A decade of glory.
That's what the Commandos celebrated after they were crowned the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) Best Combat Unit for the 10th year running. This marks the elite 1st Commando Battalion's (1 CDO Bn's) 27th win.
The competition, which began in 1969, recognises units that are highly combat ready, skilful in operations and good in administration.
Commanding Officer (CO) of the unit Major (MAJ) Iain Hoo said of the win: "There's always some pressure being the defending champion. I'd say that the soldiers exert pressure on themselves, because it's something they don't want to give up. It's an honour that they have worked very hard for."
For Detachment Commander Lieutenant (LTA) (NS) Anders Eric Aplin, the victory was probably a good gift to mark his Operationally Ready Date (ORD) in late June. He had voluntarily extended his ORD by nine months just to complete a training cycle with his men. "I feel very proud that we could maintain the (winning) tradition. There was a bit of pressure on us, since our predecessors have won it so many times, but there was definitely a belief that we could do it."
From the Navy, RSS Intrepid took top honours at the competition and was named the Best Ship for the first time. Last year, the Formidable-class stealth frigate was the first frigate in the Navy to be deployed to the Gulf of Aden for counter-piracy operations. This year, it was also the first Singapore warship to be berthed alongside the Promenade at Vivocity mall for a public exhibition.
CO of the ship Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Vince Tan considered it a privilege that his crew had the opportunity to experience these "firsts". He attributed the win to a strong learning culture: "On our ship, we say 'Tell me what you need to do your job, and I will support you better.' This willingness to help one another, to share their knowledge to grow as a team, has enabled us to do well in 2012."
The Air Force's 149 Squadron (SQN) took home the Best Fighter Squadron award. While this is the seventh time the squadron has won the award, it is its second win since it started operating the high-tech F-15SG fighter planes in 2010. This January, the squadron also won Exercise Top Ace, a competition in which fighter squadrons in the Air Force pit their skills against one another.
When asked what the squadron's winning factor was, CO LTC David Lim replied that his people were high achievers: "They are unyielding to challenges; they feel more motivated when they overcome challenges."
The desire to excel is evident in both air and ground crew. Said Chief of the Squadron's flight line crew Military Expert (ME) 3 Saravanan: "In the old days, maybe the boys in green (flight suit) looked more glamorous. But we've moved away from that old school thinking. Now, we work in a partnership. I have an equal share in mission success, and I own the outcome."
Units staffed mainly by Operationally-ready National Servicemen (NSmen) were also honoured in the Best National Service (NS) Unit Competition, which started in 1993.
This year, 10 NS units won the award. Among them was 755th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (755 SIR). According to its CO MAJ (NS) Chua Kim Peng, his men are always willing to return for their In-Camp Training (ICT) despite having to juggle their NS and civilian responsibilities because they understand the purpose and are able to contribute meaningfully.
Section Commander 3rd Sergeant (NS) Amir Hamzah bin Dharavis Mohidin added that seeing his buddies at ICT is another reason why he looks forward to each ICT. The Senior Tax Officer at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore explained: "The bonds we formed during our active NS days since 2006 make us look forward to reservist (ICT) because it's only once a year that we get to meet up."
When asked how the men in his unit reacted to news of their win, MAJ (NS) Chua, who is a Senior Advisory Group Manager in a wealth management firm, replied: "They were elated. They didn't question why we got it because we know we are a good unit to begin with. But having the SAF confirm it with the award, they really cheered and tore the roof down!"
Come 1 July, President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen will present the awards to the winners at the SAF Day Parade at the SAFTI Military Institute.
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