SAF 2005 - THE YEAR IN PICTURES

Mother Nature is powerful and terrorist threats are deadly. In the wake of natural disasters as well as the bomb blasts that ripped through Bali, Indonesia, the SAF was quick to extend a helping hand to its neighbours and friends, proving that, above all, humanity prevails.

Jan 05: Over 1,500 SAF personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force worked hand-in-hand to provide humanitarian assistance to the survivors of the tsunami that hit Indonesia late Dec 04. Over the three-week operation, SAF aircraft flew some 250 missions and carried more than 1,000,000 pounds of cargo and 4,000 people. The medical teams treated 4,000 people in Banda Aceh and Meulaboh.

Mar 05: When a massive earthquake hit Nias in Indonesia, the SAF responded quickly, deploying personnel and equipment to help the victims. Over 10 days of relief efforts, SAF personnel treated more than 1,030 casualties and evacuated nearly 70 victims.

Sep 05: When the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, through the National Guard, approached the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Peace Prairie Detachment in Texas to help in relief efforts post-Hurricane Katrina, the RSAF responded promptly, sending four CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

No man is an island. Within national borders or across countries with friends near and far, Singapore s defence policy stressed co-operation and collaboration in a united fight against unpredictable threats. Working closely with other homeland security agencies, the SAF tightened Singapore s security. And by establishing new ties and re-affirming old bonds, the SAF ensured the seas and skies around our island stay well protected.

Feb 05: RSS Resolution was deployed in the Northern Arabian Gulf for maritime security and interdiction operations. Its crew of more than 180 worked closely together, as well as with other navies deployed in the same area.

Mar 05: Men from 180 SQN of the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Police Coast Guards form Accompanying Sea Security Teams(ASSeTs) that are deployed on board certain merchant vessels in Singapore waters, working to ensure the safety and security of the Singapore Straits.

May 05: The Army's 2nd People's Defence Force Headquarters has been configured as the Island Defence Headquarters (IDHQ). Working closely with Home Team agencies, it monitors and responds decisively to security threats. IDHQ's capabilities have also been enhanced by the 6th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR), the Army's first active Protection of Installation battalion.

The transformation of the SAF into a 3G force really kicked into action in the last 12 months.
New equipment and processes were unveiled for all three Services, and more critically, we saw
how the three forces were working together in a network-centric model, to bring Singapore s
future fighting capabilities into the SAF of today.

Sep 05: In the face of heightened security threats, the need for a dedicated reconnaissance unit for operations other than war has become essential. Thus, the 1st Battalion, Military Intelligence (1 MI Bn) was inaugurated to provide critical intelligence for mega-events through use of advanced technologies.

Oct 05: Pegasus, the new Singapore Light Weight Howitzer, is the world's first self-propelled and heli-transportable 155mm gun.

Nov 05: The core capabilities of the 3G SAF - precision strike, unmanned airfare, and Integrated Knowledge Command and Control (IKC2) - were showcased during Forging Sabre, a 12 day unilateral exercise in the Mojave Desert, California in the United States. F-16 fighter aircraft, artillery platforms and Apache attack helicopter (pictured here firing a Hellfire missile) and more than 300 personnel were involved in the exercise.

While defence remains the number one priority, the contributions of soldiers, particularly the Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), are not forgotten. A series of new initiatives were introduced this year to reward and provide convenience for our servicemen.

Apr 05: Charlie Company from the 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR) was named the first Urban Operations-capabale company in the SAF. In this mode of operation, intelligence and communications are better integrated, thereby enhancing the situational awareness of soldiers.

Aug 05: The In-Camp Training cycle of Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) was reduced to 10 years.

Aug 05: The opening of SAFRA Mount Faber and the introduction of more e-services to manage NS administrative matters also mean greater convenience for the soldiers.