The SAF's Best Units

22 Jun 1998

Introduced in 1969, the annual Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Best Unit Competition aims to enhance the combat and administrative effectiveness of participating Army, Air Force and Navy units through friendly competition. Such competition brings out the spirit of excellence in the SAF. The assessment factors of the competition are:

 Combat Proficiency Test

 Marksmanship Test

 Individual Physical Proficiency Test

 Standard Obstacle Course

 Unarmed Combat

 Security

 Manpower Matters

 Logistics Readiness Inspection

 Vehicle State

 Training Safety

The Army's First Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR), RSS Sea Lion, Missile Gunboat (MGB) from the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) 185 Squadron (Sqn) and 145 Sqn, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) A4-SU Super Skyhawk Sqn, excelled and clinched the Best Combat Unit, the Best Ship Award and the Best Fighter Squadron Awards respectively.

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THE ARMY

The coveted Best Combat Unit goes to 1 SIR this year. Commanded by Major (MAJ) Philip Lim, 1 SIR's main roles are to capture the enemy by means of fire and manoeuvre and to repel enemies' assault by fire, close combat and counterattack. The last time 1 SIR won this award was back in 1970.

Seven other Army units also received SAF Best Unit Awards in their respective arms. They are: • Best Support Unit 36th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (36 SCE) • Best Infantry Unit 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR) • Best Armour Unit 40th Battalion, Singapore Armour Regiment (40 SAR) • Best Artillery Unit 21st Battalion, Singapore Artillery (21 SA) • Best Engineer Unit 36th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (36 SCE) • Best Signal Unit 1st Signal Battalion (1 Sig) • Best Logistics Unit 9th Direct Support Medical Battalion (9 DSMB)

THE RSN

The RSN's RSS Sea Lion of 185 Squadron will proudly display the letter 'E' on her hull having clinched the Best Ship Award. The 'E' represents excellence which the crew has achieved and maintained throughout the year. All operational ships are assessed during regular inspections on the ships' proficiency in terms of administrative competence, operational readiness and their ability to fulfil given tasks and missions.

Commissioned in 1975, RSS Sea Lion, is one of the strike craft acquired by the RSN to patrol and protect Singapore's sea lines of communications. Although more than 20 years old, the MGB Sqn remains an effective fighting unit due to upgrades done over the years. Commanded by MAJ Chew Lock Pin, the 45 metres RSS Sea Lion has a crew of seven officers and 38 men. It is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. All MGBs are fitted with Harpoon and Gabriel anti-ship missiles, Mistral surface-to-air missiles, a 57mm Bofors gun and state-of-the-art command, control, communications and electronic warfare equipment.

Three other ships also received awards. They are: • Best Missile Corvette RSS Valiant • Best Landing Ship Tank RSS Perseverance • Best Mine Counter Measure Vessel RSS Punggol

THE RSAF

The RSAF's 145 Sqn, which operates the A4-SU Super Skyhawks has emerged as the Best Fighter Squadron this year. To clinch this award, the Sqn, led by Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Charles Sih, had to compete with other fighter squadrons in areas like mission readiness,

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The role of 145 Sqn is to perform strike missions. There are several forms of strike mission, for example, tactical air support; and counter air/ship operations. Tactical air support involves RSAF's participation in the ground or sea battle with the SAF ground forces or the RSN surface fleet. They perform as airborne firepower, supporting land or sea forces at decisive points of battle. Counter air/ship operations are attacks of surface targets beyond the battlefield. The strike mission targets the hostile force's supply lines and infrastructure.

Other Air Force units which received the SAF Best Unit awards are: • Best Tactical Support Squadron 122nd Squadron which operates the C-130 Hercules Transport Aircraft • Best Air Defence Artillery Unit 165th Squadron which operates the Rapier Surface-to-Air Missile System

As the Best Combat Unit, 1 SIR will be presented with the SAF Colours by President Ong Teng Cheong at the SAF Day Parade on 1 Jul at SAFTI Military Institute. The other SAF Best Unit winners will receive their awards from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Dr Tony Tan, during the parade.

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