ALL EYES ON 2011

As December rolls around, it is time to reflect and take stock of the year. PIONEER looks back at some of the key events that happened in 2011, through the eyes of seven individuals.

From the furore over the Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) whose maid carried his backpack, to gathering 40 years of experience in overseas operations, changes in top leadership and the introduction of new initiatives, 2011 has certainly been an eventful year for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Whether dealing with challenges or chalking up achievements, the SAF needs to remain "strong, integrated and people-centric", as highlighted by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen in the Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF's) addendum to the President's Address on 15 Oct.

Bringing medical care to Afghanistan

The 13-man team, which recently returned to Singapore on 28 Oct, was deployed to the Afghan province of Oruzgan in August this year to provide medical support and health care for International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel and Afghan locals. They were joined by an Imagery Analysis Team, also stationed in Oruzgan since August last year, which enhanced the ISAF's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

"For the whole deployment, both the Singapore and United States teams treated over 300 patients. Sometimes there would be days when no patients came in, and other days there were mass attacks where we had 26 patients," said Major (MAJ) (Dr) Soh Teck Hwee, an SAF doctor who was part of the medical team.

"One night, they sent in seven patients at the same time after an incident, and it was all hands on deck for both the Singapore and US teams. It was very challenging but also very satisfying to see how well we could work together to save lives."

"We saw a lot of war wounds and trauma cases, from gunshot wounds to limbs that were blown off or had to be amputated. Being in deployment imparts a sense of mission and realism to your work and it brings home the picture that war is real, and we must be prepared at all times."

- MAJ (Dr) Soh on his personal takeaway as part of the medical team deployed at a field hospital in Afghanistan.

A helping hand in NZ quake relief

Captain (CPT) Ashley Jude Peterson, a KC-135R pilot from 112 Squadron, was one of seven air crew who flew the SAF command team and members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force urban search and rescue team to Christchurch, New Zealand on 24 Feb this year.

Following their arrival in Christchurch, the KC-135R evacuated 32 civilians out of the earthquake zone to Auckland.

"We train a lot for situations like these and the training was put to good use in this mission. Our squadron's motto is 'Determined to deliver', so we will always deliver on time, any time, anywhere in the world. The whole mission was executed very well and we got the job done," said the pilot.

"Knowing that I played a part in helping the people of Christchurch gives me a great sense of achievement. I am very proud to have represented the SAF and Singapore in carrying out this Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief mission."

- CPT Peterson on the SAF's assistance to New Zealand in the aftermath of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the city of Christchurch.

Fighting piracy in troubled waters

Headed by Rear-Admiral Harris Chan from the Republic of Singapore Navy from March to June this year, the command team of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 coordinated counter-piracy operations in deterring and disrupting piracy in GoA.

The team worked closely with other task forces from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union as well as with navies from countries assigned to protect national vessels passing through "Pirate Alley". During the team's three-month tenure at the helm, no merchant vessels suffered from pirate attacks in GoA and the Somali Basin.

Military Expert (ME) 4 Nirmal Singh Dhillon said this experience had broadened his perspective on maritime security. Back from his deployment, ME4 Dhillon is now working on another mission that of sharing the things he's learnt with young naval officers.

The Master Chief of the Maritime Security Task Force said: "I have seen real-time operations. It's now my duty to share the knowledge so that others can learn from my experiences there and be better prepared when they are deployed for missions."

In addition to the command team, the SAF also deployed a task group - comprising Landing Ship Tank RSS Endeavour and two Super Puma helicopters on board - to the GoA in August this year. On 1 Nov, the task group successfully foiled two attacks by suspected pirates.

"In the Gulf of Aden (GoA), we flew the Singapore flag high and showed the rest that we, a small nation, could make a difference to the counter-piracy efforts there. Being part of this mission was the proudest moment of my life with the Navy."

- ME4 Dhillon about being part of the team that was deployed to GoA this year.

A soldier's pride

The now-infamous photo of a domestic helper carrying the backpack of an NSF was first uploaded on citizen journalism website STOMP and later went viral on social media platforms.

