill Major General (MG) David Halverson kindly said:

"The SAF is very technologically advanced, especially in the area of virtual simulation. In the future, we too want to better harness the power of simulation so that we can use that to our advantage and cut down on the use of precious resources."​

For the US hosts, it was an affirmation of the success of America's outreach:

"That's exactly what we want," said MG Halverson. "To bring their capability, have the intellectual discussions, cross train, learn lessons, so we can all be much stronger in a coalition as we meet the challenges of the 21st century."​

[h/t to bdique for posting some of the pixs in another forum first]

 

[OPSSG]

Exercise Forging Sabre 2009

Exercise Director Brigadier-General (BG) Tan Chuan Jin said that exercises like Forging Sabre are important in building up the capabilities of the 3rd Generation SAF because they allow for the Army and Air Force to work together and hone their communication skills. BG Tan said:

"The SAF has been building up its capabilities constantly through various air-land integrated exercises such as Lightning Warrior 2008 and Wallaby 2008. Through these, the SAF will learn to manage different elements in a more dynamic nature. Such exercises are also important because they help in coordination, keeping in mind that ground and air personnel have different perspectives in any operation."​

Click here to see KAUZ News Video Footage from Exercise Forging Sabre.

A member of the six-men Commando Lasing Team embarking on a 30km surveillance mission, from the CH-47SD Chinook, on foot to suss out enemy targets.

Team Leader of the Commando Lasing Team, Captain Ng Kiang Chuan, discussing the possible whereabouts of enemy targets with a member of his team.

Members of the six-men Commando Lasing Team which acts as both a sensor and a shooter in the air-land integration operation.

A block 52 F-16D preparing to drop a 2000-pound laser-guided bomb on a target as part of the integrated live firing exercise at Exercise Forging Sabre.

A 2,000-pound laser-guided bomb released by a Singaporean F-16 fighter hones in on a moving target at Falcon Range Nov. 14, 2009. Two Singaporean F-16s took part in the bombing run, during the Forging Sabre combined exercise with U.S. servicemembers and contractors from throughout the Southwestern United States. Forging Sabre is the largest strike exercise by the Singaporean Armed Forces. (U.S. Army photo by Jeff Crawley)

Boom! Accurate delivery of a 2000-pound laser-guided bomb.

Billowing clouds of smoke rear up from the impact area near Thompson Hill as F-16 pilots deliver their munitions on target during the live fire portion of Exercise Forging Sabre at Fort Sill, Okla. Singaporean F-16s, AH-64 Apaches and HiMARS trained on Fort Sill ranges until Nov. 24, 2009 before heading back to their home stations.

A RSAF F-16 pilot releases flares over the target area simulating defensive countermeasures to a surface to air missile attack during the integrated live fire portion of Exercise Forging Sabre Nov. 17, 2009 at Fort Sill, Okla. Above pix by James Brabenec.

Getting ready to reload the Apache helicopters with live rounds in anticipation
for the integrated live firing exercise.

An Apache Longbow helicopter firing at an enemy target during the integrated live firing at Exercise Forging Sabre 2009.

A Singaporean AH-64 Apache helicopter fires rockets at the impact area on Falcon Range at Fort Sill, Okla., as part of Exercise Forging Sabre during a live fire exercise Nov. 17, 2009. Above pix by James Brabenec.

There's an interesting quote from David on his website which has the header, 'Senang Diri'* (keeping in mind that the APEC summit in Singapore was just concluded, which meant that the SAF was at a higher than normal state of readiness, in the event of any contingency):

...The remarkable thing about Forging Sabre is the fact that the exercise unfolded at the time it did. As SAF war games took place in the plains of the Central United States, Singaporean warfighters were conducting land warfare manoeuvres thousands of kilometres away in the summer heat in Queensland, Australia.

The SAF's ability to conduct two large-scale, live-firing exercises at the same time, in two continents - plus military training in Singapore, plus the ongoing Operation Bacinet security watches, says alot about the operational tempo the SAF can sustain.

The sun never sets on SAF training.

SAF units train somewhere on the globe when the sun shines, be it in Oklahoma, Queensland State, Singapore, or moving west to the RSAF detachment in Cazaux (France) or Republic of Singapore Navy Archer-class submarine training in Sweden.

Few people may realise the effort and planning needed to raise, train and sustain military units in far-flung locations during a live-firing exercise with a manoevre component. One forgotten mission critical spare part or widget, left behind in a storehouse back home in Singapore, is all it takes to cripple a weapon platform or system...

