SEA GUARDIANS HONOURED FOR COUNTER-PIRACY EFFORTS

Inside the Combat Information Centre (CIC) on board the Landing Ship Tank RSS Endeavour, the mood was tense. Seamen gathered around the console where Military Expert (ME) 1 Sathesh s/o Ram Chand was seated, eyes fixed on the screen in front of him.

The warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden had just foiled an attack by pirates operating from a skiff. After ordering the pirates to return to their mothership, the crew on RSS Endeavour awaited instructions to destroy the pirate skiff.

For Typhoon Gun operator ME1 Sathesh, all his training as a weapons control system specialist had prepared him for this moment. He took a deep breath, took aim at the pirate skiff, then fired the gun.

It was a hit. More gun shots followed, eventually sinking the pirate skiff.

Recounting the disruption operation that took place on 1 Nov, ME1 Sathesh said: "I was nervous when I fired my first shot, because that's the first time I'm firing at a real target. For the same reason, I was also excited, because when firing at the skiff, I felt that my training and hard work had paid off."

For participating in counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf, he was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Service Medal (OSM) on 14 Dec.

After the ship docked at Changi Naval Base, Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong presented the OSM to 279 servicemen who were part of the SAF counter-piracy task group. Comprising RSS Endeavour with two Super Puma helicopters on board, the task group that was deployed to the Gulf in August this year operated as part of Combined Task Force 151.

Commending the high state of readiness shown by the task group when it disrupted the pirate attacks last month, Mr Wong said: "This bears testament to the high standards of professionalism in the SAF and the tough and realistic training that our servicemen go through to prepare for such missions."

Commander Combined Maritime Forces Vice Admiral Mark Fox added: "They performed tremendously in executing counter-piracy operations. Their professionalism and commitment significantly contributed to our regional security and stability by ensuring the safety of transit and freedom of navigation."

This is the third task group that the SAF has deployed to the Gulf since April 2009. RSS Endeavour spent 77 days on active duty, responded to five calls for assistance and flew 110 helicopter sorties to provide air surveillance and warn off suspicious boats.

According to Commander of the task group Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Richard Lim, pirates these days are stepping up their attacks on merchant vessels. The pirate skiffs are now accompanied by their motherships or dhows which provide resupplies to the skiffs.

As the motherships have the capabilities to sail further, the furthest attack took place about 1,000 miles away from the coast of Somalia, said SLTC Lim, who is Commanding Officer of 191 Squadron.

On the evolving methods of piracy, SLTC Lim said: "Warships must be able to adapt to be on top of the game. The task group this year rose to the occasion and was able to deal with issues on the ground."

"Our concept of operations has improved in the sense that we have better surveillance with the improved sensors we have on the ship," he added.

For many of those whom cyberpioneer spoke to, the greatest challenge was being away from their families for an extended period of time.

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Mohammad Salleh bin Osman, a weapon operator from Headquarters Guards, recalled how he felt before leaving for the deployment: "I was a bit apprehensive because my daughter was only about a year old, and I was worried about my wife having difficulties handling two young children on her own."

He continued: "But I spoke to my children over the phone as and when I could during the deployment, and that was my source of motivation."

The task group's Operations Officer Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Jerica Goh experienced similar sentiments. "It was tough not being physically present for my two children... I'm definitely happy to be back home, especially for the festive period. I've been looking forward to hugging my children and spending time with my family."