Singapore Guards
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Singapore Guards | |
|---|---|
 Singapore Guards Official Emblem |
|
| Active | January 1975 - Present |
| Country | Singapore |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Air Assault, Direct Action, Raids |
| Size | Two 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 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
COL Tung Yui Fai |
| Notable commanders |
Col. D.R. Jambu[1], Col. Kwan Yue Yeong, BG Goh Kee Nguan, Col. Nelson Yau Thain Hock |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
Guards Tab, Khaki Beret with cap badge |
In the Singapore Armed Forces, the Guards are an elite infantry formation specializing in rapid deployment.
The formation traces its roots back to the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade and has been actively involved in several National and Army Day events since the establishment of the modern Guards unit.
Contents |
[edit] History
The formation was initially formed in 1st Jan 1975 as the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, with a total personnel strength of four officers and five Other Ranks[1]. 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[1]. At this time, the ITD was replaced by the Singapore Armed Forces Guard Unit.[1]
On 1st July 1977, the SAFGU was renamed as the 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards. A year later on 1st April 1978, 8SIR became the 2nd Battalion[2]. 7SIB was officially accorded Elite Status on 1st April 1978. 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[2]. 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 formation, the brigade is called to fight in certain areas, such as urban locations with FIBUA (Fighting in Built Up Areas)[3] and FOFO (Fighting On Fortified Objectives)[4] 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[5]. 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[5]. 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[5]. 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 "Guardsman", 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, rappel down a tower 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[5]. As a nice landing area may not always be available, the Guards have to master many kinds of rappelling from cliffs and buildings[6]. 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[6]. 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"[7].
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] Equipment
[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[8], FN MAG[8], M203[8], 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 procured by the Army to replace the jeeps which formerly carried their 106mm recoilless guns[9]. 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[9]. Weighing 1,500 kg, the LSV can be rapidly deployed by slinging it underneath a helicopter and inserting it into enemy territory.
The LSV, which functions with an automatic gear, can go to more places than normal wheeled vehicles; for example, cross-country, going into closed terrain, capable of pushing down small brush and trees. Even in muddy areas the LSV is able to negotiate the conditions better than other vehicles like 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)[10]. 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 as well[9].
[edit] Speed and Efficiency
The LSV, which can move at a maximum speed of 110 km/h[10], 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] Symbols of the Guards
Ready To Strike - Motto of Guards, to be ever prepared to strike against enemy forces[11]
The Wings - Represent the guards heliborne capabilities
Bayonet & Laurel - Symbols of guards superior skills as infantry soldiers[11]
Gold Color Foreground - Loyalty to the nation, devotion to duty and dedication to the task set before us[11]
Maroon Backdrop - Brotherhood and esprit de corps within the formation[11]
Khaki Beret - Instituted on 9th June 1994 as a mark of Distinction as Guardsmen Vocationalists.
Beret Backing - Presented on 6th August 1979 as a symbol of the Guards' status as Elite infantry Soldiers. It is worn by everyone who is currently serving within the formation.
Guards Tab - On 23rd June 1989, BG(NS) Boey Tak Hup, presented the Guards Tab to 7SIB. Worn on the left sleeve to identify the soldier with skill sets unique to Guardsmen soldiers.
Stable Belt - Presented on 31st July 1980 to the men of 7SIB by LG(Ret) Winston Choo (then MG and CGS). It used to be worn with the Temasek Green uniforms but was respectively withdrawn from service when the new camoflauge uniforms were introduced.
[edit] Guards Creed
The Guard's Creed details the values and motto of the Guards Formation "Ready To Strike" It also showcases the rapid deployment nature of the Guards formation as well as the Elite Status conferred upon them.
| “ |
WE are GUARDSMAN WARRIORS. Land warriors from Air and Sea, We are ELITE warriors, |
” |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 1. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b . Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 2. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ Unofficial Singapore Guards FIBUA Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ Unofficial Singapore Guards FOFO Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Official MINDEF Guards Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Unofficial Singapore Guards Rappelling and Roping Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ 1980 - Singapore Guards - Elite Warriors of the SAF. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b c Unofficial Singapore Guards Weapons Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b c Unofficial Singapore Guards LSV Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Equipment Page, Official MINDEF Guards Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Motto/Insignia Section, Official MINDEF Guards Page. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
- ^ Unofficial Singapore Guards Creed Page. Retrieved on January 8, 2008.
[edit] External links
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