FIRSTS AT EXERCISE WALLABY 2024
The biggest iteration of the SAF's largest unilateral overseas exercise also marks the debut of several new assets and training models.//STORY BY Joshua de Souza //PHOTOS BY Chai Sian Liang
Reporting from QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
It’s the biggest and longest exercise in its series to date.
Extended from six to nine weeks, Exercise Wallaby 2024 (XWB24) will give about 6,200 SAF personnel across the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) training in the vast space at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).
XWB24 – which is held from 8 Sep to 3 Nov – will give an estimated 490 platforms from the three services the opportunity to exercise its full range of capabilities and conduct cross-service integrated training.
And for the first time, making their debut in the exercise are the RSAF’s H225M Medium Lift helicopter and the ground-based air defence system surface-to-air Python-5 and Derby (SPYDER), as well as the Army’s Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV).
Here are some of the highlights as the first of three training frames concluded just this week.
The H225M Medium Lift helicopter firing its flares. This marks the aircraft’s inaugural participation in XWB since it was declared full operational capability earlier in April.
Operating on the H225M Medium Lift helicopter is Staff Sergeant (SSG) Rachel Rodrigues, the first female Air Crew Specialist. XWB24 is also significant to her, as the 27-year-old will be getting her gunnery qualification to fire the H225M side-mounted machine gun.
"I'm glad that I'm able to work closely together with the other helicopter platforms such as CH-47F Chinook and AH-64D Apache, so that we can maximise our training potential and push boundaries," said SSG Rodrigues.
The H225M (far right), AH-64D (middle) and CH-47F (foreground) in a Helicopter Composite Force Operation. The multi-platform formation allows the RSAF to undertake more complex missions and enhances training realism.
"I feel honoured to be part of the first crew to bring the H225M here to XWB," said Captain Tommy Lim. The 29-year-old is a H225M pilot.
"Coming (to XWB) really gives us flexibility to manoeuvre in a vast airspace and push the aircraft to its limits."
The Hunter AFV in convoy movement at SWBTA.
The Leopard 2SG driving in convoy movement with the Hunter AFV (not in picture) as part of their cross-platform integrated training.
The Hunter AFVs alongside Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank and other armoured platforms from the 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade (8 SAB). XWB24 saw a cross-platform integration among the assets, training their ability to fight as a Mechanised Combined Arms Brigade.
Dismounted troops from the Hunter AFV walking to their live firing training at SWBTA.
Soldiers loading the Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) onto the Hunter AFV for their first live-firing at XWB.
The Hunter AFVs lined up as they prepare for their live firing training.
Whoosh! The ATGM being fired at SWBTA.
3rd Sergeant (3SG) Ryan Chia from the 38th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineer (38 SCE) supervising the operation of the Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge (AVLB), used in bridging mission.
“I appreciated being able to operate with other units in a closed terrain environment at SWBTA. This helped me sharpen my platform-specific competencies in the combined arms effort,” said the 20-year-old AVLB Commander.
A serviceman from the 3 Divisional Air Defence Artillery (3 DA Bn) deploying the SPYDER system. It is able to be deployed within 15 minutes with just a crew of four.
Watch out! The SPYDER in the fire-ready mode at XWB24.
Personnel from the 48th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR) servicing the Leopard 2SG after wrapping up their Field Training Exercise at XWB24.
A CH-47F Chinook flying against the sunset in Rockhampton, Australia.
An AH-64D pilot (left) and ground crew performing pre-flight serviceability checks on the aircraft at sunset.
