Minister for Defence Visits United States Pacific Command

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (left) and Commander of the United States Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Locklear during an Honors Ceremony at the United States Pacific Command Headquarters.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited the United States Pacific Command (US PACOM) this morning, where he was received with an Honors Ceremony. As part of the visit, Dr Ng met with Commander of the US PACOM Admiral (ADM) Samuel Locklear and was hosted to a roundtable discussion. Dr Ng and ADM Locklear noted the good progress of bilateral cooperation under the 2005 US-Singapore Strategic Framework Agreement, and looked forward to the upcoming deployment of the next Littoral Combat Ship, the USS Fort Worth, to Singapore later this year. Both sides also discussed the US rebalance and engagement of the Asia-Pacific, and other geopolitical developments.
 
Dr Ng's visit underscores the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between the US and Singapore. The Singapore Armed Forces and US PACOM interact extensively through joint training and exercises, staff talks, visits and professional exchanges. These interactions have enhanced the interoperability between the two armed forces as well as the rapport and mutual understanding among their personnel.
 
Dr Ng was on a four-day visit to Hawaii to attend the US-ASEAN Defence Ministers' informal meeting.

Dr Ng (left) exchanging a handshake with ADM Locklear during his visit to the United States Pacific Command.