Wargame at Pulau Sudong
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MINISTER FOR DEFENCE OBSERVES INTEGRATED SAF EXERCISE
The new Minister for Defence, Rear-Admiral (RADM) (NS) Teo Chee Hean, observed a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) exercise on Pulau Sudong today. He was accompanied by Minister of State for Defence, Mr Cedric Foo, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Defence, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, Permanent Secretary for Defence, Mr Peter Ho, and the Chief of Defence Force, Major-General Ng Yat Chung.
Codenamed Vigilance, the exercise featured the recapture of an offshore island which had been taken by an enemy force. The Minister for Defence first watched two commando platoons rappelling from RSAF UH-1H and Super Puma helicopters and landing on Pulau Sudong using Zodiac boats. This was followed by infantry troops, M113 armoured vehicles and Light Strike Vehicles disembarking from waves of RSN fast craft to secure the beachhead. The Army forces then advanced inland to recapture the airstrip from the enemy. At the airstrip, RADM (NS) Teo saw a Chinook helicopter airlifting light artillery to support the operation. Two Super Puma helicopters also delivered additional logistics supplies to the SAF task force while the Chinook evacuated simulated casualties.
Exercise Vigilance involved regulars, Full-Time National Servicemen and Operationally-Ready NSmen, and demonstrated the SAFÂ’s operational readiness and proficiency in conducting integrated operations. -
Are you sure such info can be released to the public??? what is the security classification for this piece of info??
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Are you sure such info can be released to the public??? what is the security classification for this piece of info??
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Hmmm..i always thought the job of securing the beachhead is left to 'tripwires' or naval commando version of pathfinders?
Now with the SAF's new submarine capability, i think the method of insertion has become more interesting.
Btw, the mindef website has a short video clip of the exercise, which involves an armoured amphibious assault on the island. You'll need a windows media player to view
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/display.asp?number=1870 -
No worries mate...this news is splashed on mindef site and CNA. Classification: unrestrictedOriginally posted by NeonTetra:Are you sure such info can be released to the public??? what is the security classification for this piece of info??
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this is the 1st time I come across an official statement about the 'airstrip'
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its really nothing big. jus a landing/taking off spot for helicopters. if u haf heli-ops u have airstrip.Originally posted by cavsg:this is the 1st time I come across an official statement about the 'airstrip' -
Frm the pictures it looks like a 800m runway and fully functional contorl tower....Anyway frm the miw website it says the commandos went in 1st then infantryOriginally posted by wuming78:its really nothing big. jus a landing/taking off spot for helicopters. if u haf heli-ops u have airstrip. -
That's good.Originally posted by IAF:No worries mate...this news is splashed on mindef site and CNA. Classification: unrestricted -
Its a routine exercise - except this time, there was a new defense minister visiting and the press covering it.
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As we all know, the RSAF frequently bomb up some of these places and have personnel on the ground to 'verify' hits and misses...so i guess one of the reasons (other than heli-ops) the islands have airstrips is to ferry these personnel in and out via helicopterOriginally posted by cavsg:this is the 1st time I come across an official statement about the 'airstrip'
Pulau Sodong, Pawai, Senang....all sound like exotic unspoilt tropical beaches. Anyway, these being military playgrounds, i won't be surprise if 'illegal immigrants' from foreign neighbours have 'stumbled' onto them
i also recall there was a time on sunday nites when the tv news would show video clips - a weekly routine announcing military activities on these islands and warn the public to keep clear...but not nowzadaz
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cavsg is right that this is the first time theres been official mention of an airstrip in Sudong. However a few years ago CRISP published a satellite photo of Singapore which was reprinted in the Straits Times, and in the bottom corner of the photo, a runway can clearly be seen in Sudong. East-West orientation, relatively short.
IIRC all the other runways in Singapore were also not edited out from the photo, as was the usual practice. -
those who were or r in da RSAF shld know tat theres an air strip in sudong
its no secret 2 them -
pulua sudong by right got airstrip one mah... during the ex-carat.. been there taken their super pumas from their airstrip.. cool..
