STRIKE SYMPHONY A SUCCESS AT EXERCISE FORGING SABRE 2009
PHOTO // Chua Soon Lye
Keen sensors and sharp shooters from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) worked together to take out simulated enemy targets as part of an integrated strike scenario at Exercise Forging Sabre 2009 on 17 Nov (US time).
As part of the scenario, sensors like the unmanned aerial vehicles and the Commando Lasing Team cooperated to provide shooters like the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and AH 64D Apache attack helicopters with fast and accurate intelligence on the possible whereabouts of enemy targets.
Upon confirmation, two F-16s were sent in to the area and each proceeded to drop a 2000-pound bomb, one after the other, on enemy targets identified by the sensors.
Following this, two Apaches swooped in with deadly accuracy and rained a torrent of rocket and gunfire on the fleeing enemy targets.
The lightning fast strike mission gave the opposition minimal opportunity to regroup and retaliate. To fully eliminate any possible threats posed by the remaining enemy forces, artillery assets like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) were activated to clear the site with rocket fire.
The detailed orchestration of the integrated strike was carried out by the Division Strike Centre and the Air-Land Tactical Control Centre to ensure mission success.
On site to witness the finale of Exercise Forging Sabre 2009 was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean. Mr Teo also went on a guided tour of Fort Sill where he visited SAF soldiers who were participating in the exercise.
One of the highlights of his visit was when he saw the SAF HIMARS and was briefed on its capabilities. The HIMARS is the latest addition to the 3rd Generation SAF's family of shooters.
A total of over 540 SAF servicemen are participating in Exercise Forging Sabre 2009, that is being held from 1 to 24 Nov. These include RSAF personnel from Peace Carvin, Peace Prairie and Peace Vanguard.
After witnessing the integrated live firing together with Mr Teo, Commanding General United States Fires Centre of Excellence and Fort Sill Major General (MG) David Halverson spoke of the enhanced capabilities and prowess of the SAF.
"It is apparent that the SAF has tremendous attack and defence capabilities as seen by the successful execution of the live firing exercise. I witnessed a world-class effort earlier with the complex coordination of the various land and air assets such as the F16s and the HIMARS," said MG Halverson.
When asked about the lessons garnered from Exercise Forging Sabre, MG Halverson said that the US Army could pick up a thing or two from the SAF following Exercise Forging Sabre.
"The SAF is very technologically advanced, especially in the area of virtual simulation. In the future, we too want to better harness the power of simulation so that we can use that to our advantage and cut down on the use of precious resources," said MG Halverson.
