G'Day from Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia! Around 5,600 kilometres away from home, our soldiers from 41st Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (41 SAR) and 3rd SAF Transport Battalion (3 TPT) are training hard in Exercise Wallaby! Unlike the movie 'Spiderman Far from Home' fighting against villains, our soldiers fully utilised the vast training area to hone their skills to defend our homeland, Singapore. SWBTA is around four times the size of Singapore, and that allows the SAF troops to conduct large scale complex and realistic training to hone our operational competencies
Armoured Vehicles lined up!
Always Ready!
To prepare for their component training, soldiers also conducted detailed vehicle checks and maintenance as part of their force preparation process. There is a need to ensure their vehicles are always in the best condition during their mission exercise. Additionally, as Armoured Infanteers, they also went through a series of weapon refresher training or in short, 'Just-In-Time' (JIT) training before moving out for the mission.
Assemble weapon! Stripping and assembling of weapon are part of technical handling tests to test on soldiers’ confidence of the weapon.
Final checks before moving out!
Paying attention to small details!
A soldier providing vehicle ground guidance.
3SG Pavithran s/o Anbalagan, Armoured Fighting Vehicle Commander.
3SG Pavithran s/o Anbalagan, Armoured Fighting Vehicle Commander, shared about the importance of 'tough love' during training, demanding only the best from his troopers. "It is all about discipline! It shapes the character of a person, and it will be a critical factor to achieve mission success. However, it was never easy displaying such a tough character for my troopers. The only way is to consistently care for their well-being as if they are my siblings. Watching out for their safety during the tough and realistic training is also an important role as a commander. Slowly, they will see your intent and start to appreciate you as their commander. That feeling of being appreciated is something that money cannot buy, and I am glad that we are still friends after the training period."
Disappointed but not dampened!
Due to the dry and hot spell at SWBTA, a fire ban was called upon by the Australian authorities, and all live-firing training have ceased. However, this did not dampen the spirit of the soldiers from 41 SAR! They have come a long way of progressive training back in Singapore to acclimatise and prepare them for this exercise, and there is no way they will put that into waste. Driven by strong professionalism, they continued to remain focused on their component training and made use of the training area to sharpen their skill sets as Armoured Infanteers.
CFC Muhammad Fadhlie Bin Roslie (right).
CFC Muhammad Fadhlie Bin Roslie (right) shared on his role as Section 2nd in Command. "It is important to remain focused despite the fire ban. We came a long way from scratch in Singapore, and we want to prove a point that we are competent enough to operate in any condition. I am heartened to see the professionalism displayed by our troops, and I am confident that we will overcome all adversities together as a unit. Regardless of whether there is a fire ban or not, being here in SWBTA is already a privilege, and we are all excited to accomplish mission success for our Company Mission Exercise!"
Showtime!
Before the Armour Component Training in SWBTA, the soldiers also underwent simulator training on the Armour Gunnery, Manoeuvre Simulator and Heat Acclimatisation training. Finally, after months of training and preparation, this is what they have been waiting for!
Mission briefing was conducted to ensure everyone was clear about the mission and execution plan.
All set! Time to roll out!
Contacted! Troops are dismounting to engage the enemies!
Charge!
Mission Accomplished! Next up … Company Mission Exercise!
CPL G Theevan, trooper.
CPL G Theevan, trooper, shared about how the relationship with his peers got better within the unit. "We are already a band of brothers back in Singapore when we went through a series of training and preparation. Out in the field, during strenuous training, we always look out for one another, and knowing that your section mates have your back is what keeps me going. Getting close to my section mates means we can cheer each other up during tough times. Through this exercise, I am confident we will fight as one to achieve mission success!"
Time for Resupply!
Our soldiers are now deep into the area of operation, and their supply is running out! Fret not! Our Air Terminal Rigger Company from 3 TPT is here to help achieve mission success! Our riggers are trained and licensed to pack and secure packages of supply into the battlefield. In XWB, 3 TPT worked hand-in-hand with RSAF in an integrated Air-Land Integrated training involving C-130 airdrop operation. The integrated training allows the Army and the RSAF to work together to enhance interoperability and hone the operational competencies of personnel from both Services.
Our riggers securing the packages prior to loading it up to the C-130.
The ‘Red Hat’ is also known as an airdrop load inspector, conducting final detailed inspections.
Loading up to the C-130.
Bye resupply packages!
Mission accomplished! Safe landing for the resupplies!
CPL Markus Yuen, airdrop load inspector
CPL Markus Yuen from 3 TPT was appointed as an NSF airdrop load inspector, termed 'Red Hat' for his outstanding performance as a rigger. He also extended his National Service to be part of XWB 2019. "It is an important mission entrusted to me, and there is no room for complacency. To be able to train here in SWBTA, it is something that I cannot miss! It is a rare opportunity for us to perform our operation with the size of this training area. I am glad I decided to extend my service to be part of this exercise and apply what I was entrusted to do as airdrop load inspector."