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commandos will always go in first to open the back door.Originally posted by |-|05|:Frm the pictures it looks like a 800m runway and fully functional contorl tower....Anyway frm the miw website it says the commandos went in 1st then infantry
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The airstrip was there years ago, then the airstrip was not operational, my troops & I have actually walk across it during the battlelion live firing in Sudong.
I think the best beach in SG is in Sudong , practically the whole island is one big sand beach, coconut trees everywhere.If we turn it into resort island, it is even better than Sentosa & some other island in the region. -
Remembered something while reading the article. RADM Teo as Mindef boss? i tot last time the policy is have some guy with civilian background to be Minister. . . not a former chief of navy. . .
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if we turn sudong into a resort it will jus become as developed as sentosa - and become another sentosa! singaporeans tend to like to overkill.Originally posted by gary1910:The airstrip was there years ago, then the airstrip was not operational, my troops & I have actually walk across it during the battlelion live firing in Sudong.
I think the best beach in SG is in Sudong , practically the whole island is one big sand beach, coconut trees everywhere.If we turn it into resort island, it is even better than Sentosa & some other island in the region. -
the 'airstrip' is the place where every year the NDP flag is raised and flown to national stadium. its more of a runway then 'airstrip'. i've come across emergency procedures for fighters to land there and i was told years ago that an a-4 did made an emergency landing there. the place have arrestor wires if my memory is correct. i dun know the status of it now if its still operational as an emergency runway. its suppose to be classified i guess, so till today then i share with everyone my knowledge of it. i knew it existed back in 96/97 when it was just builded from a pilot who was preparing a briefing on it. in 97 i saw it from the air when the c-130 i was in flew past it.
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For the sake of the discussion of tactics among deskstop 'generals'....in this day and age, would you as a military commander still mount an amphibious attack on an island to dislodge the enemy. Don't you find the use of relatively slow and vulnerable assault boats (sorry i forgot the correct term for those vessels) to ferry the troops no different from how it was done during WWII? Something is not right. Surely there's a better way of doing it. I feel such an approach is potentially costly in terms of casualties.
Again for the sake of pure discussion, perhaps a more economical and efficient way would be to invest in fast-moving hovercrafts, that not only carry more troops at once and overcome obstacles like mines, but also provide the needed 'shock' effect
by virtue of its awesome speed and size? -
May be Singapore got no money to buy hovercrafts. Given the present economic situation.Originally posted by IAF:For the sake of the discussion of tactics among deskstop 'generals'....in this day and age, would you as a military commander still mount an amphibious attack on an island to dislodge the enemy. Don't you find the use of relatively slow and vulnerable assault boats (sorry i forgot the correct term for those vessels) to ferry the troops no different from how it was done during WWII? Something is not right. Surely there's a better way of doing it. I feel such an approach is potentially costly in terms of casualties.
Again for the sake of pure discussion, perhaps a more economical and efficient way would be to invest in fast-moving hovercrafts, that not only carry more troops at once and overcome obstacles like mines, but also provide the needed 'shock' effect by virtue of its awesome speed and size?
Just my lousy opinion. -
Actually , the fast craft isnt as slow as wat u might be thinking and the fast craft will certianly be able to eat more lead than the hovercraft.Originally posted by IAF:For the sake of the discussion of tactics among deskstop 'generals'....in this day and age, would you as a military commander still mount an amphibious attack on an island to dislodge the enemy. Don't you find the use of relatively slow and vulnerable assault boats (sorry i forgot the correct term for those vessels) to ferry the troops no different from how it was done during WWII? Something is not right. Surely there's a better way of doing it. I feel such an approach is potentially costly in terms of casualties.
Again for the sake of pure discussion, perhaps a more economical and efficient way would be to invest in fast-moving hovercrafts, that not only carry more troops at once and overcome obstacles like mines, but also provide the needed 'shock' effect by virtue of its awesome speed and size?
