RECOGNISING SAF SERVICEMEN'S CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

Operating in multinational peace support missions is not without risks, but the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) ensures that its soldiers are well-prepared and able to handle any situation confidently.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean said this in a speech at the Overseas Service Medal (OSM) presentation ceremony on 3 Jun.

An extensive training programme was conducted for the the 39 servicemen who were deployed on a medical aid mission to a field hospital in the province of Oruzgan, Afghanistan, equipping the team with the necessary skills to handle the challenging security situation in the region.

This included arms practice to sharpen their marksmanship skills, briefings and lectures on recognising tell-tale signs of threats like Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), as well as additional first-aid training focusing on battle injuries. In addition, the medical team spent three weeks in the Netherlands training with the Dutch hospital staff they would be working with in Afghanistan.

The value of such training was evident when the medical team were able to perform their tasks effectively, despite facing risks such as rocket attacks, a common threat from insurgents in the volatile environment of Oruzgan province. During their six months of service from November 2008 to May this year, the team treated about 200 casualties, the majority of whom were Afghan civilians and troops, as well as International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) personnel, who were injured from rocket attacks.

"Given the increased rocket attacks in Afghanistan, we are prepared to deploy a Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) team to Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan province, to provide early warning of rocket attacks and enhance force protection measures of the ISAF personnel deployed in the base there. If the deployment of the radar is considered useful, the WLR detachment can be deployed for between nine and 12 months from the later part of this year," said Mr Teo at the OSM ceremony.

The Ministry of Defence had also previously announced plans to deploy a KC-135 tanker refuelling aircraft and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle task group in support of the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

"Singapore is committed to doing our part in international security operations... [and] multinational peace support initiatives will continue to be an important part of the SAF's operations," said Mr Teo.

This can be seen in the SAF's continued collaboration with the New Zealand Defence Force's Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan province. Besides providing medical support to the ISAF and Afghan troops in Oruzgan, Medical Officer MAJ (Dr) Adrian Tan and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Terence Yeo also conducted a medical training session with local healthcare personnel at the Regional Health Training Centre (RHTC), a facility built under the supervision of a construction engineering team from the SAF last year.

"Basically we focused on things like trauma management to help enhance their knowledge and proficiency in healthcare," shared SSG Yeo.

"The local doctors and nurses were very enthusiastic in learning from us, and extremely appreciative of our efforts."

A two-man Winter Deployment Team was also sent to Bamiyan last October, facilitating the delivery and distribution of over 300 tonnes of humanitarian aid donated by the SAF.

"We worked very closely with the local government officials to find out the needs of their people so that we could contribute better," said Captain (CPT) Teo Yong Kiong, who was among the 44 servicemen receiving the OSM.

"It's been a very positive learning experience, to actually see the difficult living conditions of a war-torn country, especially with the harsh conditions in winter which can go below sub-zero temperatures. Even though I missed my family, I'd definitely go for another deployment if given the chance again."

Missing family was also something which fellow medal recipient Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Fox shared. However, frequent internet communication allowed him to keep in touch with his wife and children during the six months he served as the Singapore National Liaison Officer in Kabul, Afghanistan, providing liaison support for all the SAF personnel deployed in Afghanistan.

"Working in a multinational environment at the ISAF Headquarters with representatives from 42 different countries, has taught me to adapt to different cultures and ways of doing things," he added.

"This experience is something you can't find in many other places, and I think it's the reason that many of us joined the SAF."

03 Jun 09 - SAF Personnel Honoured for Contributions in Afghanistan