TO BE THE BEST IN THE SAF

Typhoon Haiyan. The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370). Two disasters which hit Southeast Asia in recent times.

And in the thick of the action both times, searching for survivors, rescuing the displaced and providing aid where needed were the servicemen of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) 122 Squadron (SQN) who flew their C-130 Hercules aircraft in the missions.

During the Typhoon Haiyan mission, 122 SQN's initial role was to deliver supplies. Upon arriving in the Philippines, the crew discovered that they were also required to help evacuate the survivors.

They had to act fast. Major (MAJ) Darrell Goh, a pilot who flew in the mission, recalled the loadmasters and ground support staff improvising and reconfiguring the aircraft to carry passengers instead of supplies. "Instead of the usual seats, they sat on the floorboards and we tied straps across them to keep them secure. This enabled us to fit more people in the aircraft," he said.

Dedicated to the cause

122 SQN also had the support of dedicated Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) who volunteered in the squadron's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts, including a pilot who flew during the search-and-locate mission for MH370.

Commanding Officer (CO) Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Wong Hong Kai praised the NSman for his commitment, saying: "He thought it was a meaningful thing to do. We welcomed his volunteerism in flying for the squadron."

For their HADR efforts this past year, there is no doubt that 122 SQN deserves its Best Air Combat Support Squadron win in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Best Unit Competition.

Into its 45th and 11th years respectively, the SAF Best Unit and Best National Service (NS) Unit Competitions recognise units for their outstanding performance in combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative excellence. The competition also seeks to enhance mission excellence, professionalism and camaraderie among servicemen.

Dedication is clearly a winning formula shared by other Best Unit winners, including the Army's Best NS Artillery Unit recipient 289th Battalion, Singapore Artillery (289 SA).

Despite having to juggle family, in-camp training (ICT) and his job as an Operations Manager in CWT Limited, Regimental Quartermaster Master Sergeant (MSG) (NS) Saravanakumar has decided to extend his service by two to three years in order to complete his ICT cycle together with his unit. Although he is due to finish in about two years' time, he is volunteering to serve until his men complete their service as well.

"It's the brotherhood," MSG (NS) Saravanakumar explained. "I worked with this battalion previously when they were full-time NSmen (NSFs) and I was a Regular, so I wanted to see them through this."

Supportive bosses and colleagues

However, he noted that being an NSman has its challenges, the greatest being having to explain his absence to his children, who are still too young to understand the concept of ICT. Regardless, he is grateful for a supportive boss and colleagues who chip in to help when he is away.

"NS touches all aspects of our social fabric, both directly and indirectly," said CO and Head of Channel Strategy and Business Alliance at OCBC Bank MAJ (NS) Kenny Tan, on why his co-workers are understanding towards NSmen with ICT commitments. "That's why my immediate superior understands our commitments even though she has not undergone NS herself - she has a son who has."

Teamwork makes light work

Good superiors and peers can indeed make a difficult job easier to bear. So does teamwork. Just ask Best Fighter Squadron winner, 145 SQN, which flies the F-16D BLK 52+ Fighting Falcon. The pilot and a Weapons System Officer (WSO) work in tandem to attack and defend. Pilot Lieutenant (LTA) Emil Vincent Lau likened the relationship to that of a sword and a shield.

Team unity is never more evident than during crunch time. LTA Lau recounted an incident in May when half the squadron went for an overseas detachment, causing a shortage of manpower at the home base.

He said: "With exercises still going on in Singapore, . . .we double-hatted by helping out in other domains, just so that the jobs could be completed. For instance, I helped to plan the squadron's schedules even though it wasn't my area of expertise. The actual schedulers who were overseas guided me, and I was able to complete the task."

CO LTC Lim Kok Hong said: "During (mission) briefings, we are very hard on ourselves and on each other, because we want to keep the processes tight. This is what drives flying standards. But outside the flight room, we are one big family. We always look out for one another because we genuinely care for each other."

The sum of parts

However, a team is only as strong as the individuals who make up the team. Which is why former CO 1st Commando Battalion (1 CDO) LTC Iain Hoo emphasises the development of the individual men in the unit. Explaining a key mantra of the Commandos, he said: "One plus one has to be more than two. Everyone has his own strengths to bring to the team. So work on and capitalise on the strengths, and continue to be very sharp in identifying the weaknesses."

Demolition Specialist Corporal First Class (CFC) Kannan Gokul agreed that it was the individuals and their experiences that helped the unit to grow: "The instructors, who are Regulars, have gone through many ranger courses. When they shared their experiences, we could understand much better. We were able to carry all those experiences into our training, which allowed us to perform better."

They would definitely know what they are talking about. The Army's 1 CDO received its 28th Best Combat Unit accolade and 11th consecutive win this year. Maintaining its winning streak is no mean feat, and the new generation is feeling the pressure. But for these Commandos, pressure only serves to motivate them.

"There's no complacency," said Company Sergeant Major 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) Lim Jie Hui. "We are not here for the Best Combat Unit (award), but to be operationally ready."

Ever ready

Operational readiness is the key focus of all the winning units, including the Republic of Singapore Navy's Best Ship, RSS Formidable.

To keep themselves on their toes, the crew views training with utmost importance. As Weapons Systems Operator Military Expert 1 (ME1) Barath S/O Selvaramah said, "Each time we train, we don't treat it like a drill. We treat it like real ops."

CO LTC Ong Chee Wei attested to the work ethics of his crew: "On the frigate, we really train to fight. They (the crew) know they have to achieve (and) demand very high standards. When you go out to fight, make sure you win. When you call upon us, we are always ready."

RSS Formidable led Exercise Bersama Lima, under the umbrella of the Five Power Defence Arrangements - whose member countries are Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom - after HMS Daring of the United Kingdom left to assist Typhoon Haiyan victims in November 2013.

The competency in warfare proficiency and the strong RSS Formidable culture are an unbeatable combination. Summing up their secret to success, Coxswain ME3-3 Chua Chwee Huat said: "It's not only about individual competency, but also about individuals working together as a team. (To keep ourselves updated,) we meet with the officers every month to discuss our training and objectives."

He added: "On RSS Formidable, what we want is to maintain high standards. We don't compromise on our standards or safety. (I believe) this is one of the factors that contributed to the ship's win."