The SAF had been toying with the Tiger40 hovercraft for quite a long time and ST have the capability to mass produce the Tiger40 if the demand is there. One shortcoming of hovercrafts is their vulnerability to infantry weapon.
The key for 'safe' Amphibous landing is on how much support u have. I will be sure that if the enemy will to take that island , there will be some kind of dugout for them to defend that perimeter. Thus i believe a CAP will be required.
When the defenders positions are bomb outside in , inside out , i believe there will be lesser casualties , thus it is not really abt wat craft u take but wat support u have..... -
U can found a futo on the said 'airstrip' in one the book published mid-80 for the public on SAF's .....anniversary. It was featured on the the role of the AOCO vocation. Too bad, i JUST threw that book away to free up the shelves for new addition. 6 years ago, my wife and I got a free ride onboard C-130 and its flight waypoints include over P.Sudong before heading back to PLA.
P.Sudong was indeed beautiful. I had my chance to get on this island via scuba diving trip to P.Jong, situated opp Sudong. Non of the PCGs was around to patrol the area. It was hilarious when a couple of us reach the island, combing the coastline, molested the short coconut trees, imagine that we conducted all these activaties without being spotted. Notes from another users - foreigners landing or illegal activites conduct in vinicity do indeed lead us think abt this intrusion seriously! -
indeed. Again, it's also not hard to picture a kind of super hovercraft (think of a amphibious version of a AC-130 spectre). one that is armoured (lightly perhaps) and armed with vulcan cannons - to provide suppressive fire during landing. Bet there's one at least on the drawing board somewhere.Originally posted by foxtrout8:Actually , the fast craft isnt as slow as wat u might be thinking and the fast craft will certianly be able to eat more lead than the hovercraft.
The SAF had been toying with the Tiger40 hovercraft for quite a long time and ST have the capability to mass produce the Tiger40 if the demand is there. One shortcoming of hovercrafts is their vulnerability to infantry weapon.
The key for 'safe' Amphibous landing is on how much support u have. I will be sure that if the enemy will to take that island , there will be some kind of dugout for them to defend that perimeter. Thus i believe a CAP will be required.
When the defenders positions are bomb outside in , inside out , i believe there will be lesser casualties , thus it is not really abt wat craft u take but wat support u have.....
Anyway, please excuse my shallow layman knowledge...doesn't the hovercraft by virtue of it's superior mobility over water as opposed to a fast assault craft, have the ability to bypass the entrenched defenders' position and actually land and mass troops and armour at the enemy's rear where they are weakest?
I mean..why land right in front of an enemy where he's expecting you? -
indeed. Again, it's also not hard to picture a kind of super hovercraft (think of a amphibious version of a AC-130 spectre).
How big u wan that hovercraft to be?? It must be able fast enough to follow the fleet or if not must be light and small enough to be carry by the LST.one that is armoured (lightly perhaps) and armed with vulcan cannons - to provide suppressive fire during landing. Bet there's one at least on the drawing board somewhere.
I think i know wat hovercraft u are toking abt. The countries such as Russian are operating such hovercrafts however that wont be practical as i doubt it have the ability to follow a fleet . Even the americans are not operating such huge hovercrafts and they do admit that their hovercrafts are vulnerable to infantry weapon thus air support is needed.Anyway, please excuse my shallow layman knowledge...doesn't the hovercraft by virtue of it's superior mobility over water as opposed to a fast assault craft,
For wat i know , the fast craft is fast enough. On top of that , which i had mentioned , the Fast craft can eat more lead than the hovercraft.have the ability to bypass the entrenched defenders' position and actually land and mass troops and armour at the enemy's rear where they are weakest?
Take a beach as a straight line , if the enemy is the strongest at that line , even if the rear is the weakest , u still have to pass that line.I mean..why land right in front of an enemy where he's expecting you?
Sir , u dun have to picture it as Normandy. U wont have to land infront of masses of enemy if the strike aircrafts do a good job. Besides , CAS will be carry out at the same time when u land. It is alot abt coordination....