Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Overseas Service Medal Presentation Ceremony, Pasir Laba Camp

Chief of Defence Force,
Chief of Army,
Senior Commanders,
Boys and Girls,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.

I am delighted to join you this afternoon for this occasion especially, and to see many of your families here. It's a good occasion for many of us to come together as one big family. We have been in Afghanistan for some years now. By the end of this year, over 400 SAF servicemen and women would have served in Afghanistan over the past five years. For those of you who have been following our deployments, they have ranged from building health facilities and providing dental, medical and surgical treatment to enhancing the security of the International Security Assistance Force or what they call ISAF, with our Weapon Locating Radar, our UAV and Imagery Analysis teams. More recently, we contributed military institutional trainers to support the ISAF's efforts to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) so that they can eventually take over the security responsibility of their own country. As a small nation with limited resources, Singapore is very mindful to contribute within our means. But while our contributions may be small, compared to some of the larger militaries, they are in niche areas where we have the expertise and where we can make a significant operational difference to the overall coalition effort. And indeed from our reports, and during my visit to Afghanistan, the feedback I got from the other ISAF commanders was that wherever we were, in whatever capacity, we make the difference. More often than not, the call to me was that either you stay longer or send in more people.

We have put in substantial resources and effort, and put our soldiers in high risk areas in Afghanistan. We must not forget why we did it-for a specific and justifiable goal. Our contributions there support the larger multinational effort to prevent extremists from using Afghanistan as a base to export terrorism to the rest of the world, including Singapore. It has been a long decade against this war against terrorism but we must not forget the origins-why we were there and why we are there. It also reflects our commitment to do our part as a responsible member of the international community.

I would also say that while we have a purpose and we have a goal for our deployments in Afghanistan, the SAF has also benefited professionally from each successive deployment, Our servicemen gained useful operational experience that sharpens the entire SAF. Our servicemen have also performed well during their deployments. In doing so, they have enhanced the SAF's reputation as a professional outfit and a reliable partner.

This afternoon, we recognise the efforts of 43 servicemen who have served in various capacities across Afghanistan over the past year. Assuming command and control over all SAF troops deployed in Afghanistan was National Contingent Commander COL Lee Wei Cheng, who coordinated the SAF's operations and ensured the well-being of our servicemen who were in-theatre.

From September 2011 to May 2012, we deployed two rotations of 10 military institutional trainers each, led by SLTC Vincent Tan and SLTC Christopher Lo, to train the Afghan National Army, or ANA, in the artillery school in Kabul. We also sent a two-man team, led by MAJ Chester Lim, to partner the Australian Defence Force Mentoring Task Force in Oruzgan in developing training programmes for ANA commanders to detect and identify Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs.

The efforts of our trainers in Kabul and Oruzgan are significant in helping the ANA, which needs to train some 60,000 soldiers each year, what we want, the overall plan for Singapore, is together with the ISAF partners, is to help the ANA build operational capacity and capability, so that eventually when they take over sole responsibility for their country, they can restore and maintain stability. I am told that our trainers in Kabul were also asked to help manage the construction of an instructional facility. And they were able to complete the assigned task promptly. Their professionalism served to enhance the trust and confidence that our foreign partners have in the SAF.

From October 2011 to March 2012, we also deployed a fifth rotation of Imagery Analysts. Led by LTC Lim Kwang Eng, the five man team augmented the ISAF's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt..

As we continue with our contributions in 2012, we are closely monitoring the transition efforts by the ISAF. As many of you would have read in the newspapers, various partners within the ISAF coalition have spoken about their own draw-down plans. The SAF will work with our partners towards the completion of our mission in Afghanistan. The transition process for a third tranche of provinces has now begun, and soon, 75 per cent of Afghans will live in areas where the ANSF have taken the lead for security. The ANSF is on track to take over full security responsibility for Afghanistan from the ISAF by the end of 2014. All of you here can be proud of your contributions towards this effort and for your personal efforts in combating terrorism.

Thank you for a job well done. You have successfully completed your respective missions in Afghanistan with the highest standards of professionalism and commitment. I commend you for keeping the Singapore flag flying high.

Let me also take this opportunity to convey my deepest appreciation to the families of our servicemen. I know that many of you had to endure separation and that you made sacrifices while your loved ones served their duties in Afghanistan. Your unwavering support and understanding gave our servicemen a peace of mind, allowing them to focus on their missions and contribute to the best of their abilities. On behalf of the people of Singapore, I too would like to express our gratitude to each one of you. Thank you.

More Resources

• 43 SAF Personnel Honoured for Overseas Contributions