Naval Diving Unit Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Actions
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/wcm/connect/pioneer/2b20d03b-b378-4a22-bd5d-a432d352efc4/09dec21_news1_photo1.jpeg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_1QK41482LG0G10Q8NM8IUA1051-2b20d03b-b378-4a22-bd5d-a432d352efc4-nSx-bm7 /web/wcm/connect/pioneer/2b20d03b-b378-4a22-bd5d-a432d352efc4/09dec21_news1_photo1.jpeg?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_1QK41482LG0G10Q8NM8IUA1051-2b20d03b-b378-4a22-bd5d-a432d352efc4-nSx-bm7 /web/portal/pioneer/article/feature-article-detail/milestones/2021-Q4/09dec21_news1
09dec21_news1 /web/portal/pioneer/article/feature-article-detail/milestones/2021-Q4/09dec21_news1
09 Dec 2021 | MILESTONES

Naval Diving Unit Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

At its golden jubilee, the Naval Diving Unit (NDU) also inaugurated the Special Boat Group and 180 Squadron into the unit.

// Story by Koh Eng Beng

// Photo by Kenneth Lin and Courtesy of Republic of Singapore Navy

Known for their physical and mental strength, NDU's combat divers specialise in operations such as mine clearance, underwater demolition, and more.
English Melayu

Since it was formed in 1971, NDU has successfully completed numerous special operations – from search and recovery to counter-piracy and peace support overseas. Today, the unit continues to ramp up its capabilities so that it can carry on its mission of safeguarding Singapore.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen made this point at NDU's 50th anniversary parade, held at Sembawang Camp on 9 Dec.

Dr Ng (in blue shirt) reviewing NDU's 50th anniversary parade.

"The Special Forces, or NDU equivalents in militaries around the World, form an elite group, often tasked to accomplish difficult missions which can even change the course of history," said Dr Ng on the importance of having a unit like NDU.

He added: "In every mission, NDU soldiers display the highest standards of professionalism and commitment."

A trooping of colours is carried out at the parade to mark NDU's golden jubilee milestone.

Search and recovery operations

For example, when two cable cars plunged into the water after an oil rig struck the aerial ropeway in 1983, NDU swiftly deployed its naval divers for search and recovery operations late at night.

Naval divers battled low visibility, strong currents and long hours before finally locating the two submerged cable cars in Singapore's waters.

One of the naval divers who were involved in the operation was 3rd Sergeant (3SG) (Ret) Faustin Hogan.

He recalled diving down the murky water, to about a metre from the sea bed, to search for the sunken cable cars. Just as his oxygen supply ran low, he found a cable car. So he quickly tied a search line and sand bag to mark the location, then surfaced to the top.

Another pair of divers went down, followed the search line, and confirmed the presence of victims in the cable car. 3SG (Ret) Hogan and his buddy then went down again to retrieve the cable car and victims. Two were doctors, one a nurse and another a businessman, he recalled.

"They were quite young and had good jobs… It got me thinking — never take life for granted," said the 61-year-old.

International operations

In his address at the parade, Dr Ng also recounted the various international operations that NDU had undertaken. For example, from 2003 to 2008, NDU were among Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) forces deployed under Operation Blue Orchid for the reconstruction and stabilisation of Iraq.

The naval divers played a key role in safeguarding Iraq's lifeline, the Al Basra Oil Terminal, which was vulnerable to seaborne threats. They boarded dhows – traditional boats – as well as ultra-large carriers, and sometimes found illegal firearms.

The CCL can also share critical intelligence and data with other supporting elements and task forces such as the Navy's Maritime Security Task Force.

Building capabilities

Dr Ng also highlighted how NDU has continued to build its capability in maritime security operations. For example, NDU has acquired a new fleet of Combatant Craft Large (CCL) for ferrying its troops for operations.

Equipped with a full suite of advanced remote-controlled weapons systems, and communication equipment, the CCL acts as a forward command and control centre to support ground forces in maritime counter-terrorism.

Restructuring

Besides introducing new equipment, NDU has undergone restructuring such as the inauguration of 180 Squadron (SQN) and the Special Boat Group into NDU, Dr Ng noted.

Formerly part of the Maritime Security Command, 180 Squadron comprises the Accompanying Sea Security Team (ASSeT), which are formed by personnel from the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Police Coast Guard. They board and conduct checks on merchant ships sailing through Singapore's waters.