Far from being "soft", 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Faisal Bin Azman, an instructor from Headquarters Specialist and Warrant Officer Institute, describes his generation of soldiers as adaptable, IT-savvy and combat-fit.

"We cannot compare the way training is conducted now and how it was conducted in the past. Now, as the army moves into the 3rd Generation, technology is incorporated into our training. But we still go through tough physical training!" said the 20-year-old who graduated from the Specialist Cadet School in September.

For the record, 3SG Faisal carries his own backpack.

"The photo didn't do justice for the rest of us going through National Service. It took only one guy for the rest of us to feel the pinch. It was unfair because afterwards, people said NSFs were 'soft'. But we go through tough training and for them to say we were soft, I wanted to say 'Come on!'"
- 3SG Faisal on the photo of a domestic helper carrying the backpack of an NSF.

Engaging the citizen army

Taking over as Minister for Defence in May this year, Dr Ng Eng Hen commented in the media interview, that it was important to relate to the younger generation of NSmen.

The SAF has to adapt its training methods and upgrade its equipment to maximise the abilities of these servicemen, and commanders will be allowed to experiment, added Dr Ng.

He cited the example of how recruits enjoyed the change in venue for their Basic Military Training Graduation Parade, which moved from Pulau Tekong to the main island. "That feeling when they go over the Sheares Bridge, and they see the skyline, and they know their parents, and girlfriends are waiting for them, the feedback is that they get a sense that they know what they're protecting, and that they understand it."

"We cannot expect others to defend us if we are not prepared to do it ourselves. Our servicemen today are better educated, and they are better able to master new skills and operate technologically complex systems. Our NSmen can and will do more."
- Dr Ng on how the SAF has to maximise the abilities of today's generation of Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), in an interview with local media on 28 Jun, ahead of SAF Day, 1 Jul.

Meeting the physical challenge

A key change of the enhanced Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) system was the voluntary IPPT Preparatory Training (IPT). Launched on 1 Apr, the revamped programme was adjusted from five weeks to nine months. Customised Personal Performance Targets (PPTs) are calculated via sports science and set to provide achievable goals for NSmen to train progressively and sustain their fitness.

Asked to describe his IPT experience, Lance Corporal (LCP) (NS) Mark Jonathan, a driver in the Forward Combat Service Support Battalion, said with a laugh: "Tiring!"

"The Fitness Specialists set a target for us to meet every session, and their friendly approach to training us and making sure we meet that target is what really helps us push ourselves further."

He added: "Besides the usual training sessions, they teach us fitness tips and encourage us to train at home as well. The flexibility in scheduling our sessions is also more convenient and gives me more time to spend on myself and with my family."

"I've seen a lot of improvement, especially in my problem areas like the 2.4km run, and I'm confident that if I keep up with the training consistently, I'll be able to pass my IPPT eventually. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day!"
- LCP (NS) Jonathan, on the benefits of the enhanced IPPT system.

Learning to be a leader

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) marked an important milestone on 16 Jul when it celebrated its 110th anniversary. Its new tagline - Nurturing, Committed, Cool - describes how the Corps aims to nurture its cadets into committed leaders through an expanded variety of cool and fun programmes.

For Master Sergeant (MSG) (NCC) Jason Ong, a Secondary Four student from Fuhua Secondary School, it certainly has been an exciting four years in NCC. Experiential camps, kayaking, Laser Quest games, shooting and drill competitions, even a ride on a C-130 military aircraft - these were just some of the many activities which MSG (NCC) Ong got to participate in.

At the top of his list is an overseas trip to Thailand this year as part of the international cadet exchange programme.

"We viewed the whole process of the field live-firing exercise, and it was a lot of fun because we got to experience things most 16-year-olds don't. For example, we were able to feel the tremors of the sound waves during the live firing!" he enthused.

"NCC teaches you discipline and perseverance-I've become less playful and more focused. You also learn to take initiative and be pro-active in being a leader and grabbing hold of learning opportunities."
- MSG (NCC) Ong on how NCC has helped him to prepare for NS.