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Our Army marked a key milestone in its Urban Operations (UO) training development on 10 January with the ground laying ceremony for its new urban training facility in Lim Chu Kang. The first of its kind in the region, the facility will be used for UO Training, live-firing exercises and to train for a full spectrum of operations.
In his speech, Commander 9th Singapore Division / Chief Infantry Officer, BG Chan Chun Sing, spoke on the need for the new urban training facility. He said, "Today, urbanisation in our landscape is something that we no longer can avoid. Urban Operations is no longer special or advanced operations, but part and parcel of our conventional operations. Our current training facilities for Urban Operations have limited capacities to handle integrated and combined arms missions. Hence, this project provides the first stage of a local facility to train and sustain our operational competencies in Urban Operations more effectively."
Realistic Training Environment for Urban Operations
The urban training facility, comprising approximately 200 buildings of different types, will be installed with instrumentation systems that are compatible with the existing Battlefield Instrumentation System and Tactical Engagement System. This will enable seamless tracking of the training troops, both outdoors and inside the buildings. Video monitoring systems will be put in place for observation and After-Action Reviews. Highly realistic training will also be made possible with the use of various simulation tools. They include simulated area weapons effects on buildings, laser 'shoot-backs' from the electronic targets, and battle noise effects.
WOSPECs Play Their Part
Playing a key role in the design of the urban training facility were 40 Warrant Officers and Specialists (WOSPECs) from various Formations, known as the Urban Operations Community of Practice (UO CoP). They drew up the floor plan for all the buildings in the urban training facility, and increased the training realism by paying attention to every detail. For example, there were sliding doors and windows for office buildings, and main gates for residential properties.
The UO CoP's origins can be traced to a core group of six WOSPECs who ran weekly at Bedok Reservoir. Through informal discussion, 9th Singapore Division/ HQ Infantry's SM, SWO Joseph Koa, suggested the setting up of the UO CoP. His work was cited by 2nd Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at last year's SAF Day Dinner for Warrant Officers. In his speech, Dr Ng said, "Warrant Officers are being empowered to exercise their leadership in ways that are greater than before. The job scope of the Warrant Officers has expanded and will continue to grow further with greater levels of responsibility and demands for innovation and thinking skills. You will be more involved in generating ideas and making independent decisions within your scope of work. The evolution from supporting to partnering the Officers Corps is also an ongoing shift in the mandate of the WOSPEC Corps. I admire the way in which the Corps has taken this on board."
The main coordinator for the UO CoP, MWO Neo Chee Wee, commented, "The WOSPECs' role in this project is quite significant. In partnership with the officers, we came up with the grand plan and implemented it on the ground. We also worked with the doctrine officers to establish the tactics, techniques and procedures for urban operations, in view of operational and safety considerations."
Indeed, this new urban training facility will be a key component to develop and train our new 3rd Generation Army, and will provide an effective platform for future trials and experimentations for further doctrine development in Urban Operations. The facility is expected to be completed in mid 2010.
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