FIRST IN, LAST OUT AT EX WALLABY 2025

Firepower and action are probably what first come to mind when we think of military exercises. But behind the scenes, another “army” works tirelessly to support those at the front line

These unsung heroes take care of nearly everything – from providing daily necessities such as food and medication to ammunition for training, to handling logistical, maintenance and transportation support – so that training can proceed safely and effectively at Exercise Wallaby 2025 (XWB25). 

First on site, last to leave

The Forward Support Group’s (FSG’s) preparation for XWB started as far as one year ahead, said Military Expert (ME) 6 Jeremy Yee.

The 39-year-old Commanding Officer of 9th Army Maintenance Base is the commander of the FSG in this year’s exercise.

The daunting task they faced? Moving, supplying and maintaining up to 5,000 troops and 500 platforms throughout XWB25, which took place from 16 Oct to 2 Nov, at Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia.

For example, the FSG had to ensure that Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) vehicles and equipment were clean of possible contaminants, and work closely with the Australian authorities – such as the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – to pass strict inspections before they could be shipped into Australia. 

Laying the groundwork

The FSG is also often a common touchpoint, bridging between the many training and support units.

Supply Storeman Corporal First Class (CFC) Muhammad Firdaus Bin Mohamed Romzi provides logistical support to the training troops at XWB.

This includes seeing to their accommodation, equipping and meals, and ensuring that they are well-supplied to focus on their training.

“(The experience is) challenging and exciting (because) we need to communicate with multiple entities,” said the 22-year-old Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) from the Army’s Headquarters Operations Support.

After almost three months at SWBTA, he has now learnt “the art of communication and coordination (as well as) accountability and preparation, no matter if it’s a small move or a big delivery”. 

ME6 Yee and the FSG know their mission is of great importance – laying the groundwork and handling the background support allow the SAF to focus on its training objectives during the exercise.

“Every minute saved for our troops in our processes will mean that valuable training hours are returned to the soldiers.” 

Ammunition automated

For any large-scale exercise – especially one that runs over a few months – ensuring the availability of safe and reliable ammunition is a must.

This is where ME4 Clarence Ong, the Ammunition Lead for XWB25, and his team from the SAF Ammunition Centre (SAFAC) come in.

They have introduced two digitalised systems – the Mobile Rounds Accounting Xpress (mRAX), and Enterprise System Logs Mobile-Ammunition Management (ESLM-AM) – at the exercise this year.

Both aim to reduce labour and hours required to account for expanded and unexpanded ammunition, while increasing accuracy and efficiency.

Keeping soldiers fighting fit

SWBTA’s dry and hot climate can be a challenge to troopers who spend long hours training outfield.

That’s why Medical Officers (MOs) like Captain (CPT) (Dr) Grace Ho keep a keen eye out for soldiers suffering from heat injuries.

To treat heat exhaustion, portable bathtubs for cold water immersion were set up at Camp Tilpal’s medical centre. Advisories were also regularly issued to protect soldiers from haze.

CPT (Dr) Ho (left), 26, and Corporal (CPL) Ammar, 21, take care of soldiers at Camp Tilpal’s medical centre. 

An upgrade at the medical centre this year is the portable X-ray machine, which allows MOs and medics to assess patients on site and administer the right treatment quickly

This effectively cuts down time and manpower, as injured servicemen no longer have to be transported 1.5 hours to Rockhampton hospital for assessment.

Said CPT (Dr) Ho: “(The X-ray machine) has reduced the number of send-outs required… (For example,) since we can now diagnose fractures here, we don’t need to send every single patient (suspected to have a fracture) to the nearest hospital.”

Keeping things under control

Major (MAJ) Shawn Lim and his team from the Control Hub are the ones keeping a watchful eye on all the training that takes place in SWBTA.

This ranges from tracking and having oversight of all unit activities within the area, to monitoring weather and fire risk patterns, so that exercise participants can complete their training safely.

“(Shoalwater Bay is) a vast, remote and rugged training area about five times the size of Singapore – the terrain, weather, and distance from urban support means that everything must be planned and synchronised,” said the 38-year-old Head of Control of Training at XWB.

To ensure safety, personnel must adhere to strict timeframes for entering and exiting areas of operations, and last-minute changes to movement is prohibited.

While there are challenges to operating in SWBTA, MAJ Lim noted that “ultimately, these challenges are what makes XWB so valuable”.

“(They allow the SAF) to test our systems, our resilience and our teamwork in realistic conditions, and to strengthen our ability to operate confidently anywhere under any conditions.”