NZ PRT welcomes SAF troops to Afghanistan base

LazerLordz SG

New Zealand Defence Force Welcomes Singaporeans To Afghanistan

Tuesday, 29 May 2007, 1:30 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Defence Force

The Singaporean Armed Forces personnel are flanked by the NZPRT contingent as they stand to attention for the raising of their flag.

Dental services will soon be available at Bamyan Hospital in Afghanistan, due to the deployment of a five-man medical team from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) which joined the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) in Bamyan province almost two weeks ago.

The SAF are residing at the New Zealand base while they set up and train local staff to run a dental clinic designed to provide comprehensive dental health to the people of Bamyan.

The Singaporean personnel are experiencing the full extent of Kiwi hospitality with provision of logistics, specialist knowledge and information and administration support which will help them achieve their mission in Afghanistan.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jack Steer, says the partnership between the New Zealand and Singaporean Armed Forces in Afghanistan is indicative of the collaborative nature of operations in the region.

The New Zealand Defence Force is once again proud to be associated with the Singapore Armed Forces in a humanitarian assistance and reconstruction operation. We very much look forward to working together in assisting the people of Afghanistan to receive the support and services they need to rebuild their nation.

The commitment of military forces by both of our Governments is just part of our combined efforts to bring peace and stability to this troubled nation.

The SAF and NZDF know each other well and have previously deployed together in a UN mission in East Timor. The NZDF has operated in Bamyan Province since 2003 and personnel have built up a strong foundation of trust with the local community and provincial government.

There are 122 New Zealand personnel involved in the NZPRT in Afghanistan today. Currently 675 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 19 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0705/S00529.htm

Fatum SG

yes yes, I know dental hygiene is important ....

but ..... with camel humpers running rampant over Afghanistan with an agenda to put it back to the dark ages and then to export it outwards, you'd think there are more pressing priorities that need to be addressed than dental hygiene eh .... Confused

Detached SG

I'm so damn proud of SG 5 men team Laughing

Nuad SG

upz for them in afghanistan!

a little off topic but what is the purpose of the black cover over unit patch i always wondered

dragg SG

we only send medical personnel overseas.

frankly are there any singapore soldiers with battle experience?

LazerLordz SG

I believe that is the velcro backing, for the unit patch to be placed on.

Hmm, wonder if there's any force protection team there..

LazerLordz SG

Laughing

LazerLordz SG

CTF- Timor Leste and the UNIKOM observer mission have been in small scale firefights before..

pqr SG

waht if the singapore soldiers there got kidnapp like those koreans??!! Shocked

gd4u SG

it depends on which soldier is kidnapped ... Laughing

Ponders SG

Yup, the force protection team is the contingent commander... Guardsman LTC.

was my CO.

Ponders SG

since it is circular...

could it be a velcro backing for the Red Cross sign since they are there for medical reasons?

but then... singapore medics wear red cross on left or right arm?

dragg SG

then they are as good as dead.

mr_sotong SG

was my co too..

n not to forget his favorite words

"I FUGGING CHARGE U!!" Laughing

Arapahoe SG

There is a tendency for SAF deployment to evolve. We just have to watch.

Ponders SG

in a high pitch voice.

Arapahoe SG

any idea what is their Rule of engagement if any?

Ponders SG

Serviceman must use escalated response to potential hostile threat,

should there be any potential hostility,

service man will first shout, "HALT, HALT, or I will drill your teeth"

if this does not stop the intruder, serviceman will drill into the empty air as a warning.

if the intruder does not stop, he is allowed to drill or extract the teeth without GA.

serviceman can skip the first 2 steps if there is immediate danger to SAF or friendly forces.

chanjyj SG

Laughing

blitzonic SG

frankly are there any singapore soldiers with battle experience?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CTF- Timor Leste and the UNIKOM observer mission have been in small scale firefights before..

Yeah, man. The SAF has been contributing to peacekeeping forces for some 18 years now (starting from the year after I ORDed) -- where have you been?

It's true that most of the earlier ones involved only law-enforcement duties & medical/logistical support. But, since 2002, we'd sent rotations of armed peacekeepers to Timor Leste for what is entering the 5th year now. MINDEF had organized a photo exhibt of the deployment some time back, but I found a link online which, better yet, provides video clips that documented the experience there. Remember, as you watch the images, that this is the real deal. You don't need firefights to authenticate the adventure, & check out the terrain in some of the clips!

Windows Media Player needed:
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/art/defenceart_videos.htm