TV Documentary on SAF Peacekeepers in Timor Leste

last SG · 2003-11-02T21:49:57+00:00

oh i dun think so. its only sensible to have a "backup wpn"

War_Antique SG

Mine doesn't. Anyway it's okay...mine clip was broken too. Have to improvised with a paper clip.

War_Antique SG

My experiences?? It's too much to say over here. It was an overall fantastic experiences. I am fortunate enough to work with other nations up close. It's amazing to observe and learn their style and culture, be it good or bad.

Singapore has actually come a lot way when we first started. We are able to blend in easily into the working culture of the other nations, partly due to our spoken language and efficient working culture.

Timor Leste is a very beautiful country. Those flying times on the helicopters were fantastic. The hueys were like our taxis and buses, fetching the peacekeepers all over the place.

We have a few scare here and there, but most were false alarm. It's very peaceful over there.

I think it will be better if you ask me questions.

wuming78 SG

perhaps u can start wif some context - ur rank, apptment, unit (?)

den when u went and when u came back

den the trg u all went thru normally and to prep for peacekeeping.

den things u all do there (those things shown on tv can say rite?) interesting experiences.

o cos omit those sensitive parts. Wink

Temujin SG

Yes paperclip is good for security as the retention lanyard is not a good security feature. Rolling Eyes

Tactical Lanyard

Laplace SG

War_Antique,

How would you rate the ADF in terms of competence, professionalism and proficency? Their operations in E. Timor os called Operation Citadel right?

I visited a forum frequented by our neigbours up north and they had some very rude comments about the Aussies, I'd like to hear your opinion.

Fairyland SG

Yes! Please share with us your opinion of Singapore's forces versus the Aussies. I know they don't see us 'up' even when we superior weapons and maybe organisation?

Laplace SG

Now, now. That is not my intention, not to see which service is better. I merely sought to enrich my knowledge of the ADF especially they are the ones running the show in E. Timor.

Fairyland SG

Well that's not my intention too. Just wanted to know if SAF measure up to their expectations. When I visited their forums, I get the sense that they somehow do not see SAF as a 'serious fighting force' for lack of a proper term.

But when they occassionally bring up our weapon systems, they do acknowledge the specs as superior.

But as a war fighting organisation......not there yet. But then I maybe too sensitive.

foxtrout8 SG

Australia have one of the smallest fighting force for a developed country. Their airforce is not even big enough to defend all their key cities. They rely on US as a strategic balance to counter-balance growing threat from developing military powers such as China and India. They also rely on their geographical isolation and mass to deter foreign military ambitions.

Somehow but strange , many forumners view ADF as a very potent force. Perhaps it is because Australian forces had been present in almost all major battles in the past 60 years.

Fairyland SG

Maybe we are missing something .......SAF as an organisation has not been baptised yet. But somehow it doesn't seem to matter. At least in the eyes of the local media......with their hype on the edge that technology gives us. Sometimes I believe it too!

Temujin SG

Actually we did, 2 SIR in Johor and the Indonesian Konfrontation.

Fairyland SG

But those guys are either ambassadors now or driving taxis, right?!

A very long lull in between.

Laplace SG

Aye. Local media tend to attach their bias when they deliver information. At times they can lose their creditability and objectivity.

War_Antique SG

perhaps u can start wif some context - ur rank, apptment, unit (?)

of course not. Apologies for that.

den when u went and when u came back

went there as the last rotation. came back recently only. Being there longer than planned.

den the trg u all went thru normally and to prep for peacekeeping.

Pre-course was thorough. Fibua, ranges, technical handling of SAR21 and pistol, lots of lectures on country, lectures/practicals on first aid, do's and don'ts in the country, general admin like allowances etc.

den things u all do there (those things shown on tv can say rite?) interesting experiences.

I did a lot of planning and was able to see a lot of the overall picture. Recieved info - assessed situation and threat - true or false alarm? - if true, activate planning - write orders - activate plan and orders - log all actions and correspondence - gain and present overall situation/actions/awareness - lesson learnt.

I don't do those ground work. Those shown on TV are the troopers. They carry out our orders. Most of those activities shown on tv are blue hat patrols or CMA activities.

Life is very routine over here. Over time, you feel pretty down. That's when the holidays and vocation play a part to increase your morale. To pass time quickly, i developed a daily routine. Morning wake up, eat breakfast. After bfast, check mail, check PDA for outstanding tasks, do the tasks, after shift/duty - jog/gym, dinner, after dinner, evening brief to commander, after brief, watch movie, sleep. That's it. Nothing spectacular. Nothing grand. I do travel quite a bit, to the junction pts and to the capital. Tat's when i see the spectacular view from the top.
My best achievement? Climb the highest mountain in Timor Leste at 2968m. Bloody cold up there. I tot my fingers gonna dropped off anytime.

Lastly, i took plenty of pics. Brought a compact canon v2 and a SLR-like fujifilm S602Z there. Oh..i think singaporeans are well known for their gadgets over there.

o cos omit those sensitive parts. Wink

yes i will.

War_Antique SG

How would you rate the ADF in terms of competence, professionalism and proficency? Their operations in E. Timor os called Operation Citadel right?

How did you know the name of their operation?
The ADF is a very professional army. Learn many things from them. They have gone thru many operations all over the world, which will put them one up above us.

I won't go into ratings or details, but the things that left a lasting impression on me were
1) Their rank structure. Their spec progress from pte, cpl, sgt, wo1 then wo2. Each of the rank last quite a number of yrs. All the ranks are very proficient and competent in their job areas - professionalism. A cpl can stand up and give a fantastic presentation to a 2 star general.
2) War stories. Happened to make friend with a pte who went thru somalia. Another one was a captain, who left the army as a RSM and became a mercenary, then came back to work in the army cos his wife prefer him to settle down into a much peaceful job. Their war stories were amazing. I took the chance to ask them how it felt to be shot at and to kill ppl.
3) Superb commanders. Their leaders are true leaders. Examplery conduct and performance, admired and respected by all. Every single one of their platoon commanders can outrun most of our local officers. In fact, everyone of them love running. When they punish their men, they do the punishment together. Not wayang, but it's part of their culture.

I visited a forum frequented by our neigbours up north and they had some very rude comments about the Aussies, I'd like to hear your opinion.

May i know the URL of this forum? I cannot deny that some aussies, like some black sheeps, will definitely have the arrogant white man attitude.

War_Antique SG

they like our SAR21 after firing them. I was cross trained in their styer. They like our P226 too. Very smooth they would say.

I won't say which is better. Both army got a lot to learn from each other. I would say they have a small army and most of them have a wealth of combat experiences.

War_Antique SG

Originally posted by Fairyland:
[b]

When I visited their forums, I get the sense that they somehow do not see SAF as a 'serious fighting force' for lack of a proper term.

But when they occassionally bring up our weapon systems, they do acknowledge the specs as superior.

b]

Can you show me where you read this?

Fairyland SG

www.strategypage.com

www.warship1.com

There's another one mentioned here in this forum b4......I think it's called Asia Pacific Defence Forum?

Singapore rarely mentioned nowadays. Some ppl would try to start a thread now and then but .......

But you are right, they like our 'gadgets' don't they?[/url]

War_Antique SG

hmm..can’t find any postings on singapore.

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