RIMPAC STRENGTHENS BOND BETWEEN NAVIES: DR NG

1DSCF4675 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/1dscf4675.jpg?sfvrsn=dbc21398_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/RIMPAC-STRENGTHENS-BOND-BETWEEN-NAVIES-DR-NG
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/RIMPAC-STRENGTHENS-BOND-BETWEEN-NAVIES-DR-NG
RIMPAC STRENGTHENS BOND BETWEEN NAVIES: DR NG
03 Aug 2018 | Diplomacy

RIMPAC STRENGTHENS BOND BETWEEN NAVIES: DR NG

// Report and photos by Jill Tan from Pearl Harbour, Hawaii

The biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) not only presents valuable training opportunities for Singapore but also reaffirms the strong ties among the navies participating in what is the world's largest multilateral maritime exercise.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen made these points during his visit to Hawaii, where Exercise RIMPAC is being held, on 2 Aug (Singapore time). He also thanked host country United States (US) for including the Republic of Singapore Navy in the exercise, which is being held from 28 Jun to 3 Aug in the waters off Hawaii.

Exercise RIMPAC began in 1971 with five participating countries. Today, it has grown substantially. This year, some 25 countries are taking part with 25,000 personnel, 45 ships, five submarines and 200 aircraft conducting training drills together.

"It (the exercise) reflects the US-led initiative to be inclusive, bring as many countries possible to collaborate (and enhance) interoperability. And overall, I think, not only from a training perspective, but from a military-to-military relations (and) defence relations (perspective), I think it is very positive," said Dr Ng when he visited troops taking part in the exercise, on board RSN frigate RSS Tenacious on 2 Aug.

As part of his visit, Dr Ng also attended a reception held on RSS Tenacious where he met RSN personnel, as well as with about 50 officers from the US, including Deputy Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Rear Admiral Matthew Carter, and participating Southeast Asian navies.

Dr Ng noted the strong participation in the exercise by ASEAN navies, with seven out of 10 ASEAN countries involved, and emphasised the importance of Ex RIMPAC and other US regional engagement efforts in building trust and confidence among regional militaries.

He said, "This (strong ASEAN participation in Ex RIMPAC) reflects the strong support that the US enjoys for its military-to-military engagements with ASEAN. And from ASEAN, (it is) a recognition of the important and vital role that the US continues to play in our region." Singapore chairs the regional grouping ASEAN this year.

He also added that military-to-military exercises build partnerships through collaboration and cooperation to forge mutual understanding and confidence.

For RIMPAC 2018, the RSN has taken on leadership roles such as Commander Task Group for anti-submarine warfare, as well as Commander Task Unit in the Expeditionary Strike Group. This is the sixth time that the RSN has participated over the last 10 years.

Dr Ng is on a four-day working visit to Honolulu, Hawaii from 1 to 4 Aug. In addition to attending the reception on RSS Tenacious, Dr Ng also visited the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii on 3 Aug, where he met Commander US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Admiral (ADM) Philip S. Davidson.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on a wide range of geopolitical developments such as the terrorism threat in Southeast Asia. They also welcomed future opportunities for deeper cooperation between the Singapore Armed Forces and the US INDOPACOM.

Suggested Reading
SUITED UP FOR SUBMARINE ESCAPE TRAINING
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

Get an inside look at how the Navy drills its submariners on escape survival techniques, to prepare them for an emergency.

CYBER DEFENDERS TAKE ON NEW THREATS IN CLOUD AND AI IN NATIONAL EXERCISE
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

The third Critical Infrastructure Defence Exercise (CIDeX) brings together cyber defenders from across Singapore to face the ever-evolving challenges of digital threats. 

Cover story
WELCOME TO CAMP TILPAL
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

How do you house some 6,000 people and feed them for three months? You build a pop-up “city” – complete with accommodations and the basic comforts of home – for the thousands of SAF soldiers who train annually in Queensland, Australia.

Cover story
FIGHTING AS ONE AT EXERCISE TRIDENT
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

Singapore’s army, navy and air force work together with Australian troops to capture targets in both jungle and urban warfare.

Cover story
THEY LIFT UP OUR BIG GUNS
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

Get up close with the men and machines of 24th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (24 SA), who provide a boost to our gunners to make sure they are always on time and on target.

COMMAND & STAFF COLLEGE GRADUANDS READY TO TAKE ON SENIOR LEADERSHIP ROLES
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

1
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE & BROTHERHOOD
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

NS has left indelible memories for these SAF pioneers from the 8th Engineers Officer Cadet batch, who celebrate their 50th anniversary since they were commissioned in 1974.

Super Puma flight tales
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

Retired helicopter pilot MAJ (Ret) Robert Tan was among the first few batches of locally-trained Super Puma pilots. Sports car or smooth bus – guess which vehicle he likens the aircraft to?

Total Defence is a duty of every Singapore business
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

Having experienced the demanding commitments of National Service, LTC (NS) Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin and Mr Gaurav Keerthi share why it’s so important for every Singapore business to support their NSmen.

Feature
He scaled a volcano with OCS mates & wrote a book about NS
Diplomacy
03 Aug 2018

LTC (NS) Leow Kah Shin and his NS buddies go on an annual “Exercise Longwalk” as a commitment to do something adventurous together.