US, S'PORE ARMIES IN WAR GAME EXERCISE

All their gazes are fixed on the same electronic battlefield map bursting with military symbols. In their minds, they are busy pondering how best to place and advance their manoeuvre troops and artillery batteries, and where to deploy their reconnaissance teams.

These are decisions that have to be made with razor-sharp precision. A single miscalculation could mean many lives lost, or worse yet, losing the entire battle.

This was a typical scene at the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Wargame Centre in Pasir Laba Camp from 15 to 26 Jul, where soldiers from the Singapore and United States armies were having a command post exercise codenamed Tiger Balm.

This year's edition of the annual brigade-level command post exercise involved about 300 personnel from the 9th Singapore Division's 23rd Singapore Infantry Brigade (23 SIB), and the US Army s 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (201 BfSB), Hawaii Army National Guard, and US Army Pacific Command. This was the 32nd edition of the exercise since it started in 1981.

The bilateral exercise, which began in 1981, aims to enhance professional relationships, combat readiness, and cooperation between the SAF and the US Army Pacific.

As part of the war-gaming exercise, both armies conducted an urban operations exercise codenamed Lightning Strike at the Murai Urban Training Facility (MUTF).

A motorised infantry company from the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (SIR), joined forces with a Stryker platoon (from 2nd Infantry Division, US Army) to capture a town.

The Stryker platoon uses armoured vehicles to send its troops into battle.

Major-General (MG) Gary Hara, Deputy Commanding General for Army National Guards, US Army Pacific, who witnessed the exercise, was impressed with how both armies worked together to execute their mission successfully.

"The standard of the Singapore Army is very exceptional. We have learnt a lot from our engagement here every year, and that's why we considered this as one of the most important exercises in the Pacific. We want to maintain the partnership throughout as long as possible," said MG Hara.

Commenting on the command post exercise, MG Hara hoped to expand the scale of the exercise to a division-level exercise in the future, by tapping on a "live virtual construct system". The simulation system will enable soldiers back at home in the US (or in Singapore) to also join in the exercise, he explained.

At the closing ceremony of the exercise held at Pasir Laba Camp on 26 Jul, 23 SIB commander, Colonel (COL) Mohamad Fadzully Bin Abas, said: "This exercise has allowed both armed forces to interoperate and exchange battle strategies. The combat experience of our US counterparts has enhanced the level of realism in our training."

201 BfSB commander, COL Daniel Soller, added that his troops had accomplished their objectives of improving work processes at the command post and learnt to better operate together with their SAF counterparts.

He was also impressed by the SAF's professionalism and added: "We have made very good friends in Singapore."

Singapore's Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Mak Chee Yong and the US' Major (MAJ) Terrence Buckhalter are among the many soldiers who have forged deep friendships over the last 12 days.

They enjoyed working together and learning from each other in their joint appointment as Army Hi-Control Fire in the exercise.

LTC Mak said: "The US Army brings with them a wealth of knowledge that most of us are very eager to learn. Personally I have gained a lot from working with my US counterparts."

MAJ Buckhalter concurred: "The experience has been awesome. There's a lot of information sharing and learning on both ends, but the most important thing is the relationship and bonds we have built here."

For 2 SIR platoon commander 2nd Lieutenant David Hu, his most memorable experience of the exercise was hearing from the US soldiers their combat experience in Afghanistan.

"It has been a great experience to train alongside one of the world's most professional armies, and to hear from them how they fought under real fire in Afghanistan," he said.

"Their sharing made me realise the harsh realities of war and to be grateful for the peace we have here. We must always be ready; how well you fight is determined by how well you train and prepare."