Ministers who were Ex-Generals
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1983 - Cable Car Tragedy
29 January 1983 - Tragedy struck when the towering structure of a Panamanian-registered oil rig struck the cable of the Sentosa Cable Car and caused two cable cars to plunge into the sea. The disaster happened shortly after 6 pm when the oil rig, which was being towed away from Keppel Wharf, became entangled in the cable and caused it to snap. It also left thirteen people trapped in four other cable cars between Mount Faber and Sentosa.
This accident was the first involving death or injury since the cable car system opened in 1974. A total of seven people died in the cable car tragedy.
This operation involved all the three Services of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The Diving Unit of the Singapore Navy was assigned to conduct the underwater search for the passengers in the two cable cars which had plunged into the sea. It took the unit three hours before they recovered the four bodies from the cable cars. On land, the Army had established an operations HQ and medical facilities at the wharf-side.
The main rescue effort was undertaken the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The 120 Squadron of the RSAF were tasked to rescue the people who were still trapped in the four cable cars as the cars could not be moved along the remaining cables. Though an extremely risky measure, it was considered the fastest and safest way as the cable cars might plunge into the sea at any moment.
Helicopters from the squadron, fitted with floodlights approached one of the cable cars. Despite the strong winds and danger, an airman was winched down. He reached for the door of the cable-car, unlocked it and went inside. He soon came out with the first of the rescued who was strapped to his body by a harness. The winch quickly pulled both of them to safety. This was repeated until all thirteen passengers were brought to safety. The rescue took three and a half hours of risky hovering in darkness and high wind conditions. The competence and daring of the air crew was instrumental in the success of the rescue.
The first person rescued was Mr Allan Gregory Brown, a twenty-year old New Zealander who exclaimed, "Thank you, Singapore!" Another Canadian woman hugged and kissed the winch operator in the helicopter. The recipient of this gratitude, Staff Sergeant Ho Tzu Keng said, "It is worth more than a thousand words."
This daring operation was directed by then COL Lee Hsien Loong, Chief of Staff (General Staff). COL Lee praised the daring young men of the RSAF 120 Squadron for their performance as the operation was difficult and dangerous. He said, "We are relieved ... that we managed to rescue all the people who were stranded on the cable cars. We are proud of the pilots and crewmen who were involved and whose performance made possible the success of the plan." -
If I'm not wrong, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry was a CMO in SAF once..
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Yup, the one behing the Officers' Mess. Always go there for lunch. My office is at HQ, so sometimes lazy to walk all the way to the cookhouse.Originally posted by one-niner:which canteen ? the one behind the Officer's Mess or Ah Seng ? should not be Ah Seng right, i never see BG Neo at Ah Seng..haha..
Not too sure abt his montary behaviour, but a stern,firm and demanding commander, thats what i knew abt him,he is pretty gd runner, i was running AHM back in 2003, when i ran pass him it was already at the 20km mark, and he made it in a pretty gd timing, beating quite a number of men half his age..
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Well said.Originally posted by one-niner:a bowl of hay mee blanja by your Div Comd will go a long way, as the saying goes ...Showmanship, not wayang the first impression is the most important part of the grand show, if your 1st impression gao luck (got power) then the person's impression will be set and everything will be more or less pre determined....
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croco is also a General ...a generalist mi mean
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that wat i was briefed for my ATEC last timeOriginally posted by LazerLordz:Well said. in the presence of external ppl judging you.
i remember once i was umpiring this reservist unit, 8th Mon 3 SIR, the garang men who achieved Best Combat Unit or RedCon 1 (can't remember which award sorry.) They were lead by now COL Sukh Singh last time.Before during their active days. so lots of ppl have this impression that this reseversit unit being through lots of shit and they are gd etc ...
so with all these legends floating ard, it sorts of sets your mind on how the unit is going to perform for their 2nd ATEC in reservist, so it was pretty obvious despite the men smoking during MTC, sitting down etc..these were all brushed aside and the unit still got a high 2A. -
thanks for the flashback. been looking for this article a long now.Originally posted by sgforums_user:
1983 - Cable Car Tragedy29 January 1983 - Tragedy struck when the towering structure of a Panamanian-registered oil rig struck the cable of the Sentosa Cable Car and caused two cable cars to plunge into the sea. The disaster happened shortly after 6 pm when the oil rig, which was being towed away from Keppel Wharf, became entangled in the cable and caused it to snap. It also left thirteen people trapped in four other cable cars between Mount Faber and Sentosa.
This accident was the first involving death or injury since the cable car system opened in 1974. A total of seven people died in the cable car tragedy.