*'Senang Diri' is in Malay and as a foot drill command, it means 'at ease'. Malay, BTW is Singapore's 'national' language and English is one of our four 'official' languages.

What do these pictures have to do with Exercise Forging Sabre? Who connects them?

Clue 1: Singapore's national day parade

Clue 2: SAF's Humanitarian Assistance Support Task Force unloading supplies at Meulaboh, Indonesia in the aftermath of the Dec 2004 Tsunami.

Clue 3: Mr Annan gets an update of the Tsunami relief efforts from the TNI officers and the SAF Joint Humanitarian Assistance Task Force Commander.

[h/t to bdique for posting some of the pixs in another forum first and spiderweb6969 for the scanned article]

 

[OPSSG]

Singapore enjoys a strong relationship with the US military. As a small country with limited air space for training, we are very grateful that the USAF and US Army Aviation enable us to conduct first rate training there and we try to be helpful to our US hosts when the need arises.

Above is a rare pix of a RSAF CH-47SD Chinook releasing sandbags to plug a hole in the broken levee after Hurricane Katrina. The RSAF Chinooks deployed were from a RSAF training detachment based in Grand Prairie, Texas, US. The CH-47SD has a longer "radar nose," found on the MH-47E Special Operations Chinook which can accommodate radar antennas and long-range fuel tanks with 2,068-gallon capacity.

More RSAF pixs of our Peace Prairie Detachment in working in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005

RSAF Chinooks from the Peace Prairie Detachment in Texas taking part in the humanitarian assistance operations after Hurricane Katrina left a trail of destruction in Louisiana and Mississippi on 29 Aug 2005. The Chinooks flew more than 80 sorties and transported over 800 evacuees and security personnel during the operations.

An RSAF air crew member keeps a watchful eye on the Chinook's cargo as the helicopter airlifts sandbags to help mend the levees in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The RSAF's Chinooks airlifted 540 tonnes of equipment, humanitarian supplies and sand during the relief operations.

A member of the RSAF Peace Prairie Detachment waits for the right moment before releasing the Chinooks cargo of sandbags over damaged levees during the Hurricane Katrina relief operations. The team in Texas had responded to the disaster promptly and arrived at Fort Polk, Louisiana, on 1 Sept 2005, after the hurricane tore through Louisiana and Mississippi on 29 Aug.

 

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Exercise Forging Sabre 2009

The above illustration was drawn to explain the May 2008 division exercise (Exercise Lightning Warrior) held at Lohatla Combat Training Centre, in South Africa. The same concepts would apply in Exercise Forging Sabre.

Given that Singapore currently operates a Peace Vanguard Apache Helicopter detachment at Marana, Arizona, as well as a Peace Prairie Chinook detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, it make sense to hold a combined arms exercise in the US to enable our RSAF airmen to work with our ground forces.

Forging Sabre pictures on the Fort Sill flickr photostream

Maj. Gen. David Halverson, Fort Sill and Fires Center of Excellence commander, provides as overview of Fort Sill, Okla., and its missions to (left in white shirt), Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Teo Chee Hean, and other Singaporean leaders participating in exercise Forging Sabre Nov. 17, 2009.

Maj. Gen. David Halverson providing more details at the same presentation.

Brig. Gen. Roger Mathews, commandant of the Air Defense Artillery School, talks with Singaporean airmen in a hangar at Henry Post Army Airfield Nov. 14, 2009, at Fort Sill. About 600 Singaporean soldiers and airmen are at Fort Sill for the three-week long Forging Sabre combined warfighter exercise with U.S. servicemembers and contractors from throughout the Southwestern United States. (U.S. Army photo by Jeff Crawley)

A Republic of Singapore Air Force Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sits in a hangar at Henry Post Army Airfield Nov. 14, 2009, at Fort Sill. (U.S. Army photo by Jeff Crawley). BTW, the Searcher UAV featured in the above pix and operated by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command of the RSAF recently achieved a milestone of 20,000 flying hours in RSAF service.

