Honouring SM Lee for his contributions to the SAF
Long before he became Prime Minister, he was BG Lee, an Artillery Officer who served and helped shape the SAF of today.To most young Singaporeans, he’s widely known as Singapore’s third Prime Minister.
However, not many may know of his service in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) before entering politics in 1984.
Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong joined the SAF in 1971 and served as a commissioned Artillery officer.
As a former Brigadier-General (BG), Mr Lee held several high-ranking positions such as the Chief of Staff of the General Staff in 1982.
He took on the concurrent role of Director of the Joint Operations and Plans Directorate in 1983, driving the set-up of Joint-Staff and the SAF as a tri-Service force.
His time in uniform
That same year, he led the rescue operations during the Sentosa Cable Car incident.
“It was a very, very delicate operation,” recalled Lieutenant-General (LG) (Ret) Winston Choo, who was speaking in a tribute video to Mr Lee.
“The cable cars were dangling on the wire... And he worked out that the best way (to get the victims out safely) was to use a helicopter.”
LG (Ret) Choo was the SAF’s first Chief of Defence Force, serving from 1976 to 1992.
“I remember waiting and watching what was happening with a lot of anxiety but he did it very well. He saved every person down there.”
On 21 Sep 1984, then-BG Lee left the SAF. A farewell parade was held for him at Khatib Camp – Home of the Gunners – two days before.
His last symbolic act as an artillery officer was the firing of the 25-pounder, an honour bestowed only to VIPs.
The SAF never left his heart
Even as he left the military, Mr Lee’s relationship with the SAF continued.
As 2nd Minister for Defence from 1987 to 1990, he pushed to establish Exercise Wallaby in 1990 in Shoalwater Bay, Australia.
And as Prime Minister, Mr Lee also pushed for more training opportunities for the SAF during the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership negotiations between Singapore and Australia in 2015.
This was because “he knew how valuable (the) training grounds (in Australia) would give realistic training for the SAF,” said Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who was speaking at the SAF Day Dinner at SAFTI Military Institute on 26 Jul.
Honouring SM Lee
Held annually, this year’s SAF Day Dinner was chosen as an occasion to honour and thank Mr Lee for his contributions to Singapore and the SAF.
During his speech, Dr Ng paid tribute to Mr Lee, describing him as one of the SAF’s “most precious and illustrious sons”.
“SM Lee, tonight the SAF and MINDEF honour you. But you have honoured the SAF in return through your life’s work, sacrifice and achievements for Singapore; for the values your life exemplifies; for being who you are,” said Dr Ng.
At the dinner, Mr Lee was presented with a 25-pounder gun cartridge, embellished with Artillery colours – along with a photo collage of him during his military tenure – to serve as a reminder of his days as an Artillery Officer.
Forming lifelong friendships
Calling it “my privilege to have served for many years in uniform”, Mr Lee said that he has benefitted enormously from his time in the SAF.
From getting to know and understand his fellow servicemen from all walks of life to learning how to work as team, lead and take care of his soldiers, these lessons have lasted him a lifetime, said Mr Lee.
The friendships and bonds formed are also memories he holds dear.
“It is always heart-warming to run into an old comrade, or to have someone come up to me to say “Sir, I was your soldier in XX unit”… or “we served in the same camp in the 1970s,” said Mr Lee with a smile.
“Our minds go back through the years, and conjure up the training exercises we went through, the difficulties and disappointments we overcame, the achievements and successes that we still feel proud of.”
The need for a strong SAF
Even as the event was meant to honour him, Mr Lee did not forget and thanked the sacrifices and hard work of servicemen, as well as the strong backing of their families and Singaporeans, in building up a strong SAF.
“Without a strong SAF, Singapore would not have experienced the peace and progress that we’ve had for almost six decades now, nor enjoyed such stable and friendly relations with our neighbours.”
And as Singapore draws closer to another decade of peace, the SAF needs – more than ever – to remain combat-ready, noted Mr Lee.
“We count on all of you, and the generations of servicemen and women yet to come, to continue upholding this sacred task of defending this nation which we call home.”
Fitting closure coming from a man who gave his utmost service to Singapore and the SAF.
What his old Artillery buddies say about SM Lee:
“Very sincere, friendly and no-nonsense. You don’t try to bluff him lah, he’s very good.”
– Master Warrant Officer (Ret) Lim Puay Siah, Field Artillery Target Acquisition Officer Course, Training and Admin Non-Commissioned Officer in 1974
“He sees the big picture… He’s always about five steps ahead.”
– Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Mukhtiar Singh, Head GS, Headquarters Artillery from 1972 – 1975
“He has sacrificed himself for the country. For sure.”
– Colonel (Ret) Chan Jwee Kay, Chief of Artillery from 1976-1980
