The Singapore and United States (US) Army concluded Exercise Lightning Strike 2018 this morning (Singapore time). Held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, US from 16 to 24 Apr 2018 (US time), this year's exercise saw the participation of about 280 personnel from the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2SIR) and 4-23 Infantry Battalion from the US Army.

As part of the exercise, soldiers from both armies trained together to strengthen interoperability in urban operations. The exercise culminated with an integrated battalion assault on an urban objective, with soldiers conducting Close Quarter Battle utilising specialised urban operations equipment. The exercise provided a valuable urban operations training opportunity for the Singapore Army. Soldiers from the Singapore Army also operated alongside their US counterparts in their US Stryker Combat Vehicles.  

Exercise Lightning Strike is an annual bilateral exercise between the Singapore and US Army. Held in Singapore and the US on a rotational basis, the exercise allows both armies to share tactics, techniques and procedures, and is a hallmark of the excellent ties between both armies. Inaugurated in 1996, this year's exercise is the 11th in the series.

The Singapore and US Army interact extensively through exercises, professional exchange programmes and the cross-attendance of courses. These interactions have enhanced the professionalism, personal rapport and interoperability between both armed forces, as well as reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and the US.