ALWAYS ON HIGH ALERT

21oct19pnr-photo0 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/21oct19pnr-photo01f56bdc8-32b2-40f4-9add-b5afad44945f.jpeg?sfvrsn=588ffbb4_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/ALWAYS-ON-HIGH-ALERT
ALWAYS ON HIGH ALERT https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/ALWAYS-ON-HIGH-ALERT
21 Oct 2019 | OPS & TRAINING

ALWAYS ON HIGH ALERT

// Story by Chia Chong Jin

// Photos by Chua Soon Lye & Robin Ng

An SPF Police Coast Guard vessel (foreground, left) intercepts a terrorist speedboat with the help of RSS Independence (background).
English Melayu

A small speedboat is seen charging towards Singapore and shows no signs of stopping. In no time at all, the island nation's security agencies come together and respond to this threat; quickly neutralising it.

This was one of the scenarios at this year's Exercise Highcrest that tested the Singapore Maritime Crisis Centre which coordinates and manages the whole-of-government response to such maritime security threats.

Held from 16 to 22 Oct, the exercise involved national agencies such as the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force.

See what went down at Exercise Highcrest in the following images!

Suggested Reading
INSPIRED TO LEAD, COMMITTED TO SERVE
PEOPLE
13 Sep 2025

Teamwork, discipline and resilience: These values were instilled in 2LT Nithira and 2LT Dylan Loo in sport and at school, and continue to guide them as newly minted SAF officers.

Cover story
EX FORGING SABRE RAMPS UP USE OF UNMANNED ASSETS IN INTEGRATED STRIKE OPERATIONS
OPS & TRAINING
12 Sep 2025

In this 10th edition of Exercise Forging Sabre, the SAF sharpened its cutting edge for the dynamic modern battlefield, with expanded integration between manned and unmanned platforms.

Feature
CHIEF, SAILOR, BROTHER
PEOPLE
03 Sep 2025

If the heart of a ship is its engine, then ME3 Malcolm Tan is the man who keeps its pulse healthy: he makes sure both vessel and crew are in top shape.

BACK FROM GAZA AID AIRDROP MISSION
OPS & TRAINING
02 Sep 2025

On 25 Aug, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft returned to Singapore after completing the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF’s) delivery of the ninth tranche of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This was also the second airdrop operation to send aid to the region.

Feature
MENTOR & ROLE MODEL
PEOPLE
01 Sep 2025

Seeing his trainees become stronger and more confident brings him joy in his work. Meet Air Warfare School instructor CPT Louis Lee.

Feature
SHAPING UP SOLDIERS
PEOPLE
29 Aug 2025

Guardsman 3WO Muhammad Aliff is passionate about making an impact on the growth and development of the soldiers under his charge.

Cover story
TRAINING WITH PURPOSE
PEOPLE
27 Aug 2025

MSG Nathanial Ng displays a quiet steely dedication towards imparting the right knowledge and skills to new Army Deployment Force (ADF) operators.

Cover story
OPERATING OVER SKIES & SEAS
TECHNOLOGY
22 Aug 2025

This gear is designed to help a Sensor Supervisor survive emergencies in the air and at sea.

BECOMING SPECIALIST LEADERS
PEOPLE
21 Aug 2025

3SG Defred Lau and 3SG Danish celebrate a milestone in their NS journeys as they earn their specialist ranks.

Cover story
Geared up against chemical threats
TECHNOLOGY
18 Aug 2025

How do our soldiers keep safe when rescuing casualties of chemical or biological weapons?