S'PORE, INDON ARMIES MARK 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF BILATERAL EXERCISE

Safkar Indopura, the annual bilateral exercise between the Singapore and Indonesian armies completed the 20th exercise of its series this year.

Held in Medan, Sumatra, a total of 198 personnel from 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR) and Headquarters 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (HQ 3 SIB) joined 400 of their Indonesian counterparts from 100 RAIDER Battalion/KODAM I and 13th Infantry Brigade of the Strategic Reserve Command, TNI-AD, in the exercise.

What started out as a battalion-level Map Planning Exercise has since "expanded in scale and scope, as it now includes a planning phase at the command post level as well as troop exercises at the ground level", said Singapore's Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Neo Kian Hong.

"This reflects the strong friendship and mutual understanding between both armies," he added.

In addition to the exercise, army engineering and medical personnel from Singapore and Indonesia carried out socio-civic activities, such as repairing roads and providing medical and dental care to the local community.

The successful conclusion of Exercise Safkar Indopura 2008 underscores the excellent relations between Singapore and Indonesia. Besides bilateral exercises, both armies regularly send their officers for cross-attendance of one another's military courses.

The friendships and bonds that have developed between both nations' soldiers have been instrumental in enabling cooperation in times of need. Such was seen in the successful joint humanitarian relief operations following the tsunami in Aceh in 2004 and the earthquake in Yogyakarta in 2006.

MG Neo and Chief of Staff of the Indonesian army (TNI-AD) General (GEN) Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo co-officiated at the closing ceremony of Exercise Safkar Indopura 2008 on 30 Oct.