DR NG VISITS SAF IMAGERY SUPPORT GROUP

Nobody likes going into any situation blind. For example, a military force delivering aid in the aftermath of natural disasters must have the latest information on the lay of the land in order to provide assistance safely and swiftly.

That is one of the key reasons the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has the Imagery Support Group (ISG): To help shine a path where there seems to be none.

This capability was highlighted during Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen's visits to the Formation located in Paya Lebar Air Base on 21 Oct.

During the visit, he toured the SAF Mapping Unit - one of the three units under the ISG - where he was briefed on the tedious process of map-making and imagery reports.

The ISG plays a critical role when the SAF prepares itself for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan which struck the Philippines in 2013, the unit was tasked to find access areas for SAF aid missions.

For Military Expert (ME) 5-1 Lilian Ong, that meant pulling an all-nighter confirming things like which runways were down and which roads were damaged. "Leading a team of about 10, we collected the images and did the analysis (to point out areas which the SAF could access the disaster zone) over one night." The 35-year-old is Head Operations at the SAF Mapping Unit.

Their work eventually led to the Republic of Singapore Air Force deploying C-130 transport utility aircraft, carrying relief supplies, to the hardest-hit Visayas region. The aircraft also helped to evacuate survivors. The SAF was one of the first responders in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

"We have been supporting HADR efforts since 2004. The first was the mission to Meulaboh in Aceh, Indonesia (following the Boxing Day tsunami)," said Military Expert (ME) 6-2 See Kim Hong. He heads the SAF Mapping Unit.

The devastating impact of the tsunami meant that many roads were impassable. Other physical infrastructure, such as medical facilities, were also obliterated.

"We have provided information for decision makers in the SAF to plan and make informed decisions (as to) what kind of assistance to offer," said ME6-2 See.

The ISG also sent Imagery Analysis Teams (IATs) to support the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. They provided imagery interpretation and analysis support for the multinational troops operating in Oruzgan, Afghanistan.

One of the IATs helped to discover a cache of weapons hidden by insurgents after surveilling a suspicious compound for five days.

These capabilities fall under the ISG's Imagery Analysis Centre which brings the SAF's imagery analysis capabilities under one roof. It analyses commercial satellite imagery to support the SAF's training, peace support and HADR operations.

Apart from supporting HADR operations, the ISG also provides information to the Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre. It also looks out for the safety of SAF men and women overseas through the ISG's Open Source Centre (OSC).

The OSC monitors global news and information related to military and security developments. It also keeps an eye on natural disasters in the region using open source information on print, television and online news.

Last week, the OSC team watched Typhoon Hudhud closely as it unfolded over India, because the SAF has a deployment there. It is a 12-hour cycle at the OSC which sends its reports to the highest SAF leadership twice daily, 24/7.

"We look out for things that affect the safety and training of our SAF troops. We track news reports for data such as when the typhoon will hit land, whether it is in the area where SAF troops are, so as to gain a more complete picture," said Private (PTE) Josiah Tan, an Operations Assistant at the OSC.

The 19-year-old Full-Time National Serviceman was born deaf and did not have to serve National Service. However, he successfully appealed and ended up at the OSC after his Basic Military Training.

"I felt that I could serve and do as good a job as anyone else," explained PTE Tan.

"Since the law requires all young men to serve, though I was technically exempted, I thought I should follow the spirit rather than the letter of the law."

"I'm glad I did - it's meaningful because I get to see how the work I do affects the SAF and potentially save lives."