Chief of Staff, 6th Singapore Division (6 DIV) Colonel (COL) Teo Cheng Leong and the Deputy Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division (25 ID), United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), Brigadier General (BG) Patrick E. Matlock co-officiated the opening ceremony of Exercise Tiger Balm at Mandai Hill Camp this afternoon. Exercise Tiger Balm is the longest-running bilateral exercise between the Singapore and US armies, and 2015 marks the 35th year of the exercise since it was first conducted in 1981. This exercise is a hallmark of the excellent and longstanding ties between both armed forces.

Held from 13 to 24 July 2015, the brigade-level exercise involves about 300 personnel from the 9th Singapore Infantry Brigade and the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Hawaii Army National Guard. During the exercise, both armies will conduct a command post map planning exercise based on conventional attack scenarios. The exercise will also include wargaming through simulation supported by the OPERA command and control data system. This will enable exercise troops in Hawaii to coordinate the planning phase of the exercise with troops in Singapore. 

At the opening ceremony, COL Teo hailed the exercise as an "excellent platform for both armies to share best practices and enhance inter-operability." He added, "This exercise will be successful in fostering strong ties between the two armies, facilitating the sharing of best practices, and promoting peace in the region."

Exercise Tiger Balm is one of many bilateral interactions between the Singapore and US armed forces. The two armed forces interact extensively through exercises, professional exchange programmes and cross-attendance of professional courses. These interactions have enhanced the professionalism and interoperability between both armed forces and fostered mutual understanding among their personnel.