- Singapore Guards
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Singapore Guards
caption= Singapore Guards Official Emblem
country=Singapore
allegiance=
branch= Army
type=Infantry
dates= January1975 - Present
specialization=Air Assault , Direct Action, Raids
command_structure= HQ Guards
size=Two battalions
current_commander= BG Tung Yui Fai
garrison=Bedok Camp II Complex (1 Guards, 3 Guards) Dieppe Barracks (HQ Guards)
ceremonial_chief=
nickname= "Guards"
motto= "Ready to Strike"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders= Col. D.R. Jambu [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/tradition2.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 1.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] , Col. Kwan Yue Yeong, BG Goh Kee Nguan, Col. Nelson Yau Thain Hock,
anniversaries=
decorations=
identification_symbol= Guards Tab, Khaki Beret with cap badge
identification_symbol_label=In the
Singapore Armed Forces , the Guards are an eliteinfantry 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.
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 [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/tradition2.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 1.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . In early1976 , the Brigade took control of the 7th and 8th Battalions of theSingapore Infantry Regiment and the Infantry Training Depot, being declared operational in July [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/tradition2.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 1.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . At this time, the ITD was replaced by the Singapore Armed Forces Guard Unit. [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/tradition2.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 1.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.]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. [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/tradition2.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 2.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 7SIB was officially accorded Elite Status on 1st April 1978. With the award of elite status, 7SIR was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Brigade in1978 , 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. TheCommando units were transferred out, and 7SIR returned, being renamed 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/tradition2.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards' History Page 2.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . The three battalions received their first Colours in1983 . 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.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) [ [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Training/FIBUA.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards FIBUA Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] and FOFO (Fighting On Fortified Objectives) [ [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Training/FOFO.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards FOFO Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] 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.Training
The Guards are
infantry soldiers who are proficient inhelicopter operations [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards.html Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 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 [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards.html Introduction, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 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 [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards.html Introduction, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 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 [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards.html Introduction, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . As a nice landing area may not always be available, the Guards have to master many kinds of rappelling from cliffs and buildings [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Training/Rappelling.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards Rappelling and Roping Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 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 [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Training/Rappelling.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards Rappelling and Roping Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 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" [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/history/birth_of_saf/v08n07_history.html 1980 - Singapore Guards - Elite Warriors of the SAF.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] .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.
Equipment
Weapons
The Guards utilize all small arms known to be in use with the Singaporean army, such as the
SAR-21 assault rifle family, theUltimax 100 Mark 3 LMG [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Weapons/Default.html Unofficial Singapore Guards Weapons Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] ,FN MAG [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Weapons/Default.html Unofficial Singapore Guards Weapons Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] , M203 [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Weapons/Default.html Unofficial Singapore Guards Weapons Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] , and the Matador anti-tank rocket launcher.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 [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Weapons/LSV.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards LSV Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . Manufactured inAustralia 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 [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Weapons/LSV.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards LSV Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 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
Jeep s andLand Rover s.In 2008, the Guards formation began to utilize the PLUV(Protected Light Utility Vehicle) which is an armoured version of the
Ford Everest , the Ford Everest is also a replacement vehicle for the aging Land Rovers.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) [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards/Equipment.html Equipment Page, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] . 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 [http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Singapore/Guards/Weapons/LSV.htm Unofficial Singapore Guards LSV Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] .
peed and Efficiency
The LSV, which can move at a maximum speed of 110 km/h [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards/Equipment.html Equipment Page, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.] , 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.
ymbols of the Guards
Ready To Strike - Motto of Guards, to be ever prepared to strike against enemy forces [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards/Motto_Insignia_Guards.html Motto/Insignia Section, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.]
The Wings - Represent the guards heliborne capabilities
Bayonet & Laurel - Symbols of guards superior skills as infantry soldiers [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards/Motto_Insignia_Guards.html Motto/Insignia Section, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.]
Gold Color Foreground - Loyalty to the nation, devotion to duty and dedication to the task set before us [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/ourforces/Guards/Motto_Insignia_Guards.html Motto/Insignia Section, Official MINDEF Guards Page.] Retrieved on January 4, 2008.]
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