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

Minister of State,
Senior Parliamentary Secretary,
Chief of Defence Force,
Service Chiefs,
Senior Commanders,
Distinguished Guests,
Family Members,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good evening to all of you, especially the family members who are joining us. It's always my delight to see family members of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen as there are few opportunities that we get to see you, so thank you for joining us.

As a responsible member of the international community and a major maritime nation, Singapore understands why it is important that sea routes continue to be free to navigation and that trade routes are safe. When freedom of navigation is threatened and where we can make a useful contribution, we will do our part to counter piracy. This is why we are in the Gulf of Aden: to assist the shipping community and maintain maritime trade.

These transnational security challenges, like piracy and terrorism, which cut across state boundaries, increasingly call upon the collected responses of various states and communities to be able to mount an adequate response to achieve peace and stability across the globe.Since April 2009, the SAF has contributed two SAF Task Groups, each with one Landing Ship Tank and two Super Pumas, and one Command Team to lead the multinational Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. Each time we deploy, we constantly evaluate where we are able to contribute more effectively, to add professional value and to bring new capabilities to the task force and our coalition partners. That is our prevailing philosophy which is the correct one for the SAF. In other words we don't only seek to just be there. We are always looking for ways that are operationally relevant to us and at the same time we want to make a significant contribution with our efforts.

This is the first time we have deployed an RSAF Fokker 50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) detachment to conduct overseas international maritime surveillance operations and the second time we have taken command of CTF 151. It is the first time that our Fokker 50 has worked so closely with the other international maritime patrol aircraft, and these included countries such as the US, Japan, Germany and Spain. As we worked with these partners to ensure a wider area of surveillance over the Gulf of Aden, these interactions have allowed us to peg our performance and capabilities against them. These are developed economies with professional militaries so as we operate shoulder to shoulder it allows our servicemen to benchmark themselves against the other militaries. More importantly, they have broadened our bilateral working relationships with countries that we normally would not operate with and it enhances the SAF's reputation as a credible partner.

Led by the Commanding Officer of 121 Squadron LTC Song Chun Keet, our one aircraft and 36 personnel generated a commendable 20 missions per month, which was a higher mission generation rate than some countries that deployed more aircraft than us. This would not have been possible without the rigorous aircraft preparation and support provided by the 11 personnel from ST Aero engineering, as well as ground aircraft protection provided by our field defence troopers. Despite the tough working conditions in Djibouti, your tireless efforts and vigilance allowed the crew to carry out their missions effectively and safely.

At the command level, I would like to commend RADM Harris Chan Weng Yip and his command team for leaving their mark in enhancing the operational capability of CTF 151. The team raised the level of information sharing and practical cooperation amongst the navies of CTF 151 through their successful integration of a diverse suite of partner communication protocols. Each time I receive visiting guests, whether they are ministers or chiefs of services, I sense their respect and admiration for SAF servicemen with whom they have worked. These are not pleasantries, because these are spontaneous, these are off-the-cuff and you can sense that there is a deep respect.

Let me take this opportunity to recognise the support and sacrifices made by the families of our servicemen and women. I know that when your loved ones are away, you have to shoulder a greater burden apart from your personal concerns; I know that your encouragement and understanding played a crucial role in the success of any mission that the SAF undertakes. It allowed them when they were away to really concentrate on their missions with full focus, knowing that their families back home were well taken care of. In your own way, you have contributed to the security and defence of Singapore. So on behalf of the SAF and the people of Singapore, I want to thank you once again for your support and contributions. Thank you.

More Resources

101 SAF Personnel Honoured for Counter-Piracy Contributions