Speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. Security is the bedrock of Singapore's survival, and the foundation of a successful and prosperous Singapore. The SAF provides this security, through an expanded spectrum of operations that includes contributing to international peace support missions. Today, we are living in an intimately inter-connected world. The security problems we face are highly complex and transnational in nature. Instability in one part of the world has far-reaching consequences in other regions. Concerted multinational cooperation is vital to ensure that the world is a safer place for countries who want to live in peace. Singapore is committed to doing our part in international security operations. Since 2007, we have deployed several SAF personnel to help in the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. A dental team and two construction engineering teams were deployed to Bamiyan province in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Deployment in Oruzgan More recently, two 20-man medical teams led by LTC Kevin Chin were deployed to Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan province for three months each from November 2008 to May 2009. Working together with a multinational team, our contingent provided medical and surgical support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), as well as emergency medical care for Afghan locals. This was a challenging and fulfilling deployment for our servicemen. Deployed with a Dutch hospital in Oruzgan, the team treated casualties from improvised explosive devices (IED) and rocket attacks. The procedures required complex and resource-intensive treatment. In total, over a period of 6 months, our team treated close to 200 casualties, most of whom were Afghan locals, including both civilians and military personnel, as well as coalition personnel who were injured in the base from rocket attacks. The SAF team also assisted in over 30 surgical operations. Deployments in Bamiyan The SAF also continued its work with the New Zealand Defence Force's Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan province. The SAF medical contingent contributed a three-man medical element, led by MAJ (Dr) Adrian Tan, to conduct a two-day medical training session at the Regional Health Training Centre in Bamiyan Province. This centre was built under the supervision of our engineering team last year. The training session focused on trauma management, so as to enhance the skills of local doctors and nurses in the province.

We also deployed a two-man Winter Deployment Team (WDT), comprising LTC Pang Chong Han and CPT Teo Yong Kiong, to Bamiyan from October 2008 to May 2009. The Winter Deployment Team facilitated the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid donated by the SAF. This included emergency medical supplies to the province, dictionaries to over 80 schools and the Bamiyan University, warm kits for 500 needy families, as well as flood protection humanitarian aid to over 300 families living in the rural areas. A total of over 300 tonnes of aid were delivered. By working closely with the local government and focusing on the specific needs of the local populace, the WDT ensured that these resources reached those who needed it most.

This effort was much appreciated by the local population. National Liaison Elements in Kabul and Kuwait To support our operations in Afghanistan, LTC Alfred Fox was deployed as the Singapore National Liaison Officer (NLO) in Kabul, Afghanistan, from November 2008 to May 2009, while MAJ Ignatius Tham and 2WO Sivaji Rajah served in the National Support Element (NSE) in Kuwait from October 2008 to February 2009. These servicemen played a vital role in providing coordination and liaison support for all SAF personnel deployed in Afghanistan. Operating in multinational peace support missions is not without risks. The SAF takes force protection seriously, and we prepare our soldiers well so that they can confidently handle any situation. Before deployment, they undergo a training programme to sharpen their combat skills, as well as a joint preparation programme with the multinational forces that they will be working with. Future Deployments to Afghanistan MINDEF has previously announced that we are planning to deploy a UAV Task Group and a KC-135 tanker to support the stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. Given the increased rocket attacks in Afghanistan, we are prepared to deploy a Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) team to Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan province, to provide early warning of rocket attacks and enhance force protection measures of the ISAF personnel deployed in the base there. If the deployment of the radar is considered useful, the WLR detachment can be deployed for between 9 and 12 months from the later part of this year.

Conclusion

Multinational peace support initiatives will continue to be an important aspect of the SAF's operations. By helping to build a stable international environment, we enhance the security of Singapore itself. Today, we recognise the contributions of our servicemen who have successfully completed their tours of duty in Afghanistan. Amongst the 44 recipients of the SAF Overseas Service Medal, there are 8 SAF servicemen who are receiving the Bar to the SAF Overseas Service Medal, and 3 SAF servicemen receiving the Bar (Enhanced) to the SAF Overseas Service Medal. The Bar to the SAF OSM is awarded to servicemen who have met the criteria for the SAF OSM and were previously awarded the medal for a different operation. The Bar (Enhanced) to the SAF OSM is awarded to servicemen who have participated in more than one tour of duty under the same operation, or who have served 180 days or more in the same operation. All of you have successfully completed your missions in Afghanistan with the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and commitment.

By upholding the high professional standards and core values of the SAF, you have done Singapore and the SAF proud. Finally, on behalf of the people of Singapore, I would also like to convey our deepest appreciation to the families of our deployed personnel. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made while your loved ones carried out their duties in the service of our country. Your steadfast support has allowed them to focus on their assigned tasks and the success of their mission. Thank you.