A Singaporean Searcher UAV conducts aerial reconnaissance as it works with two Singaporean F-16 fighters at Falcon Range Nov. 14, 2009. (U.S. Army photo by Jeff Crawley)

Servicemembers from the Republic of Singapore gather around one of their AH-64 Apache helicopters in a hangar at Henry Post Army Airfield Nov. 14, 2009, at Fort Sill. (U.S. Army photo by Jeff Crawley)

Members of the Singaporean armed services along with U.S. Soldiers pose for a group photo Nov. 14, 2009, at Henry Post Army Airfield at Fort Sill. (U.S. Army photo by Jeff Crawley)

Exercise Forging Sabre participants gather with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launcher as a backdrop to mark the successful completion of the exercise Nov. 17, 2009 at Thompson Hill, Fort Sill, Okla.

Teo Chee Hean, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Maj. Gen. David Halverson, Fort Sill, Okla., and Fires Center of Excellence commander, meet with Singapore military personnel at the conclusion of Exercise Forging Saber near Thompson Hill Nov. 17, 2009.

A rocket blazes forth from a Singaporean operated High-Mobility Rocket System part of Forging Sabre Nov. 17, 2009 near Thompson Hill, Fort Sill, Okla. Above pix by Sgt. Dickey Sauer.

[h/t to Typhoon for posting the link first in another forum.]

 

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News from Mountain Home Air Force Base

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean speak to members of the RSAF during the Peace Carvin V inauguration ceremony Nov. 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Renishia Richardson)

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley speak to members of the RSAF during the Peace Carvin V inauguration ceremony Nov. 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Renishia Richardson)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean unveiling the commemorative plaque at the inauguration of Peace Carvin V in Mountain Home, Idaho as Chief of Air Force MG Ng Chee Khern and US detachment Commander LTC Keith Gibson look on.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Republic of Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean speak to the media after the Peace Carvin V inauguration ceremony Nov. 19. The PC V detachment was established in October 2008 as the U.S. Air Force's 428th Fighter Squadron, and will operate up to 12 F-15SG fighter aircraft at the base for the next 25 years. The detachment of approximately 16 U.S. Air Force, 250 Republic of Singapore Air Force personnel, and 95 contractors to include pilots, weapons system officers and ground crew, will undergo air-to-air and air-to-ground training and development programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Renishia Richardson)

Below is a link to a news report of the formal inauguration of the Peace Carvin V, F-15SG fighter detachment at the Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) that signified the partnership between US and Singapore. This event was attended by the US Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Teo Chee Hean. Here's a link to the transcript of Teo Chee Hean's speech (which provides a short history of important relationship milestones). The Peace Carvin V detachment was established in October 2008 as part of the US Air Force's (USAF's) 428th Fighter Squadron and will operate up to 12 F-15SG fighter aircraft at the MHAFB for the next 25 years.

Idaho's NewsChannel 7 Report and Video footage

If you watch Col. John Bird of the USAF, who was interviewed in the mid-point of the video, you will see that he mouths the word 'ally' and quickly recovered to say 'partner', when describing the US-Singapore relations. See post #342 in the RSAF thread for the distinction.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean placing the Peace Carvin V detachment badge on MAJ Mark Tan at the inauguration of Peace Carvin V in Mountain Home, Idaho.

Members of the 428th Fighter Squadron line up in formation during the Peace Carvin V inauguration ceremony.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Renishia Richardson)

Republic of Singapore air force Master Sergeant Tan Thiam Chye Gene serves on the 428th Aircraft Maintenance Unit flightline crew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Renishia Richardson)

 

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RSAF at Mountain Home Air Force Base

Members of the ground crew conducting a thorough Foreign Object Debris check.

A member of the flight line crew signalling approval for take-off.

An F-15SG fighter aircraft landing after a flight training session.

The flight crew conducting a post flight check after a successful training session.

A row of F-15SG fighter aircrafts parked at the flight line.

 

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18 Nov 2009 - Chief of Air Force MG Ng Chee Khern officiated the inauguration ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Peace Triton Sikorsky Seahawk Naval Helicopter detachment in the United States Navy (USN) Maritime Strike Weapons School in San Diego on 16 November.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) had earlier acquired six S-70B Sikorsky Seahawk Naval Helicopters (NH). As part of the operationalisation process, the RSAF and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) had subscribed to the USN's SH-60F Aircraft Qualification Course. Currently, the detachment has four helicopters and the Formidable-class frigate RSS STALWART, and will operate with a total of 152 aircrew and ship crew.

The training syllabus is conducted in two phases, the first being the aviation module where the individual vocations hone their skills and work as a composite crew. The second sees the integration between the frigate and the NH, and learning to fight as a composite unit.

