CDF THANKS UNITS ON STANDBY OVER HOLIDAYS

For the soldiers of 9th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (9 SIR), the year-end festive season meant time away from home. They have been on patrol duty at Jurong Island since before Christmas and will only stand down on 14 Jan.

To show his appreciation for them, Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng Chee Meng visited 9 SIR in Jurong Island on 31 Dec 2013.

He shared with the soldiers: "When I was younger, I was also on standby. I had done what you have done... so I know where you are coming from. I know sometimes your heart longs for the family, but I will be supporting you."

LG Ng went on to remind them of the important roles they are playing.

"The very presence of you in NS is the strength of the country. It's a deterrence for people who may want to do us harm," he said.

"Whether you are a soldier, commander, or even for myself as CDF, all of us must come together to make sure we can protect Singapore's way of life, allow Singaporeans to go about their way of living, and for you, protecting your families."

Despite missing the Christmas revelry and New Year celebrations, these Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) as well as Regulars understood the need for what they do.

2nd Sergeant (2SG) Sammy Neo, a section commander, said: "The place that we are protecting is very important. Jurong Island, with its many oil refineries, is one of the major economic centres of Singapore."

He added: "If we don't protect Singapore, who will?"

For Corporal (CPL) Nor Isam, it was all about repaying the older generations of NSmen who had kept him and his family safe.

"My predecessors had done their duty to protect Singapore when I was a civilian. So it is now my turn to do my bit and repay the favour," said the section 2nd-in-command.

LG Ng also visited sailors of patrol vessel RSS Brave at Tuas Naval Base before they set sail on a New Year's eve morning to patrol the Singapore coastline. He reminded them to "sail safe and keep Singapore safe".

The message resonated with Captain (CPT) Teo Boon Heng, the assistant navigation officer of RSS Brave. Despite the fact that he was going to miss the New Year celebration, he remained focused on his duty.

"When we are on board a ship, we are ready and focused on our operations to protect Singapore's sea lines 24/7," he said.

LG Ng ended his visit at Paya Lebar Air Base where the 144 Squadron (SQN) was on New Year's eve duty. He commended the airmen for maintaining a high state of readiness.

F-5S/T pilot CPT Wong Yu Zhou understood that at the first sign of trouble, the squadron would have to scramble the fighter planes for operations fast.

"We have very little time to react because a small country like Singapore lacks strategic depth," he said. "But all of us here, the pilots, aircrew and engineers and logistic staff, are ready."