A SHOWCASE OF SAF'S OVERSEAS OPERATIONS

The first thing a visitor sees upon entering the Army Museum's exhibition gallery is a map of the world. About six metres in length and lit up at various spots, it shows the cites and countries where the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has been deployed at for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and United Nations missions.

The map is part of the SAF Overseas Operations exhibition, which showcases a selection of operations such as the first mission to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1970 and the recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq. The exhibition also features some of the servicemen and women who played a part in these operations through informational panels, videos and photographs.

Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Ravinder Singh, who viewed the exhibition on 6 Dec, said he hoped the exhibition would help servicemen and Singaporeans better appreciate the contributions of servicemen who help to maintain and keep peace all over the world.

He added: "I hope that it will inspire them to want to contribute to society... to do something for other countries and other people."

Spearheaded by the Army's manpower division, work on the exhibition begun in 2010 and Assistant Chief of General Staff (Personnel) Colonel Ang Heng, who heads the division, said: "The intent of the exhibition is to share the Army experience and highlight the contributions of our people in the Army."

He elaborated: "The exhibition also showcases the SAF as a responsible member of the international community and reinforces that our Army is a force that is ready, decisive and respected."

Military Expert (ME) 3 Subramanium Selvaraj is one of the six personnel featured in the exhibition. Walking through the exhibition, said the paramedic who has been involved in six overseas missions, brought back plenty of memories.

The 56-year-old who trains combat medics in his role as Officer Commanding of the Emergency Medical Technician course in the SAF Medical Training Institute said: "I train as hard as I can and keep myself operationally fit at all times such that the paramedic training I have received is better utilised when I'm on a mission."

Recounting his experiences at these deployments, the father of three who has been deployed to East Timor, Jakarta, and Afghanistan among other countries for overseas missions said: "When you have helped someone in their time of need, it leaves a mark on you that never goes away."

The SAF Overseas Operations exhibition is open to the public till 31 May 2012. More information is available at the Army Museum's website: www.armymuseum.gov.sg.