SINGAPORE HOSTS FPDA EXERCISE

Singapore is hosting a major Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) joint exercise involving air, land and maritime forces from member countries, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Codenamed Bersama Lima, this year's exercise sees 240 personnel, 19 ships, 59 aircraft, one submarine and various support elements from the FPDA nations taking part in the exercise from 5 to 23 Oct. The participants will undergo a shore phase exercise before executing the planned manoeuvre serials in the South China Sea.

For the first time, a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief table-top exercise will be included as part of the FPDA's capacity-building efforts in non-conventional operations. It is also the first time that an FPDA exercise is directed from the Multinational Operations and Exercises Centre (MOEC) in the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) Changi Command and Control Centre.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Exercise Bersama Lima 2009 on 9 Oct, Singapore's Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Desmond Kuek, said: "The expanding scope and complexity of the Bersama series of exercises over the years reflect the ability of the FPDA to adapt, and remain relevant, in the face of an ever-changing and evolving regional security environment."

"Beyond traditional security threats, these exercises have enhanced the capacity of our armed forces to deal with a wide spectrum of operations other than war."

Exercise Bersama Lima aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding among the armed forces of member nations, and also serves as a platform to promote regional peace and stability by strengthening the FPDA's ability in dealing with the security challenges facing the region.

The exercise is also about fostering friendship. For Deputy Chief Exercise Controller, Wing Commander (WCDR) David Middleton of the Royal Air Force and Chief of Staff to Exercise Director, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Thng Chee Meng from the Republic of Singapore Navy, who are working together in the exercise for the second time, Bersama Lima has a special significance.

Said WCDR Middleton: "We plan the exercises together, we put in a lot of hard work to make this exercise work. And to share that friendship, to achieve success in business, to have meals together, to enjoy time-out together - it has been thoroughly rewarding."

Sharing his sentiments is LTC Thng: "Through the years that we have conducted this exercise, we have forged a good level of understanding as professionals and have also become friends. This enables us to work even better together."