Introduction

In an impressive display of military cooperation, around 800 soldiers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the US Marine Corps successfully concluded their annual bilateral exercise, known as Exercise Valiant Mark, on March 26. This year's exercise featured a dynamic urban assault scenario that challenged the capabilities of both forces.

Exercise Details

Kicking off on March 17, Exercise Valiant Mark involved 600 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards and the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (SIB), alongside approximately 200 Marines from the Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA). The collaborative training aimed to strengthen the relationship between these two military powerhouses.

Training Activities

Throughout the exercise, soldiers engaged in a variety of activities designed to enhance operational readiness. These included professional exchanges, live weapons firing, and heliborne training. As the exercise neared its conclusion, participants executed a major urban operations mission that showcased the skills developed during this intensive training period.

Live-Firing Event

One highlight of the exercise was a live-firing event held on March 21 at Nee Soon Range. Here, SAF soldiers and US Marines demonstrated their adaptability by using each other’s weapons systems – the SAF guardsmen tested the M27 infantry automatic rifle, while the Marines operated SAF’s SAR-21 rifle. This exchange not only built familiarity with different weaponry but also fostered a greater understanding between troops.

Urban Combat Scenario

On March 26, the training continued at Safti City in Lim Chu Kang, uniting the forces for a challenging urban combat scenario. Soldiers transitioned from forested areas into an urban training complex, transported by helicopter. The action-packed day culminated with a coordinated urban assault, where troops worked side by side to clear buildings of simulated enemy forces.

Joint Strike Observer Mission

In a further illustration of combined training, teams participated in a joint strike observer mission at Safti City, calling in simulated air strikes to neutralize enemy positions. This exercise underscored the importance of collaboration in modern warfare, demonstrating how integrated operations can enhance mission effectiveness.

Remarks from Commanding Officers

Lieutenant-Colonel Mohamad Fahrul Saaid, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, emphasized the significance of Exercise Valiant Mark for trust-building and interoperability. He noted that the Safti City facility provided a unique challenge, enriching the training experience. "This enhances our training realism and improves the interoperability not just within our unit but also with our military partners," he stated.

Insights from US Marines

Major Karl Hu, the lead planner for the US Marines during the exercise, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the valuable insights gained about mission planning differences and similarities between the SAF and US Marines.

Building Bonds

Throughout the duration of the exercise, the Marines and SAF soldiers established strong personal bonds, engaging in overnight stays at Bedok Camp and solidifying friendships that go beyond the battlefield.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony at Safti City was a fitting end to the exercise, attended by Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth Lee and Colonel Stuart Glenn, leaders who underscored the cool camaraderie achieved during the training.

Enduring Defense Relationship

Mindef noted that Exercise Valiant Mark, which has been ongoing since 1991, exemplifies the enduring and robust defense relationship between Singapore and the United States. Along with bilateral exercises like Valiant Mark, both militaries participate in various multilateral exercises, professional exchanges, and training courses.

Strategic Partnership

Singapore remains an essential partner for the US in the region, supporting rotational deployments of US littoral combat ships and P-8 Poseidon aircraft. These ongoing collaborations not only enhance military interoperability but also cultivate lasting friendships among service members from both nations.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more updates as these forces prepare for their next big challenge, proving yet again that partnership is the key to military success!