SINGAPORE, INDONESIAN ARMIES MARK 50 YEARS OF WARM TIES

Talk about enduring friendships -- the Singapore Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations between the two countries at the closing ceremony of Exercise Safkar Indopura, which was held at the Murai Urban Training Facility on 20 Nov.

The 12-day exercise saw troops from the two armies conducting joint urban operations drills, live-firing and planning exercises, and a massive field exercise.

The field exercise saw soldiers from both sides fighting together through an urban landscape to take control of an objective. A pair of Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) was also added to the exercise. It is a platform that is familiar to soldiers from both sides as the TNI-AD also uses variants of the Leopard 2 MBT.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Melvyn Ong said: "This is the first time we have had soldiers from a foreign military operating alongside our crew in the Leopard 2SG MBT.

"That is the clearest indication of the mutual trust and understanding that we have developed over the years. Both armies, as a result of this exercise, have grown significantly closer."

He added: "This year we celebrate 50 years of warm bilateral relations between Singapore and Indonesia this is not a relationship that came about by chance, it is only through the willingness and initiatives of both nations that we are able to take a long-term approach and work towards achieving our collective goals."

In agreement, TNI-AD Chief of Staff General General (GEN) Mulyono said in his speech that the exercise not only improved the skills and capabilities of soldiers, but was also a means to enhance cooperation and friendship between the two armies.

For the Singaporean troops on the ground, it was a confidence-boosting period as the conscript soldiers worked alongside their more experienced Indonesian counterparts who were Regular soldiers.

Said Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Koh, Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR): "This is the first time my soldiers have interacted with a foreign army and I'm very happy to see the level of commitment from them.

"Through our discussions, we realised that our planning processes share a lot of similarities. So as commanders, we were able to come together quickly to plan and conduct the exercise."

It was an eye-opening experience for the Full-time National Servicemen such as 3SG Syahidul Matin Bin Mohd Puad, a Section Commander in 6 SIR. "It was interesting to see how the Indonesian soldiers worked. I was quite amazed at the level of teamwork we achieved in this short time and we managed the assault operation (assigned to us) successfully with the Indonesian soldiers."

Said Major (MAJ) Medi Haryo Wibowo from TNI-AD: "The exercise was great; we shared knowledge, (and) built mutual respect and trust.

"It showed how close (the two armies) are -- to be able to exercise at this level together."