EXPANDING TRAINING LAND IN TEKONG

On 26 Aug, Chief of Army, Major-General (MG) Desmond Kuek, laid the foundation stone for the future of military training at the soon-to-be established San Yong Kong Field Camp on Pulau Tekong.

Scheduled for completion in June 2006, will increase the current land area available for military training locally.

Built by the Combat Engineers, this field camp will be used to train Infantry and Guards battalions. Full-time National Servicemen and Operationally Ready NSmen can stay in the field for up to two weeks at a stretch.

Upon completion, the field camp will be handed over to 9 Division/Infantry.

When San Yong Kong Field Camp is ready, SAF units will also be able to conduct training on the island itself, thereby cutting back on the need to train overseas.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony, MG Kuek emphasised the need for such a "flexible" training area.

Pulau Tekong will be landscaped and crafted to meet future training needs. This will allow units to train for extended periods without the need to return to the mainland, he said.

With a minimalist design to suit the rugged environment, every part of the camp will be constructed to simulate a realistic training environment.

The rugged design of the camp will train resilience and build camaraderie among the troops as they experience operations in a challenging field environment, said MG Kuek.