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

Chief of Defence Force,

Service Chiefs,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

The world today is confronted with a wide spectrum of non-conventional threats, from global terrorism and piracy to the spread of pandemics. Additionally, the recent floods and earthquakes that occurred in New Zealand, Australia and Japan are reminders that in spite of Man's best efforts and technology, natural disasters continue to pose considerable risks and threats to modern societies. They strike with little or no warning, with enormous force, and can cause widespread destruction and devastation to both properties and lives. Here in Singapore, I think we can count ourselves fortunate that nature is relatively kind to us. We do not have typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis, but we get the occasional heavy rain which we can deal and cope with. As a responsible member of the international community, Singapore stands ready to assist our friends during times of crisis in whatever way we can. Today, we acknowledge the contributions of our servicemen who took part in the Christchurch earthquake relief operation. Singapore and New Zealand share a very close and strong defence relationship. Our two countries enjoy a longstanding partnership under the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and we continue to cooperate closely across multiple areas. The SAF has previously deployed with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, and the armed forces of both countries regularly conduct exercises together. In fact, when the earthquake struck on 22 February, a 116-man SAF company was in the vicinity of Christchurch for a bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

Applying their training in an actual operational setting, our servicemen assisted the NZDF and the New Zealand Police Force in establishing a round-the-clock security cordon around the worst affected areas in the Christchurch Central Business District, and kept the local population away from buildings that were structurally unsafe, thereby facilitating the conduct of rescue efforts. Our servicemen also bolstered the number of security forces on the ground while reinforcements were called in from other parts of New Zealand.

The SAF further contributed capabilities in other areas that brought significant value to our friends and the relief operations. The RSAF flew in one KC-135 and two C-130 aircraft and airlifted humanitarian aid and supplies to victims of the earthquake, as well as evacuated civilians from Christchurch to Wellington and Auckland. A total of 238 civilians and emergency workers and 109,000 pounds of cargo were transported over 14 sorties. The SAF also deployed combat engineers to remove damaged structures from houses to render them safe for the re-entry of residents, as well as medical officers who provided primary health care to those affected by the disaster. In the recovery phase, COL (Dr) Tan Peng Hui led a five-member Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Team comprising members from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The DVI Team contributed specialist skills in dental forensics, pathology, DNA analysis and fingerprinting to assist the New Zealand authorities in identifying the deceased.

The professionalism and competence of our SAF troops have been evident throughout the relief operation. Experience gained from conducting regular exercises with the NZDF meant that we had developed a significant level of mutual understanding, friendship and trust. This enabled us to seamlessly integrate with and add value to the NZDF's rescue operations. Our smooth transition from an exercise to an operation also reflected our flexibility and ability to successfully deliver capabilities at short notice. Our servicemen also adapted rapidly to various conditions on the ground, such as learning to operate the NZDF's water purification unit that was of a different system to what they had been trained in.

Special mention goes to the group of 17 Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) who were part of the exercise troops in Christchurch and subsequently took part in the relief operation. They discharged their duties with the same high level of competence and professionalism as their regular counterparts. I am sure the parents and families of these NSFs, as with the rest of Singapore, are very proud of them.

This operation has highlighted the importance of the SAF's readiness to conduct a full spectrum of operations. In addition to our involvement in many overseas operations such as deployments to Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden, HADR operations have also become an important aspect of what we do. I am heartened that every one of you carried out your mission with the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and commitment. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by the New Zealanders and highly regarded by all of us at home.

Finally, I would also like to convey our deepest appreciation to the families of the servicemen, whose understanding and unwavering support have allowed our servicemen to focus on their assigned tasks and successfully complete their mission.

Thank you very much and well done to all.

More Resources

150 SAF Personnel Honoured for Contributions in Christchurch