SAF IN MULTILATERAL PEACE SUPPORT EXERCISE

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has sent a 63-member contingent to take part in an annual multilateral peace support and stabilisation exercise in Thailand from 7 to 18 Feb.

The exercise, code-named Cobra Gold, will see participants from the SAF, the Royal Thai Armed Forces, United States Pacific Command, Japan Self-Defence Forces, Indonesian National Defence Forces, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and Malaysia Armed Forces working together.

Held in Chiang Mai this year, Exercise Cobra Gold is a series of exercises that aims to promote mutual understanding, friendship and professionalism among the personnel of the participating armed forces.

At the opening ceremony on 7 Feb, United States Deputy Chief of Mission Judith Cefkin noted that challenges in today s globalised world can seldom be tackled alone and success in overcoming them depends on multilateral cooperation. She added: The experience that the exercise provides our troops strengthens their ability to work together to meet common threats. This experience is important, not just for theoretical reasons, but it also has real-world applications, as we have seen when our militaries work together in response to regional disasters, such as the tsunami in 2004.

The SAF s contingent, led by Chief Guards Officer Brigadier-General (BG) Chan Wing Kai, will be participating as staff planners for the Multinational Force Headquarters, as well as providing medical and dental services to the local population under the Medical Civil Assistance Programme (MEDCAP).

BG Chan said: Exercise Cobra Gold is a good platform for SAF servicemen to further strengthen relationships with our counterparts. Through the professional exchanges, we have the opportunity to learn from as well as enhance interoperability with the other participating forces.

Such professional learning is integral, especially in instances where our servicemen may be required to cooperate with different armed forces for peace support missions.

The MEDCAP team from the SAF will be making stops at villages in the provinces of Chantaburi, Khon Kaen, Phichit, Tak and Lampang. Speaking to cyberpioneer, the Medical Lead for the SAF MEDCAP team Major (Dr) Paul Zhao said: It s a first for everyone on the team (to be participating in Exercise Cobra Gold). We re looking forward to working with teams from six other nations to provide whatever medical help we can to the locals.

Representatives from eight other countries are also involved in this year s exercise as observers. The SAF has been a full participant of Exercise Cobra Gold since 2000.