The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) successfully concluded the 25th edition of the annual bilateral Exercise Valiant Mark (XVM) today. Commander 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB), Colonel (COL) Alan Tan and Commanding Officer of the Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), COL Thomas Siverts co-officated the closing ceremony at Bedok Camp this morning.

Held in Singapore from 28 November to 9 December 2022, around 850 personnel from the SAF's 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards and the USMC Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia, I MEF participated in the exercise. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) also supported the exercise with two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters and three CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

The exercise culminated in a battalion heli-borne mission, involving joint planning and a deliberate assault by the troops at Murai Urban Training Facility. Other exercise elements included Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, live-firing at the Multi-Mission Range Complex, jungle training, and urban operations training.

Launched in 1991, XVM underscores the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and the US. The two militaries interact regularly through numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises, high-level visits, professional exchanges as well as the cross-attendance of courses and seminars. These mutually beneficial exchanges have enhanced the professionalism, strengthened cooperation between both armed forces, and forged strong rapport and camaraderie among their personnel.