Speech by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony

Chief of Defence Force,
Service Chiefs,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

This evening, we recognise the contributions of our Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) men and women who are protecting Singapore and Singaporeans through their efforts in dealing with terrorism at its source. These servicemen and women were deployed in the overseas operations to Qatar and Kuwait, against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Tonight, the Overseas Service Medal, which you will receive, reflects the mission accomplished during your tour with professionalism and high standards.

In the Face of Modern, Transnational Security Challenges

Like many militaries around the world, the battle against terrorists was not one that peace-seeking and law-abiding countries like ours sought but one that we knew we could not avoid, if we are to protect Singaporeans at home.

The SAF has been fighting counter-terrorism missions for a decade now. Ten years have passed. From 2007 to 2013, the SAF was deployed in Afghanistan against Al-Qaeda, one of our longest overseas deployments. Over the past four years, the SAF has joined coalition militaries to deal with ISIS. Our servicemen and women participated as Imagery Analysis Teams to the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF), the squadron supporting our KC-135R air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft for the coalition's air-to-air refuelling operations, and a medical task force, now in Iraq. You just think about it, in a flash, it has been a decade. I still remember when our battle against terrorism started. I was not in MINDEF yet. I remember, then-Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan saying, "The world has changed." He knew it from experience that the world has changed. As we ask ourselves how long this battle will take, we take reference from communism. Communism without God took 50 years to fight. This one, (will be) more troublesome. It has been 10 years. I do not know how long more we will battle it. It may be for a long time.

Whether against Al-Qaeda, ISIS or other similar groups that emerge in the future - ISIS is losing but it could be in Libya after that, it could be in Yemen, it could be a number of failed states. I think we will still be part of the multinational efforts because of the simple reason, unless the source of terrorism is neutralised at its beginnings, more and more Singaporeans and other residents, whether in Malaysia, Indonesia and other ASEAN countries will be radicalised. Now this is exactly what is happening. In the last one year, seven times more Singaporeans were radicalised than the previous period before that. The coalition efforts are winning, and many cities and thousands of square kilometres of land are now wrested back from ISIS. We just returned from a trip to Iraq and Syria and received briefings on them. They told us that only one major city remains under ISIS control. It is called Tal Afar, and the battle to re-take this city is expected to be swift and soon. In fact, it is progressing so much faster than they thought that now, they have to make plans for what happens after ISIS is neutralised.
 
We have to persist and continue these efforts to further weaken ISIS in Iraq and Syria. At the same time, the SAF will step up its vigilance and actions in our own backyard. We know of about 1,000 ISIS fighters and their family members from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore who are in the Middle East, some of whom will make their way home to continue their misguided mission of violence. In Indonesia, there have been at least five terrorist attacks and seven foiled plots since the start of 2017. In June 2017, Singapore detained two self-radicalised Singaporeans who were planning to travel to Syria to take part in the conflict there. Just last month too, we arrested two Singaporeans for terror-related activities, such as maintaining contact with foreign fighters in the Middle East; and some of you may have seen the video where a radicalised Singaporean was featured in ISIS' recruitment videos. 

Within the Philippines, the Abu Sayyaf Group and several others have known links to ISIS, and have staged coordinated attacks. An ISIS-affiliated group of Philippine extremists even managed to lay siege to parts of Marawi - a city of 200,000 people - and, for over four months, has resisted efforts by the Philippine Armed Forces to displace them. If ISIS entrenches itself in the Philippines, it will set up a base in our region to expand its influence rapidly and attack cities in ASEAN. Just as we deal with terrorism at source in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, we need to help our fellow ASEAN countries deal with terrorism and we do that because we want to protect Singaporeans here. This is why Singapore offered military assistance to the Philippine Armed Forces in their counter-terrorism efforts. 

Transnational Terrorist Threats Require a Transnational Solution

We deployed our C-130 transport aircraft for humanitarian supplies. We have offered a detachment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to the Philippines to enhance their intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. We have also offered to assist the Philippine Armed Forces in urban training, to help them build up their capabilities for counter-insurgency missions in urban built-up areas. Separately, we have offered the assistance of the Information Fusion Centre to the Trilateral Maritime Patrol between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. 

Commending the SAF's Operations in the Middle East

So tonight, recognise this - through your efforts, through your deployments there, the world we cherish is safer. The SAF has gained a reputation for being a valued contributor to the coalition. Your detachments won accolades from the US Central Command, the CJTF, as well as the United States Air Force's leadership. They were very impressed with your professional bearing in carrying out your duties, and we know that they value our contributions in the niche areas. Military leaders of other countries have thanked us and expressed respect for your professionalism and commitment. Most recently, Robert Cardillo, the US Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, wrote to our Detachment Commander with these words of appreciation: "… you provide a force-multiplier and show the entire team that there are always new and innovative ways to improve on our work."

The contributions by our KC-135R tanker squadron were also deeply appreciated by the coalition aircraft and this was during a crucial period leading up to the liberation of Mosul from ISIS in July 2017. As you know, Mosul is a key state in the Northern part of Iraq. The US Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend wrote a congratulatory note to the RSAF detachment for the role played in achieving the milestone.

You have done us proud, and reinforced Singapore as a valuable member in the global neighbourhood. 

These overseas operations have also provided the SAF an avenue to sharpen our capabilities and sharpen operational learning. Let us think about this. If we did not have a single overseas deployment and the rest of the world carried on, what would the SAF look like? It will be a very different SAF. We do not ask for these opportunities. We certainly are not sending our men and women to harm's way but if there is a need to protect Singapore and Singaporeans, we will do our best and at the same time, make sure that the SAF learns from these operations. Because these detachments with our coalition partners have allowed us to gain valuable operational insights, and we should apply the knowledge to counter-terrorism and peacetime contingency operations back home. So if we need imagery analysts, I know that we have people who have experience. I think for the KC-135R air-to-air refuelling, some of you can do it. It is almost routine and you can operate in very difficult circumstances. I know that our medical and surgical teams that were deployed in Afghanistan have a wealth of experience to share, and so on and so forth.

Conclusion

I am also glad to see your family members here with us today. To the cherished family members of our SAF men and women, I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to you. I know that you had to bear greater burden when your loved ones and spouses were away, and I want to thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement to our servicemen and women, because the fact that you took care of things here, allowed them to focus on their missions. You gave them a peace of mind knowing that everything at home is well taken care of.

To all 75 recipients of the Overseas Service Medal, this medal represents the nation's recognition of your professionalism, dedication and commitment to the peace and security of Singapore. May you continue to fly our nation's flag high. 

Once again, congratulations for a job well done. Thank you.

More Resources

75 SAF Personnel Honoured for Contributions to Counter-ISIS Operations