Above an ASTER Missile Firing from the CIC of a Formidable-class frigate

The training is held in San Diego, and includes USN instructors, RSAF pilots, RSN Tactical Co-ordination Officers (TACCO), RSN Sensor Operators (SENSO) and RSAF ground maintenance. They undergo a stringent selection criteria such as medical checks, screening and air crew qualification courses.

MSG Mok Chuan Peng, one of the SENSOs under training shared: "I think most would agree that the qualification is a tough one. RSN personnel need to qualify themselves aeromedically. They also have to go through the "Dunker", affectionally known as such by the aircrew, or simply put - helicopter escape training. They need to be quick minded and fast handed. In the ship's Combat Information Centre, you have the various operators. In our helicopter, you are the Radar Plotter, Electronic Warfare operator, Command and Control operator and the Principal Warfare Officer all at the same time. Many will be frightened by the workload, but it would be a test of your pedigree."

2WO Heng Siak Guan, another SENSO added: "It is really tough being in a helicopter. The constant vibrations, the smell of fumes, air sickness, confined space and yet the need to be on your toes to be an extension of the ship fighting system. The demands can be quite high. NH is really the RSN's aviation in its own class to say the least."

The experience working with the USN instructors was also certainly different. "The way of life, even work vocabulary," shared CPT Andrew Sim, one of the TACCOs undergoing training. “But it has been unique and good thus far. If one approaches it with an open heart and be a humble learner, you will get many lessons in life and on work ethics. If you look further, it will be useful to condense them and rehatch them to make applications to better your work environment."

Looking forward, the frigates and NH will undergo more intensive training, that will cumulate in the full integration between the assets.

MAJ Leon Chua, who is also a TACCO commented: "It is a very important milestone, but it is not easy as many think it can be. It takes a lot of hammering down to details and it is not something you can just discuss and draw on paper. It is about knowing the unknowns and finding an answer to them. The NH will complete the frigate, which is already a formidable node of the SAF. Coming together will be a beginning and more work is expected."

"I personally look forward to it. It will be the toughest but necessary challenge for us. If it is done right from the start, we will lay the correct and safe foundation to the way we fight with naval helicopters. We have done much preparing ourselves for this chapter. Now, it is time to work the correct and winning formula."

LTC Jonathan Tan with his US counterpart

The Peace Triton programme is designed to provide an organic naval helicopter capability for the Formidable Class frigates. Singapore has an unusual shared organizational arrangement (between the air force and the navy) the details of which are described above.

NAVAL AIR STATION, NORTH ISLAND (Sept. 24, 2009) -- A member of the Republic of Singapore Navy guides a Singapore S-70B Naval Hawk Helicopter on the flight line of Naval Air Station, North Island. The aircraft is participating in the exercise Peace Triton, a shipboard integration phase of Bilateral training given by the U.S. Navy to the Singapore Airforce and Navy. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Valverde.

The Airforces Monthly May 2009 issue also has a relevant article [h/to to spiderweb6969] and there are more details on the S-70B in Aviation Week here.

 

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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpMSeH2Ca2o]Gen. McChrystal Discusses Situation in Afghanistan[/ame]
At Gen. McChrystal's briefing on Afghanistan, I spy a Singaporean soldier (Col. Tan) in the group being briefed. IIRC, Singapore is one of 43 nations who contribute people to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) efforts. I believe we are the 2nd smallest country amongst the 40+ troop contributing nations in Afghanistan.

Col. Tan (with back to the camera) is seated on the extreme right on the first row, in the pix below:

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the ISAF, addresses members of his staff, moments after President Barack Obama announced in his speech that he would send 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in order to help ISAF gain the initiative against violent extremists, deny them safe haven and enhance the coalition's ability to train and mentor Afghan security forces. Click here for Gen. McChrystal's 66 page report to Gates dated 30 August 2009. [h/t to He219 & goat 89]

Beyond Col. Tan at ISAF HQ, we have a 17 man, Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) team deployed at Tarin Kowt, Oruzgan (see post #30 of this thread for pixs of the WLR team) and a 3 man Winter Deployment Team (WDT) in Bamiyan that serves as part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). The PRT works closely with the local government in the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid donated by the SAF to the local populace. The WDT replaced the 6 servicemen deployed to the PRT in Bamiyan from April to November 2009. The WDT replaced a 6-man construction engineering team deployed to supervise the construction of a Paediatric and Women's Ward extension for the Bamiyan Provincial Hospital, as well as a security wall around the Provincial Administrative Building.