SAF Personnel Honoured for Contributions to Counter-ISIS and Disaster Relief 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 95 personnel at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence this afternoon – 68 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 27 medals were awarded in recognition of contributions to support the Indonesian Government's disaster relief efforts in Palu, Indonesia, following the earthquake and tsunami on 28 Sep 2018.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Dr Ng commended the SAF personnel for their professionalism and contributions to the operations, and also acknowledged the commendations received from coalition partners. He said, "You represented Singapore and the SAF proudly, flew our flag high through your professionalism and conduct, and fulfilled missions under trying circumstances. As a result, you garnered praise from other militaries… You also got gratitude from the people you helped directly and from the local governments there". Dr Ng added, "The SAF is a relatively small-sized military but it is in Singapore's interest to do our part to deal with this global security challenge posed by terrorism. Because against both Al Qaeda and ISIS, it was the international coalition working closely together that thwarted the terrorist plots and averted many potential threats and injuries, whether in the Middle East or in our region including Singapore…Your contributions there protected Singaporeans here and citizens everywhere."

Since 2014, in support of the multinational coalition to defeat ISIS, the SAF has deployed Medical Teams, Imagery Analysis Teams, Intelligence Fusion Officers and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) KC-135R tanker aircraft. The most recent SAF contributions were the three rotations of the Counter-Terrorism Training Unit deployed to train Iraqi Security Forces to counter improvised explosive devices, and impart skills in tactical weapons and combat tactics.

Recipients of the OSM also included personnel from the RSAF who were deployed to Indonesia to support the Indonesian Government's disaster relief efforts, following the earthquake and tsunami on 28 Sep 2018. The SAF was the first foreign military to arrive in Palu on 2 Oct 2018, with two RSAF C-130 transport aircraft carrying critical humanitarian aid supplies like medicine, portable shelters and food to Sulawesi. The team continued to provide assistance in-theatre until late November, contributing to the much-needed air movement capability to support the disaster relief efforts and to evacuate those displaced from the disaster-hit areas. The RSAF personnel were in Palu from 2 to 26 Oct 2018 and from 21 to 28 Nov 2018.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Chief of Army Major-General Goh Si Hou, Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Khong, and senior SAF officers as well as family members of the OSM recipients were also present at the ceremony.

Dr Ng presenting the Overseas Service Medal to Major (MAJ) Jason Chai.

An SAF Serviceman from the Counter-Terrorism Training Unit guiding a soldier from the Iraqi Security Forces during small arms training.

RSAF servicemen evacuating displaced personnel out of affected area in support of the disaster relief efforts in Palu, Indonesia.

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