Being the very best in the SAF

Leading this year's roll of honour in the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF’s) Best Unit Competition are three units that have set the benchmark for excellence in their domains.

The Red Berets cemented their winning legacy by clocking their 40th Best Combat Unit award since the competition began in 1969.

Mine Countermeasure Vessel (MCMV) RSS Punggol, on the other hand, is a first-time Best Maritime Security (MARSEC) Unit winner.

And after 12 years, the Air Force's 145 Squadron (SQN) has soared its way back to the top as Best Fighter Squadron.

Their achievements, alongside those of 27 other active and National Service (NS) units, will be honoured by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing at the SAF Day Parade on 1 Jul.

Best Combat Unit: 1st Commando Battalion (1 Cdo Bn)

How many wins: 40

This also marks their 23rd consecutive win!

What it takes:

For Commanding Officer (CO) Major (MAJ) Marcus Cheong, 36, clinching the Best Combat Unit title is not about the prestige of winning.

It is a reflection of the “commitment (and) discipline of every serviceman in the battalion in giving his best to defend the nation”.

“The men of 1 Cdo Bn understand the weight of the responsibility entrusted to us to defend the nation, and we do not take this achievement, or the peace and security that Singapore enjoys, for granted,” he said.

Most memorable mission:

Exercise 72 (better known as X72) is a signature rite of passage for Commando trainees to earn the coveted red beret.

During this gruelling three-day march, they must walk 72km while carrying a 20kg pack and complete a series of missions such as rappelling and water crossing.

“It was tough (not just) physically, (but also) mentally because it felt never-ending,” recalled Corporal First Class (CFC) Mohammed Naqib Nur Alim Bin Mohammed Hafeez. The 20-year-old Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) serves as a Detachment Signaller.

What kept them going? Teamwork and a shared sense of purpose, said fellow NSF 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Bhavesh Anand, 21, a Detachment 2nd-In-Charge.

“In every activity that we do, we give our 101 percent!” 

Unit values:

How has 1 Cdo Bn kept their top spot for so many years?

According to Regimental Sergeant Major 1st Warrant Officer (1WO) Nigel Ng, it starts with engaging the soldiers on the ground so that they understand the purpose behind the tough training.

Said the 38-year-old: “For the commandos to maintain high standards for 23 years and counting, it shows that each generation continues to learn, adapt, and uphold the legacy of the Red Beret.”

Best Maritime Security Unit: RSS Punggol

How many wins: 1

This is the first time RSS Punggol has been awarded the Best MARSEC Unit, and only the second time a Bedok-class MCMV has taken the top spot since 2015.

What it takes:

MAJ Chen Qinghe, CO of RSS Punggol, said that this achievement is a validation of the crew's day-to-day operational readiness in being on standby 24/7.

"Excellence comes from doing the small things well every day,” the 40-year-old noted.

“The culture of trust (among the crew) isn't accidental. It's built through open dialogue, where every voice matters.”

Military Expert (ME) 2 Mukunthan S/O Subramaniam agreed, adding: “The close bonds we share break down any barriers, allowing us to work together to perform at our best and overcome challenges.”

The crew’s ability to keep the MCMV’s complex engineering systems operating smoothly at sea is thanks to this strong teamwork, said the 39-year-old Marine Systems Supervisor.

Most memorable mission:

The crew's training culminated in a strong performance during Exercise Joint Minex Pandu 2026, a bilateral mine countermeasure and clearance diving exercise with the Indonesian Navy.

RSS Punggol successfully launched its mine disposal vehicle and neutralised a training target in just 15 minutes.

“What we do is not easy – the underwater environment is very challenging due to poor visibility, a congested area of operations, and strong underwater currents,” explained 2SG Goh Song Heng, an Underwater Systems Operator.

It takes rigorous training for the crew to be able to tackle these challenging conditions confidently, he added.

The 22-year-old NSF voluntarily extended his NS by a month to support the ship through a transitional phase.

“The close-knit bonds and friendship I shared with the crew was a strong driving factor in extending my NS.”

Unit values:

The vessel’s rallying cry is “ONE Punggol”, which is anchored by three core values: “Openness, Never give up, and Excellence”!

Best Fighter Squadron: 145 SQN

How many wins: 5

145 SQN has reclaimed the Best Fighter Squadron award after a 12-year wait – they previously took home the honor in 1998, 2000, 2012 and 2014.

What it takes:

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Matthew Foo, the CO, attributes the squadron’s success to the dedication of the entire team.

“This award is testament to the hard work, professionalism and fighting spirit of every individual in 145 SQN in upholding the highest standards of operational readiness and mission excellence.”

The 43-year-old also paid tribute to the airmen and women’s families for their unwavering support, especially during overseas detachments and training that can last up to three months.

A strong squadron culture – in which everyone is fully invested in the mission and believes in “working very hard towards a common goal” – was central to their win, said Logcell Controller ME3 Low Yin Ling, 46.

Building that sense of unity takes effort, she noted. To foster camaraderie, the squadron regularly holds team-bonding events and celebrations during birthdays and festive holidays.

Most memorable mission:

For LTC Foo, his best memories are of the various overseas exercises the squadron has participated in.

These include Exercise Pacific Griffin 2025 in Guam, as well as the multilateral Exercise Cope Tiger 2026 conducted jointly with the Royal Thai Air Force and United States Air Force in Thailand.

“Being overseas gives us an opportunity to do higher-end training and build a cohesive team that has the utmost trust in each other,” he explained.

“Without these opportunities (where the team works and lives together for extended periods of time), it would be very hard to build the (kind of) culture that we want.”

Unit values:

Beyond its frontline role, 145 SQN has taken on the task of training newly minted pilots and Weapon Systems Officers (WSOs) to become combat-ready F-16 operators.

This is no small responsibility, said LTC Foo. He believes that the squadron’s core values of accountability and purpose are reflected in the way it develops the next generation of fighter aircrew while maintaining high standards in daily operations.

Instructor Captain (CPT) Cheong Kah Fai hopes to lead by example as he trains and guides the squadron’s junior members.

“It is important that we impart our experience and knowledge to the next generation, to sharpen their fighting edge,” the 33-year-old explained.