DIPLOMACY
CHEERS TO 10 GOOD YEARS!
29 Nov 2006
If there is one Singaporean that the residents of Rockhampton, Australia are particularly familiar with, it probably has to be Major (MAJ) Mark Liang.
MAJ Liang is the commander of the Army detachment in Rockhampton and has regular interactions with the Australian community.
The detachment was initially formed in 1993 and operated from Meeandah Base in Brisbane before moving to its current location two years later.
This year marks the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s 10th year of its presence in Rockhampton.
To commemorate the occasion, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean was at Rockhampton Airport on 29 Nov to unveil a plaque, together with Australian Defence Minister Brandon Nelsen and Rockhampton's Mayor Councillor Margaret Strelow.
Accompanying Mr Teo were Member of Parliament Mr Michael Palmer, Defence Deputy Secretary (Policy) Ms Yeoh Chee Yan and senior SAF officers.
Councillor Strelow felt that it was an "important relationship" between Singapore and Australia.
She also added: "Rockhampton welcomes the presence of soldiers and members of your community."
Minister Teo felt that Australia has been "a great friend" to Singapore.
He said: "The government has allowed us to make use of facilities here. It's an important exercise for us."
"It helps us to build up our capabilities, develop and test out our newer capabilities and is also a good opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with the Australian Defence Force (ADF)."
The detachment serves as a bridge between SAF forces and the Australian community in Rockhampton.
It liaises with the ADF regularly to prepare for SAF's yearly exercise in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and maintains good relations with the contractors, who are maintaining the SAF's fleet of vehicles in Rockhampton.
MAJ Liang told cyberpioneer: "This occasion reflects the good working relationship between Australia and Singapore."
"Australia, especially the people from Rockhampton and Yeppoon, give lots of support and hospitality to our troops during Exercise Wallaby each year."
MAJ Liang is the commander of the Army detachment in Rockhampton and has regular interactions with the Australian community.
The detachment was initially formed in 1993 and operated from Meeandah Base in Brisbane before moving to its current location two years later.
This year marks the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s 10th year of its presence in Rockhampton.
To commemorate the occasion, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean was at Rockhampton Airport on 29 Nov to unveil a plaque, together with Australian Defence Minister Brandon Nelsen and Rockhampton's Mayor Councillor Margaret Strelow.
Accompanying Mr Teo were Member of Parliament Mr Michael Palmer, Defence Deputy Secretary (Policy) Ms Yeoh Chee Yan and senior SAF officers.
Councillor Strelow felt that it was an "important relationship" between Singapore and Australia.
She also added: "Rockhampton welcomes the presence of soldiers and members of your community."
Minister Teo felt that Australia has been "a great friend" to Singapore.
He said: "The government has allowed us to make use of facilities here. It's an important exercise for us."
"It helps us to build up our capabilities, develop and test out our newer capabilities and is also a good opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with the Australian Defence Force (ADF)."
The detachment serves as a bridge between SAF forces and the Australian community in Rockhampton.
It liaises with the ADF regularly to prepare for SAF's yearly exercise in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and maintains good relations with the contractors, who are maintaining the SAF's fleet of vehicles in Rockhampton.
MAJ Liang told cyberpioneer: "This occasion reflects the good working relationship between Australia and Singapore."
"Australia, especially the people from Rockhampton and Yeppoon, give lots of support and hospitality to our troops during Exercise Wallaby each year."
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