armywww.mindef.gov.sg/army newsIssue No. 194 November 2011 pulse of our army WOSpecs Going Places 2 Ex Daring Warrior 2011 Making of Army 3 Ops Diaries 12 armynews pulse of our army Prime Feature www.mindef.gov.sg/army Prime Feature WOSpecs Going Places Exercise Daring Warrior 2011 Story by Wee Hong Shin Photography by Vishnu Prem & Professional Development and Growth Honing our HIMARS Capability with the US Army Wee Hong Shin Story and photographs contributed by HQ Artillery Today's Warrant Officers and Specialists (WOSpecs) are entrusted with important respon- sibilities that go beyond enforcing regimentation and discipline. As guardian of soldiering Another SAF's contribution to ASNMAM was in the set- fundamentals, they are master trainers and commanders. In believing that “Every Soldier ting up of an ASNMAM Facebook page which serves as an is a Leader”, our Army provides various opportunities for the WOSpecs to develop them- invaluable tool in fostering friendships among the various del- selves professionally through training, overseas exercises and interaction. egates. SWO Ng explained, “The Facebook page has helped The Singapore delegation to ASNMAM to promote communication with each other. We’re getting to know the various Sergeant Majors as individuals.” In sum- ming up ASNMAM, SWO Ng said, “It was a great success as we were able to give generously and learn extensively. We look forward to attending next year’s ASNMAM which will be held in Brunei.” BG Lim, flanked by MG Halverson (to his right) and Chief of Artillery, COL Tan Chong Lee (to his left) in a group photograph HIMARS crew preparing the fire mission orders inside with the HIMARS crew and trainers the platoon command post The study team posing on top of a Leopard Main Battle Tank during their visit to Exercise Wallaby Learning from the Kiwis Army's assets included the HIMARS, PALADIN self-propelled Study Visit Down Under 1WO Collin Tang Seng howtizers, Ground Liaison and Targeting teams, and fighter The live-firing of the HIMARS is an awesome sight In October, a team of Sergeant Majors from our various The visit provided a rich and meaningful experience for the Chye, RSM of 11 C4I BN, aircraft. formations made a 1-week training visit to Exercise Wallaby team as summed up by 2WO Seah, “This trip has put me in a attended the New Zealand in Australia. There, they also visited the Australian Warrant better position to engage my men. I will take the lessons I’ve Defence Force (NZDF) Joint The exercise was witnessed by Commander, SAF Training Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer (WONCO) Academy. learnt and share them with my guys back in camp.” Warrant Officer’s Advanced and Doctrine Command, BG Lim Hock Yu and Commanding Course (JWOAC) conducted General of the US Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, MG Meeting of Sergeant Majors by the New Zealand Defence David Halverson. Highlighting the value of Exercise Daring Force Command and Staff Warrior, BG Lim said, “It provides an excellent opportunity for The inaugural ASEAN Sergeant Major Annual Meeting College (NZDF CSC) in the SAF to advance its capability development for the HIMARS (ASNMAM) held in West Java by the Indonesian Army from Trentham Millitary Camp, and to conduct air-land integration training. It also opens up a 25 to 28 October reflected the progress of the Warrant Officer Wellington from 1 August channel for professional exchanges of military knowledge and Corps within the SAF and neighbouring armies. This annual to 9 September. The 6-week operational experiences between the SAF and US Army.” MG gathering of Sergeant Majors will enable them to share and course, which trains par- Halverson added, “The exercise was a great environment for 1WO C ollin Tang Seng Chye HIMARS in convoy movement Simulator training was also conducted in Fort Sill as part of the prep training discuss their roles and challenges. ticipants for senior advisory the soldiers to operate in a joint training situation. As we work prior to the actual live-firing positions, gave 1WO Tang an in-depth understanding of NZDF From 21 October to 7 November, 234 SAF personnel participated together to develop proficiencies and certifications, we’re also as a dynamic force and the challenges it faces. It was very in a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live-firing exer- planning to take training to the next level. We have a great The visit to WONCO reflects the warm ties between the SAF and ADF useful to 1WO Tang as he explained, “The SAF and NZDF face cise, code-named Daring Warrior, held at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, USA. coalition team with the military forces of Singapore.” many similar challenges. Both forces stand to gain much from The participants were from HQ Singapore Artillery, HQ 3rd Division Team leader and mentor, SWO Raymond Tan, Division learning from each other. For example, there was a discussion Artillery, 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery, 11 C4I Battalion, and Sergeant Major of 2nd People's Defence Force, said, “With on how the NZDF has re-organised its forces. The NZDF also the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). this trip, we hope to show the younger WOSpecs how the 3rd had several take-aways from my sharing on the management Generation Army works, so that they can understand how of our NSmen.” the different formations support each other. We want to give them the confidence to progress in their Army career.” 