TOUGH AS STEEL: 40 SAR GEARS UP FOR FIRST BATTALION MISSION EXERCISE
What does victory smell like? Hot metal burning in the sun, sweat, rain, wet mud. This is 40th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment's (40 SAR's) Battalion Mission Exercise.//Story by BENITA TEO //Photos by PIONEER PHOTOGRAPHERS
For four days from 7 to 10 Dec 2020, man and machine battled it out in the field as the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and armoured infantry soldiers of 40 SAR underwent their Battalion Mission Exercise (BME).
This is the first time they operated alongside the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tanks and Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carriers as part of battalion integration training. The BME prepares the battalion for their upcoming Army Training Evaluation Centre (ATEC) evaluation later this year.
Join the battalion at its first-ever BME!
During the BOS drill, 2SG Hong and CFC Tock discover a worn-out sprocket in the Bionix's track. They call for technician 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Rayner Callistus Ramraj (far left) from 1st Army Maintenance Base, who guides them through the steps of replacing the sprocket safely.
During maintenance, the most senior technician on the ground will take the lead, regardless of rank or appointment. 3SG Rayner, 21, explained: "This is because we are the subject matter experts. Even if someone of a higher rank or appointment is with us, if we see that his or her recommendation is unsuitable, we are authorised to point it out."
Conducting officers and trainers – led by Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ho Pek Zhong (standing, fourth from left), Commanding Officer of the Active Unit Training Centre (AUTC) – are up in the wee hours of 8 Dec 2020 for a final safety table-top exercise (TTX) while the troops rest.
They go through the battalion's mission plan to familiarise themselves with the movements of every troop and vehicle involved in the exercise; identify the no-go criteria (safety issues that will require the exercise or participants to come to a complete stop) and safety hazards; and discuss procedures and measures to prevent potential safety incidents during training.
They also zero in on the specific roles and responsibilities of each key appointment holder in guiding the participants and ensuring the safe conduct of each mission. With them is Commander 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade Colonel Cai Dexian (standing, third from left), the supervising officer for the conduct of 40 SAR's BME.
Safety first: Before setting off, the Bionix crew will perform a final round of "COE", or Comms check, Overturning and E-stop drills, as part of safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Here, they are going through the overturning drill, which helps them to revise and remember the steps to take during emergencies and to remain safe, especially when fatigue sets in.
Leading the pack, a Leopard tank takes out the enemy at a "minefield" – an obstacle set up by the Opposing Force (OPFOR) to slow the advance of the attacking forces.
Only after the obstacle has been cleared and the hiding enemies neutralised is the way paved for the Bionix IFVs to pass through safely.
Machine Gun Gunner and rear guide CFC Mohamed Fadhil Bin Mohamed Sahid guiding the operator to reverse the Bionix safely.
"There was a lot of movement from the troopers. I have to make sure that when the vehicle moves or manoeuvres, no one is standing in any dangerous position. There are also a lot of vehicles around, so I have to ensure that we maintain a safety distance (of 30m) between vehicles," said the 21-year-old.
During the reverse drill, the Rear Guide is responsible for directing the operator, and provides an extra pair of eyes to spot potential hazards. The Bionix is also equipped with a rear-view camera (pictured, bottom left), which enhances the operator's overall situational awareness when reversing.
Captain Tan Yi Ming, 30, an AUTC Company Trainer, keeping track of the company's progress during the BME by maintaining close contact with trainers on the ground.
"I take note of the critical safety points where accidents could occur, and remind my trainers to pay attention to things like hazards on the ground, how well the troops perform their day-to-night transition, and other safety concerns."
"I'm very proud of the soldiers. They responded well to the harsh outfield conditions and displayed a lot of fighting spirit and determination. Despite the complexity of a battalion mission exercise, every soldier played his or her role and ensured that training was conducted safely," said LTC Alvin Chan, CO of 40 SAR, of the battalion's very first BME.
Extensive preparation, which included progressive training and detailed mission planning, was also key to the successful integrated mission, added the 33-year-old.
"The battalion is progressing towards ATEC evaluation, and this exercise gave us confidence that we're on the right track."
