Armed and ready to protect vital areas
-
Specially trained soldiers take over protection of strategic places
By David Boey
Defence Correspondent
AFTER eight months of specialised training, a battalion of infantrymen is now ready to protect such strategic Singapore places as Changi Airport, and Jurong Island with its chemical plants.
Soldiers from the 6th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR), began their mission last month, taking over the patrols of other SAF soldiers who had been guarding these places since the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
The 6 SIR is the SAF's first 'protection of installations' battalion, said the December edition of Pioneer, the monthly magazine of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Its commanding officer, Major Kong Kam Yean, said the training in homeland security the soldiers received had been intensive. The lessons ranged from how to recognise home-made bombs and booby traps, to managing civilians in moments of crisis.
They had to undergo surveillance exercises to detect intruders, plus drills to test their ability to protect strategic places against saboteurs.
One of the major challenges facing his men is having to operate in a largely civilian environment, where 'our enemy is not easily identified'. It is a new role, quite unlike the 'conventional hot-war scenario'.
And as the soldiers are armed with firepower in places frequented by civilians, such as the airport's passenger terminals, each 6 SIR soldier knows 'comprehensive rules of engagement' governing the use of force in different situations, said Major Kong.
However, amid carrying out their homeland security missions, the battalion's full-time National Servicemen and regulars also maintain combat capabilities which other SAF infantry units possess.
Major Kong expressed confidence that his 'well-trained' men could stand up to the elusive enemy.
'They are thinking soldiers, able to deal with civilians confidently and look for things that are 'out of place'.'
The training and deployment of the new SAF unit is the latest in a series of measures taken by various defence agencies to harden Singapore's defences.
--ST -
6SIR
High Class RP?
-
i still dont think it can stop Soviet Elite Forces and Sucide Bombers.....
-
If they can stop you and just you alone, its quite a feat, and I think its certainly more than enough.Originally posted by ceecookie:i still dont think it can stop Soviet Elite Forces and Sucide Bombers..... -
well. they have been trained to handle certain subversive operations, and of course, having zero experience, we will never know if they are up to mark - and i hope we will never need to find out.Originally posted by ceecookie:i still dont think it can stop Soviet Elite Forces and Sucide Bombers.....
the first and foremost role of these soldiers is in-line with our national defence policy - that of deterrence. we naturally hope that with the specialised training and focus put on such operations, potential trouble-makers would think twice before doing anything, and perhaps be motivated not to act at all.
so it really doesnt matter if they cannot match up to the soviet elite forces (which, btw, are probably not even within our concern). as for suicide bombers, it is a matter of balancing operational readiness with risk - since the modus operandi of these madmen is never constant, one can never be fully ready for them. are we going to wait and train until we are 100% sure our guys are ready, or do we balance the risk and deploy them once they are mabbe 95% or even 90% ready? its a political call. -
all these above are RP's specialities.Originally posted by wuming78They had to undergo surveillance exercises to detect intruders, plus drills to test their ability to protect strategic places against saboteurs.
each 6 SIR soldier knows 'comprehensive rules of engagement' governing the use of force in different situations.
able to deal with civilians confidently and look for things that are 'out of place.'
-
It's a good start.At leas we are showing signs that we place importance on a versatile force which has elements trained for differing situations as demanded by international risks and situations.
-
Anytime can enlighten me on why the Police Force's KINS units aren't deployed for these jobs?
-
wtf is soviet elite forcesOriginally posted by ceecookie:i still dont think it can stop Soviet Elite Forces and Sucide Bombers..... -
Then what is PDF's role? I thot they are performing POI duties as well.
Peace time ----> 6 SIR
War time ------> PDF??? -
from armynewsInteractive
6 SIR Turns Operational
Our Army has taken a decisive step forward in its transformation journey. To create better mission responsiveness and a high-readiness core, the 6th Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment (6 SIR) was designated to be the first Protection of Installations (POI) battalion, vigilant round the clock. A new chapter in 6 SIRÂ’s history began as the unit held its turn-operational parade at Maju Camp on 19 November.
