NEW CHIEF FOR SAF COMMANDOS, SPECIAL OPERATIONS TASK FORCE
PHOTO // Simon Koh
More than 100 Commandos and troopers from the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) storming into the parade square. Men descending from buildings, tethered by their thin but strong ropes. Vehicles screeching in, tyre-smoke billowing as they corner aggressively. Within seconds, they are assembled at the parade square.
When you are a Commando or a Special Forces trooper, saying goodbye is an entire operation in itself.
This was the scene at a Change of Command Parade held at Hendon Camp on 11 Jul, witnessed by Chief of Army Major-General Ravinder Singh. In his last speech as Chief Commando Officer and Commander SOTF, Colonel (COL) Chiang Hock Woon paid tribute to the soldiers who had served with him.
He said: "All of you have given your best and many of you, the best years of your life, to this Formation."
"I am indeed humbled and grateful to be given this opportunity to serve alongside the finest soldiers, men and women of our Army," said COL Chiang who has spent more than 25 years with the Commandos.
He also had good words to say of the new Chief Commando Officer, COL Simon Lim, who comes into the appointment after a three-year stint as Commander Basic Military Training Centre. "With his experience and ability, I am sure he will take the Formation and SOTF to greater heights."
A Commando officer since 1989, COL Chiang has held many appointments in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). His previous appointments include Commanding Officer (CO) of the 1st Commando Battalion.
During his career, he has also commanded the 76th Singapore Infantry Brigade (SIB) and the Officer Cadet School (OCS), and held several senior staff appointments. In 2002, he was appointed Military Assistant to Force Commander of United Nations Mission of Support for East Timor (UNMISET).
As Commander OCS, COL Chiang led the LEARNet initiative as part of the SAF learning transformation. As Chief Commando Officer and Commander SOTF, he is credited for taking the formation to a new level of operational capability. He also strengthened ties with renowned foreign Special Forces outfits.
COL Lim joined the SAF in 1986 and became an officer a year later. His previous appointments include: CO 1st Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment, Branch Head, General Staff (Operations), and Commander Commando Training Institute.
