NEW CHIEF ENGINEER OFFICER TAKES THE HELM

Colonel (COL) Tan Pek Tong took over as the Chief Engineer Officer from COL Alvin Kek at a change of command ceremony held at Nee Soon Camp on 29 Jan.

In his farewell speech, COL Kek expressed his gratitude to all Formation members for their guidance and support and expressed full confidence in his successor's leadership skills: "With his abilities, I am certain that he will bring the Engineers even further. And with his open and down-to-earth character, I am sure that the Formation will be even more closely bonded."

COL Kek was enlisted on 18 Dec 1985 and given the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Local Training Award. He graduated with a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from the National University of Singapore in 1991.

He has held the appointment of Chief Engineer Officer since 23 Oct 2009. Under his leadership, the Engineer Formation achieved and operationalised many new capabilities and platforms such as the Leopard 2 Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge and Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, and successfully organised the National Day Parade in 2011.

In recognition of his contributions, COL Kek was awarded the Public Administration Medal - Bronze (Military) in 2009 and the State Medal for 25 years service in 2011.

Incoming commander COL Tan was awarded the Academic Training Award when he enlisted on 17 Dec 1985.

Prior to his appointment as the Chief, COL Tan was Commander Army Combat Engineers Group. He has held various command and staff appointments, such as Head of General Staff Branch in HQ Singapore Combat Engineers and a Branch Head in Joint Operations Department. He was also Deputy Director of Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Public Affairs.

For his contributions to the SAF, COL Tan was awarded the SAF Good Conduct and Long Service Medal for 20 years and the State Commendation Medal (Military), both in 2008.

The ceremony was witnessed by Chief of Army, Major General (MG) Ravinder Singh and senior SAF officers.