On the other hand, the new Special Boat Group is responsible for all maritime specialised craft such as the CCL.

An ASSeT Operator climbing up a Jacob's ladder rigged to the Boarding and Search Trainer. The ASSeT team is trained to carry out checks on vessels plying the Singapore Strait.

With the addition of 180 SQN and the Special Boat Group, the restructured NDU can now better support operations by SAF task forces such as the Maritime Security Task Force and Special Operations Task Force (SOTF).

Coming a long way

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Eddie Chua, Master Chief of NDU, recalled that in the early days, NDU conducted only search operations and ship husbandry (general maintenance and upkeep). But today, the unit carries out a range of operations including counter-terrorism.

The Navy veteran, who has served 34 years in NDU, attributed NDU's continued success over the decades to its people. "NDU is what it is today, able to conduct maritime special operations, because of our people – the backbone of NDU."

Past and present frogmen (from left): RADM (Ret) Tan, MWO Chua and 3SG (Ret) Hogan.

The 53-year-old was part of the pioneer batch of full-time national serviceman divers in NDU. He likened it to a trial which laid the foundation for NDU to grow its capabilities over the decades.

One of the challenges faced back then, he recalled, was that NDU did not have any experience to conduct training for special operations. So NDU personnel were sent to undergo overseas training such as the United States Navy SEAL Course, rated as the best in the world.

"We gained a lot of experience from there," said MWO Chua, who went on to become a Regular in NDU.

And when NDU joined the Commando Formation to form the SOTF in 2009, it marked a significant milestone for Rear-Admiral (RADM) (Ret) Tan Wee Beng, who was commander of NDU from 2000 to 2003.

The SOTF brings together elite soldiers from NDU and Commando Formation to carry out complex missions such as neutralising terrorists and hostage rescue.

Even before the SOTF was formed, NDU had been the maritime special force for the Navy and SAF for years, noted RADM (Ret) Tan.

On why NDU is able to carry out complex operations, the 56-year-old said: "It is because NDU produces teams of combat divers who are trained to handle the most complex, intense, and chaotic scenarios — and to overcome what we call the unknown unknowns."

Suggested Reading
Two new female combat divers join NDU's ranks
Cover story
Two new female combat divers join NDU's ranks
PEOPLE
21-Mar-24

To hell (week) and back: Buddies through the gruelling Combat Diver Course, CPT Jhosy Ng and CPT Angelia Tan spurred each other on to graduate together as elite naval divers.

She walked so others could run Feature
She walked so others could run
MILESTONES
08-Mar-24

This International Women's Day, we look at 10 inspiring servicewomen who stepped up to be the first in their fields.

Naval divers' trivia face-off
Cover story
Naval divers' trivia face-off
COMMUNITY
15-Nov-23

It's a battle of brains vs brawn between these naval divers.

Navy@Vivo returns, bigger & better!
Navy@Vivo returns, bigger & better!
COMMUNITY
16-Oct-23

Hands up if you miss Navy@Vivo.

She's a diver-doctor in NDU
Cover story
She's a diver-doctor in NDU
PEOPLE
20-Dec-22

She is the first Singaporean woman to undergo the gruelling US Navy Diving Medical Officers' Course. Meet CPT (Dr) Chiew Wenqi, the formation medical officer of the Naval Diving Unit (NDU). Here's five things you need to know about her:

The '3-second' legend
The '3-second' legend
COMMUNITY
09-Dec-22

What unfinished business does CFC (NS) Johnathan Chua have in the Naval Diving Unit (NDU), and what exactly is the '3-second legend’ of NDU-lore?

Little sea marshal
Cover story
Little sea marshal
COMMUNITY
30-Sep-22

African-Singaporean on his way to becoming an officer Feature
African-Singaporean on his way to becoming an officer
PEOPLE
04-Aug-22

Experience the thrill of the chase at NDP!
Cover story
Experience the thrill of the chase at NDP!
COMMUNITY
20-Jul-22

A whole lot of hard work goes into the adrenaline-pumping moves for the Total Defence Display at NDP 2022.

Naval diver, Commando lead SAF Day Parade
Naval diver, Commando lead SAF Day Parade
PEOPLE
24-Jun-22

Meet LTC Roger Cheong and MWO Eng Yew Kiang, the two elite soldiers who are leading this year’s SAF Day Parade. One is a naval diver while the other is from the Commando Formation.