Singapore Guards
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Singapore Guards | |
|---|---|
 Singapore Guards Official Emblem |
|
| Active | January 1975 - Present |
| Country | Singapore |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Airborne operations, Direct Action, Raids, Unconventional Warfare |
| Size | Three battalions |
| Part of | HQ Guards |
| Garrison/HQ | Bedok Camp II Complex (1 Guards, 3 Guards) Dieppe Barracks (HQ Guards) |
| Nickname | Guards |
| Motto | Ready to Strike |
| Decorations | None as a whole, though its battalions have received Best Combat Unit and Best Infantry Unit awards from the President after conducting military exercises. |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Brig. Gen. Goh Kee Nguan |
| Notable commanders |
Col. D.R. Jambu, Col. Kwan Yue Yeong, Col. Nelson Yau Thain Hock |
In the Singapore Armed Forces, the Guards is an elite infantry unit specializing in rapid deployment. In addition, they have also received special forces-level training.
The unit traces its roots back to the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade. The battalion has actively been involved in several National and Army Day events since the establishment of the modern Guards unit.
Contents |
[edit] History
The regiment was initially formed in 1975 as the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, with a total personnel strength of four officers and five Other Ranks. In early 1976, the Brigade took control of the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Singapore Infantry Regiment and the Infantry Training Depot, being declared operational in July. At this time, the ITD was replaced by the Singapore Armed Forces Guard Unit.
In 1977, it was decided to make 7SIB into an elite formation; the SAFGU was renamed as the 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards. A year later, 8SIR became the 2nd Battalion. With the award of elite status, 7SIR was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Brigade in 1978, leaving 7SIB consisting of:
- 1st Guards Battalion
- 2nd Guards Battalion (Disbanded)
- 1st Commando Battalion
- 10th Commando Battalion (Disbanded)
- School of Commando Training
This make-up lasted until 1980, when it was decided to make 7SIB into an all guards formation. The Commando units were transferred out, and 7SIR returned, being renamed 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards. The three battalions received their first Colours in 1983. All Guardsmen wear a "Guards" Tab on their left shoulder sleeve. The Khaki Beret was presented to the Guards Formation on 9th June 1994 in recognition of the Guards' elite status. While the infantry green beret was worn with the Cap Badge Backing previously, all Guardsmen have since donned their distinctive Guards Khaki Beret with a deep sense of pride.
[edit] Role
As an elite battalion, the unit is called to fight in certain areas, such as urban locations with FIBUA and FOFO (Fighting On Fortified Objectives ) tactics. The Guards also seize important objectives, such as airfields, depots and strongholds, so as to establish a foothold for the rest of the army.
[edit] Training
The Guards are infantry soldiers who are proficient in helicopter operations. All Guardsmen are taught and trained to be comfortable working with helicopters. They are proficient in Terminal Air Guidance, in the setting up of landing sites as well as communicating with the pilots.
To ensure that Guardsmen are able to land in any conditions, they are taught the normal emplaning and deplaning drills, all Guardsmen are able to execute hover-jump, heli-rapelling, and fast-rope down, in full battle order. The specialised skills that Guardsmen possess are vital to the SAF as they add a new dimension to the modern battlefield.
To achieve such high standards, trainees are put through some of the most rigorous training within the Singapore Armed Forces. To be worthy of adorning the much sought-after "Guards" shoulder tab and the Khaki beret, trainees have to go through the gruelling Guards Officers Conversion Course for officers and Guards Specialist Conversion Course for Specialists. The men go through the Guards Advanced Continuation Training (GACT) to earn their mark as Guardsmen. These conversion courses signify the conversion from regular infantry to the elite Guardsmen and push every soldier physically and mentally to the limit. Only those who qualify will be given the right to be called a "Guardsmen", wearing the coveted khaki beret.
Part of the conversion requires the soldier to undergo a timed 12 km fast march, a 2 km coastal swim and an advanced obstacle course known as the Guards Assault Course (GAC). The GAC is a team course that requires the group of soldiers to swim 50 meters, to climb a high tower, repel down and complete a 5 km run with a standard SAF obstacle course and carry an "injured" teammate on a stretcher for the last 1.5 kilometers. The entire course is done in full battle order (FBO) with packs packed with sandbags to reach the required weight requirement. Guardsmen are also required to maintain a strict physical fitness regime throughout their careers.
The Guards are trained to be inserted and extracted from the combat zone by helicopter, hence the term "heliborne". They can do this either by rapid disembarkation while the helicopter is landing, or by "rappelling" (descending by rope while the helicopter hovers) and fast roping straight into battle zones, or onto rooftops. As a nice landing area may not always be available, the Guards have to master many kinds of rappelling from cliffs and buildings. In one method, they come down a cliff head-downwards. In case they are wounded in a leg and cannot use their legs to brace themselves against the cliff face, they also learn to come down with their backs facing the cliff, and also in a stretcher. Another dangerous method, but at times necessary for a fast and decisive strike, would be "running" down a cliff. This method is known as the "Australian rappel".
Guards are also specialised in seaborne assault such as coastal hook, which is an offensive manoeuvre initiated by army forces and executed by forces embarked in surface water craft using the coastal sea or river as an axis of movement, to outflank the enemy in order to accomplish the assigned tactical mission.
[edit] Gear
[edit] Weapons
The Guards utilize all small arms known to be in use with the Singaporean army, such as the SAR-21 assault rifle family, the Ultimax 100 Mark 3 LMG and the Matador anti-tank rocket launcher.
[edit] Vehicles
Apart from the helicopters, the Guards also utilize The Light Strike Vehicle (LSV), a lightweight vehicle that is extremely mobile and agile, was procured by the Army to replace the jeeps carrying the 106mm recoiless guns. Manufactured in Australia based on an American design, the vehicle is able to access difficult terrain, and provide greater mobility and added firepower to the Guardsmen and Infantry soldiers. Weighing 1,500 kg, the LSV can be rapidly deployed by underslinging it with a helicopter and inserting it into enemy territory.
This vehicle, which functions with an automatic gear, can go to more places than normal wheeled vehicles, for example, cross-country, going into closed terrain, pushing down trees. Even in muddy areas, this vehicle is able to negotiate through better than the normal Jeeps and Landrovers.
[edit] LSV Capabilities
The LSV actually allows for different weapon configurations. It can be mounted with other weapon systems such as the 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) or the advanced Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). The latest addition to the LSV armament is the Israeli SPIKE ATGM, giving the Guards the capability to destroy tanks at a 4km range. Fitting the LSV with an Infra-Red adaptor gives it night vision capabilities, too.
[edit] Speed and Efficiency
The LSV, which can move at a maximum speed of 110 km/h, significantly enhances the mobility of the foot soldiers. The soldiers can now bring heavier and better firepower systems into operations. With the help of the Light Strike Vehicle, the Guardsmen are able to move faster than ever before, and with more potent firepower.
[edit] Guard Symbols
Ready To Strike - Motto of Guards, to be ever prepared to strike against enemy forces
The Wings - Represent the guards heliborne capabilities
Bayonet & Laurel - Symbols of guards superior skills as infantry soldiers
Gold Color Foreground - Loyalty to the nation, devotion to duty and dedication to the task set before us
Maroon Backdrop - Brotherhood and esprit de crops within the formation
