COORDINATED TAKEDOWN

Singapore's security framework gets a thorough workout as the National Maritime Security System (NMSS) tackles threats from land and sea at Exercise Highcrest.

A hijacked ferry is charging towards a busy ferry terminal in eastern Singapore. On land at the ferry terminal, masked men are wreaking havoc; taking hostages and firing into the crowds.

For a brief moment, it is pure pandemonium. On the water, large grey silhouettes appear over the horizon, bringing help to restore order. Their markings make it clear that these are the good guys. From the Singapore Armed Forces come Patrol Vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy; fast craft piloted by the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF), and a helicopter with more members of the SOTF.

The SOTF storm the ferry, entering from their fast craft that are now alongside, while the Super Puma helicopter drops a rope and delivers more SOTF troopers onto the ferry's deck. The hijackers don't stand a chance.

Now under control, the ferry slows and boats from the Police Coast Guard, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore as well as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore pull alongside to make sure everything is alright.

On land, it is a similar picture. Crack teams of SOTF troopers and the Singapore Police Force work together to take down the terrorists. The situation is under control.

Welcome to the high-octane 10-day-long Exercise Highcrest.

Personnel from the multiple agencies neutralising terrorist attacks at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

One team, one fight

With 1,600 personnel from 20 agencies, the exercise validates the NMSS' Full Operational Capability. It does this by testing its ability to make sense of incidents in real time and its ability to direct a Whole-of-Government response to deal with threats from land and sea.

The NMSS is located at the Changi Command and Control Centre in Changi Naval Base. It comprises the National Maritime Sense-making Centre (NMSC) and the National Maritime Operations Group (NMOG).

The entire set-up is overseen by Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Ng Chee Peng. He also helms the Crisis Management Group (CMG) for Maritime Security and is in charge of ensuring that there is a well-oiled national response across all maritime security agencies when seaborne threats arise.

As the "brains" of the exercise, the NMSS was in charge of coordinating all the action. During the two-phase Exercise Highcrest, Singapore's maritime and land agencies shared their standard operating procedures by working closely together.

The first phase - a table-top exercise - saw the CMG for Maritime Security establish linkages with its land counterpart, the CMG for Safety and Security.

The second phase was a ground deployment exercise which sees the execution of joint security plans developed in the first phase. For more on the deployment exercise to defend key installations against terrorist attacks, see the infographic.

At a joint media conference held earlier, Exercise Director RADM Jackson Chia said that the exercise provides a good platform for the numerous maritime agencies to enhance interoperability in identifying and handling maritime security threats.

Working together

For participant Captain (CPT) Luo Weining, the exercise is a welcome extension to the daily tasks that he already does on RSS Justice. "We patrol the Singapore Strait daily. This exercise amplifies what we are already trained to do on a daily basis." He serves as the Executive Officer on board the patrol vessel and is 2nd-in-command.

According to CPT Luo, the initial two days of the ground deployment exercise presented some challenges as the various agencies had to work out how best to coordinate with one another.

"Each of the agencies has their own way of handling the situation," explained CPT Luo. "But we learnt very quickly. So far, the linkages between agencies have been working well and there hasn't been any gaps."

Recalling the exercise, CPT Luo summed it up by saying: "This was a very important exercise. It helped us to understand how we approach crises and how we can leverage on each other's strengths and approach different crises together."

PM Lee confident of NMSS making the grade

Speaking to the media after visiting Exercise Highcrest on 6 Nov, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: "From what I have seen, (the NMSS) has prepared and trained well and I have every confidence that they will achieve full operational capability."

During the visit, PM Lee and other ministers - including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean and Minster for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen - saw how the SAF, SOTF and other national agencies came together to tackle sea and land-based threats.

Exercise Highcrest

The National Maritime Security System (NMSS) is put through its paces as multiple agencies come together to respond to a multi-pronged terrorist attack.

1) Sense-making and Operational Coordination
A series of seemingly unrelated incidents are reported by various maritime and land-based agencies to the NMSS. The NMSS analyses these incidents and assesses that a potential threat is developing, and conducts integrated planning and coordination with relevant agencies to strengthen security and plan a national response.

Legend

RSN = Republic of Singapore Navy
PCG = Police Coast Guard
SOTF = Special Operations Task Force
MPA = Maritime and Port Authority
ICA = Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
SCDF = Singapore Civil Defence Force
SPF = Singapore Police Force
STS = Special Task Squadron
AST = Anti-Swarming Team
SOC = Special Operations Command