At the parade, Chief of Army, MG Desmond Kuek and many senior commanders witnessed as Commander of 2nd PeopleÂ’s Defence Force, BG Tay Swee Yee, declared 6 SIR operational. The soldiers of 6 SIR also put up an impression display of their operational proficiency acquired after months of specialised training.
6 SIR will work round the clock and enhance security at four key civilian installations – Changi Airport, Jurong Island, Sembawang Wharf and Exxon-Mobil. The men, rigorously trained in rules of engagement, will have the capability to deal with higher security threats when needed.
Commander of 6 SIR, MAJ Kong Kam Yean, said, “This will be a new challenge for the battalion. We do not have guiding posts to look for, our enemies will always have new tactics. We must learn to leap ahead, and be able to fight tomorrow’s war with tomorrow’s strategy and tomorrow’s tactics. That is what we are trained to do, and Singaporeans can now be more assured knowing there is a dedicated force that can carry out its mission of protecting installations well.” -
they were but now 6sir take over liao... but tink they felt better to hv fulltime ppl doing the duties there... more familiar etc... was there few mths ago...Originally posted by zenmaster:Then what is PDF's role? I thot they are performing POI duties as well.
Peace time ----> 6 SIR
War time ------> PDF???
-
PDF are using those very old weapons right? while 6SIR are using more newer equipment.
-
if u consider m16 old then yes...Originally posted by Gordonator:PDF are using those very old weapons right? while 6SIR are using more newer equipment. -
Wonder what PDF is tasked to do now? Anyway, my unit is standing down soon.
-
You're 1PDF huh?
-
Depends - 1st or 2nd PDF? There are many battalions in the 2 PDF commands - some doing coastal defense, protection of installations, ...................etc, etc.Originally posted by zenmaster:Wonder what PDF is tasked to do now? Anyway, my unit is standing down soon. -
they should expen the SOF under 1st commando, let more unit send their key appointment holder to attend the latest cousre.
last ICT we even need to positive feedback to trainer wheather their trainer topic relavent or not, as these people alway learn on book only, on that day we make a 2 bar to jump up and down from 5 ton tail gate, and we make him roll and take fire position as demo -
That would make SOF a publicly visible unit like any regular commandos then..Originally posted by zaxis:they should expen the SOF under 1st commando, let more unit send their key appointment holder to attend the latest cousre.
last ICT we even need to positive feedback to trainer wheather their trainer topic relavent or not, as these people alway learn on book only, on that day we make a 2 bar to jump up and down from 5 ton tail gate, and we make him roll and take fire position as demo -
actually the best way for Mindef to cut down cost of guns is to replace the M16 with the Automatik Kalashikov Assault Rifle Series 47
-
Yep.Originally posted by LazerLordz:You're 1PDF huh? -
6 sir is now a 4coy unit
next year increases to 8coy -
correct me if i'm wrong. 6SIR is a new Battalion right? or does it exsist a long time ago but now turn to protecting key Installations?
-
no. 6 sir has been around. it only converted to a POI bn recently.Originally posted by Gordonator:correct me if i'm wrong. 6SIR is a new Battalion right? or does it exsist a long time ago but now turn to protecting key Installations? -
sorry ppl, been out to the GOld Coast over the christmas wkend, read abt the tsunamis and the latest happenings in Sg just now, read tat SAF has handed out new webbing, similar to those posted by Mr Gordon at th 3G exhibtion recently ? hm..wonder do a reservist get to change that ? it looks much better to use than our old SBO ..Originally posted by wuming78:no. 6 sir has been around. it only converted to a POI bn recently.
So the spartans has become a POI Bn, gd for them ..facny having to guard Jurong Island till they ORD ..hahaa...i nearly went mad protecting JI just for 1 mth ...