Seems that our sailors are doing OK down there. Let's hope it
stays that way. Nice article, ChineseJunk. NDU, are you one of
those down there?
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/singapore/story/0,4386,227476,00.html
Singapore forces patrol Iraqi coastline
160 RSS Endurance crew protect the Al Basra Oil Terminal as part of
S'pore's efforts to help re-build Iraq
By David Boey
ABOARD RSS ENDURANCE (In the northern Arabian Gulf) - As
Singaporeans get ready to usher in the new year, the crew of the
RSS Endurance is gearing up for its next mission off the coast of
southern Iraq.
The RSN Task Group on board this 141m-long landing ship tank, or
LST, has completed three sea deployments of 10 or 11 days each
since arriving in the Gulf in November.
Over the weekend, it started its fourth mission, patrolling the
Iraqi coastline. Its job is to protect a vital installation at sea,
patrol sea routes leading to Iraqi ports and deter smuggling.
Part of its task is to safeguard the Al Basra Oil Terminal, or
Abot, just off the Iraqi coast.
This petroleum terminal can pump about US$60 million (S$102
million) worth of crude oil a day.
Concern that terrorists may try to disrupt its operations has
prompted the coalition forces to assign two warships to protect the
facility every day.
These guard ships maintain a safe zone around Abot, from which they
stop and turn away unauthorised ships.
As the patrol area sits astride sea lanes leading to Iraqi ports,
the task group also queries and inspects merchant ships and cargo
dhows sailing in these waters.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sukhvinder Singh Chopra, who commands the task
group, said: 'We board and inspect ships to verify that they are
not contravening United Nations Security Council regulations, for
example, in the area of oil smuggling and carriage of unauthorised
weapons,' he said.
When a vessel is awaiting prosecution for breaching the rules, the
Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) gives medical checks to the crew
and provides water, rations and other essentials.
At the LST's rear, a helicopter deck serves as a landing platform
for naval helicopters supporting the coalition's patrolling
warships to land and re-fuel.
A sizeable number of Naval Diving Unit troops is on board, both to
protect the task group and to search merchant vessels.
The unit's marksmen can use high-powered rifles to hit their
targets precisely, while a 25mm naval gun provides greater
firepower against seaborne threats several kilometres away.
RSS Endurance's presence in the Arabian Gulf is part of Singapore's
contribution to the multinational effort to re-build Iraq.
Unless the Iraqi people can re-build their lives and re-integrate
their country into the global community, there can be no stability
in the Gulf region and the Middle East, said Singapore's Defence
Minister Teo Chee Hean.
The Straits Times' visit to RSS Endurance and its 160 RSN men and
women is the first time the Defence Ministry has allowed the
Singapore media to witness RSN operations in the Gulf.
'The core of the crew deployed here has worked and trained together
for some time. The crew was drilled in responses to small-boat
threats and practised numerous drills that would prevent the spread
of fire and flooding, in the event that we're engaged upon,' said
Lt-Col Chopra.
During the northern winter, the sun sets at around 4.30pm and
temperatures dip to as low as 10 deg C. Strong gusty winds whip up
waves 2.5m high.
Winter operations here make it a real challenge when fast boats
need to be launched to investigate other vessels.
RSS Endurance's commanding officer, Lt-Col Li Lit Siew, said his
crew has coped well so far and their morale remains high despite
the fast tempo of the operations.
Lt-Col Chopra said: 'Our task - in particular the protection of our
ship, protection of the oil terminal, boarding, and health and
comfort checks - is challenging and demanding, both physically and
mentally.
'The crew has had to maintain round-the-clock vigilance against
threats, performed in very cold wind chill as well as rough sea
conditions common during winter in the northern Arabian Gulf.
'This demands the highest level of professionalism. They have shown
tremendous dedication.'
