Category: Singapore Category: Special forces

The Singapore Armed Forces Commandos are the component of special operations armed forces of Singapore (Singapore Armed Forces); it is placed under the authority of the general staff.

Organization

Based in Henderson Camp, the SAF Commandos are organized in a Bataillon commandos parachutists, two centers of specialized instruction (school of commandos and schools of drive commando) and an special unit of intervention called Special Operations Forces (SOF), which is with antiterrorist vocation .

The SAF Commandos also align a Peloton of Special forces for the terrestrial operations, called Land Platoon Operations (LOP), a group Ranger S and a subaqueous group of intervention, named Underwater Operations Platoon (UOP).

The LOP, which is formed on the model of the special forces of the US Army, is in charge of the same types of missions as the United States Army Special Forces.

Within the framework of the operations of not-conventional Guerre, it can be brought to also lead missions of Reconnaissance lointaire and actions in the depth, even if these last are more specifically dedicated to the Rangers group, whose training are copied directly on those their American counterpart.

As for the UOP, certified copy US Navy SEAL, this one is a unit of commando-marine and Naval frogman, in charge of special operations in maritime medium (offensive recognition, direct actions, maritime counter-terrorism, etc)

Selection

To become commando it is necessary to satisfy very thorough and rigorous medical examinations, to have an good intelligence as well as a good sight. However this last point is less and less taken into account being given the considerable increase of case of myopia to Singapore. The wearing of contact lenses in operation or with the drive allowing to solve the problem. Finally the candidate commando should not have another member of his family affected in a unit of the special forces. At the end of a last psychological examination the recruit is authorized to follow the formation commando.

Formation

It is necessary to count one year of formation so that a Singaporean commando is trained perfectly. Initially their instruction differs little from that of a conventional soldier even if with the wire of time the level standard increases considerably. Perfect results are thus required at the training sessions to the shooting and their role of future soldier of elite is constantly recalled to the recruits. At the conclusion of this first phase of drive those whose performances are in-on this side necessary level can be seen refusing the continuation of their formation.

Come then another phase more centered much on the formation commando itself. The difficulty of the physical small fireclay cups increases and the trainees are brought to discover new types of armaments such as the Canadian rocket launcher Karl Gustav. The recruits as well learn the orientation on ground as on sea or navigation on boats, the basic on the use of the technical explosives and various techniques of insertion by semi-rigid helicopter or boats of zodiac type. The stress is also laid on team work and the combat out of building.

At the end of this training cycle the candidate sees himself decreeing the rank of corporal.

Come then the phase from specialization during which several specialities are proposed: marksman, signalling equipment and controller on the ground, medical specialist, specialization in armament and arms manufacturer, expert in explosive and specialist in navigation on boat. All the trainees must moreover pass by the school of parachuting where they gain their patent after seven jumps, including five of night. Thereafter the company leaves in Brunei, other allied of Singapore, there to follow a training course of survival in full jungle and to learn how to operate in team.

At the end of this last test the trainees go back to Singapore where they become new commandos. Their red beret is thus given to them at the time of an official ceremony. Those which wish it can however continue their training cycle to acquire new competences.

Armaments

The armament in equipment within the Singaporean special forces is rather similar to that of the conventional units. It includes/understands thus semi-automatic guns Browning HP-35 and Sig-Sauer P-220, P-226 and P-230, Sterling machine pistols and H&K MP-5 in its various versions

On the level of rifles of attack are in service the Colt M-16, the SAR-80, SAR-88 and recent and very modern SAR-21. Also used the light machine-gun Ultimax and the heavy machine gun Browning M2HB gauge .50 of them, the M-433 grenade thrower and the rocket launchers Amrbrust and Carl Gustav m2.

Interventions and missions

Singapore knows a very strong prosperity, it to what a real stability is added. In times of peace the Singaporean commandos can however beings called to lend strong hand to the police service as at the time of violent the riot S of 1974.

However the most famous intervention of the commandos of Singapore took place the March 26th 1991 during the release of one hundred twenty three hostages selected on board a plane of the Singapore Airlines by four Terroriste S Pakistan board; intervention carried out in less minute which showed the death of the four terrorists without no passenger being wounded. After this blow of glare the unit is lived to allot the medal of Honor, it to what a quotation for all the group was added.

Symbols

Like the majority of the units of this type, the Singaporean commandos gave each other specific symbols, at the same time to be distinguished from the remainder of the troops but also to increase the feeling of friendship and fraternity within the group. Those Ci are a currency which is For Honnor and Glory , or literally " For the Honor and Gloire" which reminds the commandos that they fight above all for their fatherland. Secondly a badge representing a winged scraping-knife, more or less identical to that raised by the Special Air Service British. Thirdly the port of a red beret which is given to the new commandos at the time of an official ceremony at the end of their formation. It should be noted that this cover-chief is sometimes carried in the place of the helmet of protection. He is on the other hand of rigor at the time of the processions. Fourthly the port of a scraping-knife commando, long twenty centimetres and marked symbol of the commandos of Singapore. In addition to its symbolic system it remains a frightening weapon with the body with body. Finally the money wings related to the chest of the right-sided attest that the commandos are accomplished parachutists.

Traditions

The 1st Battalion commando organizes since 1992 a great competition opposing the various units of the special forces of Singapore. During tests the various candidates see their ability being put to the test during tests of shootings, of course of obstacles or use of explosive. The access to the field of competition is opened to the families and the friends of the participants who can be pilot event.

The institution commando organizes also a sporting test called Commando Biathlon whose origin goes back to 1984. In the beginning three discipline was with the program but the bicycle will be removed in 1988. During this test all the army corps can take part. However the training of the commandos their makes it possible to make the difference. They thus gained five times in six years the race between 1988 and 1993.

The Singaporean commandos are also of the majority of the processions and military demonstrations which one places in the island. They ravel thus at the time of the day of the army on August 9th.

Accidents and polemics

The army of Singapore is famous for the safety granted to its soldiers and its commandos and of this fact the accidents only occur very seldom. Moreover, contrary to other countries, they are médiatisés very little. However some made noise as in 2003 when the Sergent private (military regular and not commando) Hu Enhuai lost the life at the time of a drive of survival supervised by red berets. Following this business four commandos were translated in front of a court one year later which issued that the drive was " inadapté". Meanwhile the sergeant Rajagopal Thirukumaran lost to him also the life at the time of an Ranger training course supervised by commandos. July 14th, 2005 the first-sergeant Shiva Mohan and a foreign soldier (probably New Zealand) killed himself at the time of a exercise of abseil.

However the greatest scandal occurred on June 15th, 2005 when the second-sergeant Ong Jia Hui, twenty-four years old drowned at the time of a drive to the maritime counter-terrorism with the naval Base of Changi. At the time of the accident it appeared that four of its instructors had attended all the scene without really seeking to intervene.

External bonds and bibliography

• Official site of the army of Singapore

• Page on the Singaporean commandos