19 Apr 2007 | OPS & TRAINING
SUBMARINERS LEAVE FOR TRAINING IN SWEDEN
STORY // Gail Wan
PHOTO // Roy Lim
PHOTO // Roy Lim
Thirty Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) personnel have left for Sweden for a two-year training stint to prepare them for operating the Vastergotland submarines - the Navy's latest acquisition.
The Navy announced this acquisition in November 2005 and now, just 17 months later, the first of two Vastergotland crews will be embarking on training, which will be conducted by the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN).
Formed in December last year, the first Vastergotland crew comprises personnel who are new to submarines, as well as experienced ones who had previously served on the Challenger-class submarines.
They were put through intensive shore training exercises in the Submarine Steering and Diving Trainer, Passive Sonar Trainer and Full Mission Ship-handling.
In addition, they have also sailed for sea sorties on the Challenger-class submarines to gain sailing experience and to learn how to work as a team.
Commanding Officer Major (MAJ) Jack Nyeo, who will be training in Sweden for the second time, said: "I think there will be a steeper learning curve this time, as we want to achieve more, and at a higher level." Newly-trained Sonar Operator First Sergeant (1SG) Logesh s/o Sockalingam, who used to be a gunner on a Mine Countermeasure Vessel, had to go through a series of tests from last January, before he was selected as a Vastergotland crew member.
"I am very honoured to be selected and proud that I will be able to help bring this new capability back to Singapore," said 1SG Logesh.
"I hope to learn as much as I can from the Royal Swedish Navy."
His wife, Chandar Prabar Rai, who will be accompanying him to Sweden, has also been "learning" more about his new job.
"Initially, I was quite afraid of his vocation with the submarines because he had to be underwater all the time. But after watching the presentation today, I feel more relieved, knowing that there are many safety measures in place," she said.
"So now, I am looking forward to the weather in Sweden and experiencing a totally new culture!"
The RSwN provided Challenger-class submarine training for RSN personnel in 1996.
The Challenger-class submarines have allowed the RSN to understand submarine operations better, and have added a new dimension to the Navy's operational capabilities.
The Navy announced this acquisition in November 2005 and now, just 17 months later, the first of two Vastergotland crews will be embarking on training, which will be conducted by the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN).
Formed in December last year, the first Vastergotland crew comprises personnel who are new to submarines, as well as experienced ones who had previously served on the Challenger-class submarines.
They were put through intensive shore training exercises in the Submarine Steering and Diving Trainer, Passive Sonar Trainer and Full Mission Ship-handling.
In addition, they have also sailed for sea sorties on the Challenger-class submarines to gain sailing experience and to learn how to work as a team.
Commanding Officer Major (MAJ) Jack Nyeo, who will be training in Sweden for the second time, said: "I think there will be a steeper learning curve this time, as we want to achieve more, and at a higher level." Newly-trained Sonar Operator First Sergeant (1SG) Logesh s/o Sockalingam, who used to be a gunner on a Mine Countermeasure Vessel, had to go through a series of tests from last January, before he was selected as a Vastergotland crew member.
"I am very honoured to be selected and proud that I will be able to help bring this new capability back to Singapore," said 1SG Logesh.
"I hope to learn as much as I can from the Royal Swedish Navy."
His wife, Chandar Prabar Rai, who will be accompanying him to Sweden, has also been "learning" more about his new job.
"Initially, I was quite afraid of his vocation with the submarines because he had to be underwater all the time. But after watching the presentation today, I feel more relieved, knowing that there are many safety measures in place," she said.
"So now, I am looking forward to the weather in Sweden and experiencing a totally new culture!"
The RSwN provided Challenger-class submarine training for RSN personnel in 1996.
The Challenger-class submarines have allowed the RSN to understand submarine operations better, and have added a new dimension to the Navy's operational capabilities.
