NAVAL DIVING UNIT CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Since it was formed in 1971, NDU has successfully completed numerous special operations – from search and recovery to counter-piracy and peace support overseas. Today, the unit continues to ramp up its capabilities so that it can carry on its mission of safeguarding Singapore.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen made this point at NDU's 50th anniversary parade, held at Sembawang Camp on 9 Dec.

"The Special Forces, or NDU equivalents in militaries around the World, form an elite group, often tasked to accomplish difficult missions which can even change the course of history," said Dr Ng on the importance of having a unit like NDU.

He added: "In every mission, NDU soldiers display the highest standards of professionalism and commitment."

Search and recovery operations

For example, when two cable cars plunged into the water after an oil rig struck the aerial ropeway in 1983, NDU swiftly deployed its naval divers for search and recovery operations late at night.

One of the naval divers who were involved in the operation was 3rd Sergeant (3SG) (Ret) Faustin Hogan.

He recalled diving down the murky water, to about a metre from the sea bed, to search for the sunken cable cars. Just as his oxygen supply ran low, he found a cable car. So he quickly tied a search line and sand bag to mark the location, then surfaced to the top.

Another pair of divers went down, followed the search line, and confirmed the presence of victims in the cable car. 3SG (Ret) Hogan and his buddy then went down again to retrieve the cable car and victims. Two were doctors, one a nurse and another a businessman, he recalled.

"They were quite young and had good jobs… It got me thinking — never take life for granted," said the 61-year-old.

International operations

In his address at the parade, Dr Ng also recounted the various international operations that NDU had undertaken. For example, from 2003 to 2008, NDU were among Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) forces deployed under Operation Blue Orchid for the reconstruction and stabilisation of Iraq.

The naval divers played a key role in safeguarding Iraq's lifeline, the Al Basra Oil Terminal, which was vulnerable to seaborne threats. They boarded dhows – traditional boats – as well as ultra-large carriers, and sometimes found illegal firearms.

Building capabilities

Dr Ng also highlighted how NDU has continued to build its capability in maritime security operations. For example, NDU has acquired a new fleet of Combatant Craft Large (CCL) for ferrying its troops for operations.

Equipped with a full suite of advanced remote-controlled weapons systems, and communication equipment, the CCL acts as a forward command and control centre to support ground forces in maritime counter-terrorism.

Restructuring

Besides introducing new equipment, NDU has undergone restructuring such as the inauguration of 180 Squadron (SQN) and the Special Boat Group into NDU, Dr Ng noted.

Formerly part of the Maritime Security Command, 180 Squadron comprises the Accompanying Sea Security Team (ASSeT), which are formed by personnel from the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Police Coast Guard. They board and conduct checks on merchant ships sailing through Singapore's waters.

On the other hand, the new Special Boat Group is responsible for all maritime specialised craft such as the CCL.

With the addition of 180 SQN and the Special Boat Group, the restructured NDU can now better support operations by SAF task forces such as the Maritime Security Task Force and Special Operations Task Force (SOTF).

Coming a long way

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Eddie Chua, Master Chief of NDU, recalled that in the early days, NDU conducted only search operations and ship husbandry (general maintenance and upkeep). But today, the unit carries out a range of operations including counter-terrorism.

The Navy veteran, who has served 34 years in NDU, attributed NDU's continued success over the decades to its people. "NDU is what it is today, able to conduct maritime special operations, because of our people – the backbone of NDU."

The 53-year-old was part of the pioneer batch of full-time national serviceman divers in NDU. He likened it to a trial which laid the foundation for NDU to grow its capabilities over the decades.

One of the challenges faced back then, he recalled, was that NDU did not have any experience to conduct training for special operations. So NDU personnel were sent to undergo overseas training such as the United States Navy SEAL Course, rated as the best in the world.

"We gained a lot of experience from there," said MWO Chua, who went on to become a Regular in NDU.

And when NDU joined the Commando Formation to form the SOTF in 2009, it marked a significant milestone for Rear-Admiral (RADM) (Ret) Tan Wee Beng, who was commander of NDU from 2000 to 2003.

The SOTF brings together elite soldiers from NDU and Commando Formation to carry out complex missions such as neutralising terrorists and hostage rescue.

Even before the SOTF was formed, NDU had been the maritime special force for the Navy and SAF for years, noted RADM (Ret) Tan.

On why NDU is able to carry out complex operations, the 56-year-old said: "It is because NDU produces teams of combat divers who are trained to handle the most complex, intense, and chaotic scenarios — and to overcome what we call the unknown unknowns."