US Chief of Naval Operations Receives Prestigious Military Award

13 May 2013

The US Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Jonathan William Greenert inspecting the Guard of Honour at MINDEF.

The Chief of Naval Operations of the United States Navy (USN), Admiral (ADM) Jonathan William Greenert, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military)] by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon.

The Meritorious Service Medal (Military) was awarded to ADM Greenert in recognition of his invaluable contributions in enhancing and expanding the excellent ties between the USN and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Under ADM Greenert's leadership, professional interactions between the two navies have grown significantly in both scope and depth. For example, through the bilateral Co-operation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises and the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the USN and RSN continue to engage each other in high-end warfare training and missile firings. Both navies also interact regularly through other exercises, ship visits, technology collaboration and cross-attendance of courses, and at multilateral fora such as the Western Pacific Naval Symposium and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. Such interactions provide mutual professional benefits and strengthen interoperability and understanding between the two navies.

Following the award ceremony, ADM Greenert said, "It is truly an honour to receive this award from the Singapore Ministry of Defence. We have a strong and growing defence relationship with Singapore, as well as an excellent relationship with the Republic of Singapore Navy. I look forward to continuing this partnership as our navies participate in increasingly complex and comprehensive exercises and exchanges."

ADM Greenert also called on Chief of Defence Force Major-General Ng Chee Meng and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng before the investiture, and inspected a Guard of Honour. ADM Greenert will also visit the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference while in Singapore. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen congratulating US Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jonathan William Greenert after conferring the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) on him at MINDEF.