This operation involved all the three Services of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The Diving Unit of the Singapore Navy was assigned to conduct the underwater search for the passengers in the two cable cars which had plunged into the sea. It took the unit three hours before they recovered the four bodies from the cable cars. On land, the Army had established an operations HQ and medical facilities at the wharf-side.
The main rescue effort was undertaken the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The 120 Squadron of the RSAF were tasked to rescue the people who were still trapped in the four cable cars as the cars could not be moved along the remaining cables. Though an extremely risky measure, it was considered the fastest and safest way as the cable cars might plunge into the sea at any moment.
Helicopters from the squadron, fitted with floodlights approached one of the cable cars. Despite the strong winds and danger, an airman was winched down. He reached for the door of the cable-car, unlocked it and went inside. He soon came out with the first of the rescued who was strapped to his body by a harness. The winch quickly pulled both of them to safety. This was repeated until all thirteen passengers were brought to safety. The rescue took three and a half hours of risky hovering in darkness and high wind conditions. The competence and daring of the air crew was instrumental in the success of the rescue.
The first person rescued was Mr Allan Gregory Brown, a twenty-year old New Zealander who exclaimed, "Thank you, Singapore!" Another Canadian woman hugged and kissed the winch operator in the helicopter. The recipient of this gratitude, Staff Sergeant Ho Tzu Keng said, "It is worth more than a thousand words."
This daring operation was directed by then COL Lee Hsien Loong, Chief of Staff (General Staff). COL Lee praised the daring young men of the RSAF 120 Squadron for their performance as the operation was difficult and dangerous. He said, "We are relieved ... that we managed to rescue all the people who were stranded on the cable cars. We are proud of the pilots and crewmen who were involved and whose performance made possible the success of the plan."
quite memorable cos this incident happen at the same year i was born. -
Lim Hng Kiang was also an ex SAF man ... not sure if he attained his star
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hey, just wondering, how much does a BG get paid ah?
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My guess is $13k to $15k a month.
I know a LTC who made around $7400 upon being initially promoted to that rank. -
I think it's much higher than 13-15K..
A LTC's payscale is around 7-10K if I'm not wrong...A jump from a LTC to a COL seems a lot.. -
depends. a BG with appointment and is a doctor will get lots more than any regular BG.Originally posted by snk86:hey, just wondering, how much does a BG get paid ah?
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There's only 1 BG who's a doctor I think?Originally posted by Gordonator:depends. a BG with appointment and is a doctor will get lots more than any regular BG.
The Chief of Medical Corp? Since the Chief Army Medical Service is just a COL.. -
yes u are right. BG(DR) Wong Yue Sie is the only general cum doctor in the SAF. cannot imagine how much he's getting each month.Originally posted by CKtalon:There's only 1 BG who's a doctor I think?
The Chief of Medical Corp? Since the Chief Army Medical Service is just a COL.. -
I found the following info from this link: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/joint/io/Salary.asp
It reveals the pay scale for the SAF Intelligence Officer Scheme, & generally tallies with I suggested a LTC to be earning. Logically, the salary range for a COL or BG should be subsequently increased exponentially by $2.5k-$3k at least.
Starting Gross Salary
The salaries shown below are not inclusive of year-end, performance-based bonuses, or Market Adjusted Allowances (MAA). Diploma Holders are eligible for MAA of $200 per month as a Cadet, and $110 per month as 2nd Lt for a maximum of 12 months. Also, they do not include SAVER contributions.
'A' Level/Diploma
Rank Starting Gross Salary
Officer Cadet Trainee $1, 866 - $2, 354
2nd Lieutenant $1, 941 - $2, 517
Lieutenant $2, 050 - $3, 834
Captain $3, 767 - $5, 924
Major $5, 154 - $8, 408
Lieutenant-Colonel $7, 396 - $10, 005
Graduate
Rank Starting Gross Salary
Officer Cadet Trainee $2, 097 - $2, 904
2nd Lieutenant N/A
Lieutenant $2, 454 - $3, 554
Captain $2, 643 - $5, 924
Major $5, 276 - $8, 632
Lieutenant-Colonel $7, 396 - $10, 005
Graduate with Good Honours
Rank Starting Gross Salary
Officer Cadet Trainee $2,767
2nd Lieutenant N/A
Lieutenant $3, 393 - $3, 917
Captain $3, 981 - $6, 405
Major $6, 198 - $8, 571
Lieutenant-Colonel $7, 396 - $10, 005 -
hmm..PSC/SAF has always tried to link the salary scale to the outside world..and usually for a COL, BG like rank would mean they are at the top of the chain..something close to a Perm Sect in a government ministry..and I doubt that Perm Sects earn less than 20K a month?
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with appointment, their salary will increase a lot more...