2 PDF HQ RECONFIGURED AS ISLAND DEFENCE HQ
STORY // Felix Siew
PHOTOS // Chua Soon Lye
The security at Singapore's air transportation hub, port facilities and petrol chemical hub, has been beefed up, with Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers conducting foot and vehicular patrols, adopting protective positions and keeping watch from observation posts, at these civilian key installations.
Since 2001, the Army's 2nd People's Defence Force (2 PDF) Headquarters has been configured as the Island Defence Headquarters (IDHQ).
Working closely with Home Team agencies like the Singapore Police and Police Coast Guard, IDHQ's role is to monitor and respond decisively to security threats, particularly terrorist threats, to Singapore.
IDHQ maintains a round-the-clock national security picture, integrating the land, sea and air pictures with those provided by the Home Team agencies. It can also provide security support for high profile events taking place in Singapore.
In November last year, IDHQ's capabilities were enhanced with the introduction of the 6th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR), as the Army's first active Protection of Installation (POI) battalion.
6 SIR soldiers are now trained to perform a wide range of POI duties.
Their skills include area searches and bomb cordons, comprehensive knowledge of Rules of Engagement and the recognition of improvised explosive devices.
When the need arises, 6 SIR will be augmented by other forces like the SAF's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) Defence Group.
Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, was briefed on these roles and functions of IDHQ when he visited Jurong Island on 20 May.
He also witnessed a mock intrusion demonstration to see how the soldiers were able to respond quickly to threats.
The Minister was also introduced to some new equipment and procedures that IDHQ was currently experimenting with.
Speaking to the media after the demonstration, Mr Teo said such new ways of operating were part of the SAF's transformation efforts: "We are using new technologies, new operating doctrines, in order to make sure that we can apply these to this specific issue of countering terrorism.
"The threat from terrorism is a long-term one. What we need to do is to work together, the SAF together with the home team, in order to make sure that we can face this threat in the long term."
Island Defence Headquarters (IDHQ)
Mission:
To command, control and co-ordinate the defence of Singapore against conventional military attacks and Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) within the country. IDHQ will also provide assistance to the Ministry of Home Affairs against transnational terrorist threats and counter-LIC.
Roles:
Peacetime
- Trains and maintains operational readiness of the Command
- Helps to manage homeland security operations with the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Specialist HQ in developing doctrines and capabilities for POI
Period of tension/ war
- Serves as an extension of the Army for in-country operations
- Deployed for island defence
