89 SAF Personnel Honoured for their Contributions to Counter-ISIS and Humanitarian Assistance Operations

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen delivering his speech at the Overseas Service Medal presentation ceremony held at MINDEF today.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Service Medal (OSM) to 89 personnel at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon – 18 medals were awarded to SAF personnel in recognition of their contributions to support the multinational coalition efforts to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the Middle East; and 71 medals were awarded in recognition of contributions to support the Australian Government's Bushfire relief efforts in 2020.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Dr Ng commended the SAF personnel for their dedication and commitment to the operations. He cited examples of how the deployed SAF troops made a difference, and shared that their contributions were appreciated and praised by international partners. He congratulated the recipients and said, "You flew the flag of Singapore high and never wavered. Your professionalism and discipline showed clearly, and you achieved mission success."

He highlighted that the SAF's counter-terrorism deployment to the Middle East has strengthened the SAF's capabilities to protect Singapore. He said, "We know the battle against terrorism is a long one, because fundamentally it is one against a false but seductive ideology, which preys on and exploits those vulnerable… But those 13 years in Afghanistan and Iraq, stemmed the rising tide of terror networks in our part of the World and gave time for the SAF to build up its capability here, even as you men and women were at the frontlines directly engaging with the enemy during your deployment there…your efforts there protected your loved ones and families, as well as all Singaporeans here."

Since 2014, the SAF has deployed Medical Teams, Counter Terrorism Training Units, Imagery Analysis Teams, Operations and Intelligence Planners and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) KC-135R tanker aircraft, in support of the multinational coalition to defeat ISIS.

Recipients of the OSM also included RSAF personnel from Oakey Detachment who were deployed to support the Australian Government's Bushfire relief efforts in 2020. 71 RSAF personnel and two CH-47 Chinook helicopters delivered close to 73 tons of firefighting equipment and relief supplies, and transported more than 260 emergency service personnel and evacuees. The team provided assistance and contributed to the much-needed air movement capability to support the relief efforts from 9 January to 6 February 2020.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Chief of Staff–General Staff Brigadier-General Frededrick Choo, Chief of Staff–Air Staff Brigadier-General Lau Boon Ping, and senior SAF officers as well as family members of the OSM recipients were also present at the ceremony, which was conducted with stringent safe management measures in place.

Dr Ng presenting the Overseas Service Medal to Military Expert 2 Gayathiri D/O R Thamilarasu, an Air Force Engineer involved in the Australia Bushfire relief efforts.

Dr Ng (middle right) with Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong (middle left) interacting with the award recipients following the award ceremony.

Personnel from Singapore Army supporting the multinational coalition efforts to the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Middle East.

71 Republic of Singapore Air Force personnel supported the Australia Government's Bushfire relief efforts in early 2020.

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Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony 2021