1WO Tang was impressed by his NZDF counterparts' profi- ciency in force preparation and management of soldiers. “As The team was impressed by the professionalism and per- subject matter experts, it is easy for us to be pigeon-holed in formance of NSFs in the exercises. 2WO Seah Koon Meng, our respective professional knowledge. We must also try to RSM of 1st Transport Battalion, said, “I was impressed by their The inaugural ASNMAM provided a good opportunity for the participants to share on expand our horizon and be aware of the world developing their professional roles and challenges confidence and proficiency in executing their drills.” MSG O around us. As NZDF maintains a very high operational tempo, A joint meeting between US and SAF to share and discuss respective procedures and processes prior to the live-firing exercise Kah Tat was similarly impressed, “When I came back, I told my their warrant officers are very world-wise, experienced, and US and SAF HIMARS battery commanders discussing the ground operations NSFs that they have the potential to do so much more. I feel Led by SWO Ng Siak Ping, Division Sergeant Major 3rd show great maturity even among the junior ones. We can more aware and confident of their capabilities.” Singapore Division, the SAF delegation gave presentations, definitely learn from them." Exercise Daring Warrior 2011 is the second HIMARS live- which included their Four Key Thrusts, junior leadership devel- firing exercise conducted since the weapon platform was At the WONCO Academy, they learnt about the course cur- opment, and fostering of relationships among the various delivered to the SAF in July 2010. The last Exercise Daring riculum and assessment strategy of the Australian Defence ranks. These were warmly received as evident by the many BG Lim interacting with the US troops, accompanied by MG Halverson (behind) Warrior held in November 2010 also included a joint live- Force (ADF). They also shared with the ADF aspects of their questions posed by their foreign counterparts. In particular, firing exercise between the SAF and US Army. Training in the WOSpecs training. It was an indeed a fruitful visit as SWO Tan they were impressed by the openness of the partnership In conjunction with Exercise Daring Warrior, the SAF and the US has enabled the SAF to quickly build up its operational commented, “I can sense the professionalism of their war- between the SAF officers and WOSpecs. SWO Ng said, “During US Army also conducted a bilateral air-land integrated live-firing capabilities and readiness. It also facilitates sharing of knowl- rant officers who share the same fundamental values as us. bilateral exercises they witnessed the officers and us work- exercise, involving US personnel from the 214th Fires Brigade edge between the two armed forces. The American support We hope to establish a rapport of cross-learning and shar- ing together, and saw the autonomy entrusted to us. They’re Headquarters, as well as 1-14th and 2-5th Field Artillery. The 2-day for the SAF training in the US underscores the long-standing ing, maybe soldiers from both sides attending each other's impressed.” Another member of the SAF delegation, SWO bilateral exercise involved the SAF’s HIMARS, Apache AH-64D heli- and excellent defence relations between the two countries. courses.” The Australians, in turn, were impressed by the Devendran, formation SM for HQ Supply, added, “People are copters and STrike ObseRver Mission (STORM). The participating US evolving partnership that SAF WOSpecs share with the Officer always engaging us to find out more about our Army. I can’t 1WO Tang (fifth from right) on board an NZDF ship during An impressive sight of a HIMARS live-firing in the rain Corps, and the trust placed by the organisation on them. help but feel proud." the JWOAC study tour 2 November 2011 Issue No. 194 3 armynewsarmynewspulsepulse of of our our army army Features www.mindef.gov.sg/armywww.mindef.gov.sg/army Around Our Army SLTC (NS) Abu Bakar, P300 Commander 27th Singapore Infantry Brigade, agreed that P300 is an excellent initiative, “In Communication and Engagement the past, we did not have P300. Today, NS commanders have var- ious communication channels.