Guards (Singapore Army)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2022) |
Guards | |
---|---|
File:Singapore Guards Emblem.png | |
Active | 1 January 1975 – present |
Country | Singapore |
Branch | Singapore Army |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Air assault Rapid deployment |
Size | 3 active battalions[citation needed] |
Part of | Singapore Armed Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Bedok Camp II Dieppe Barracks Nee Soon Camp |
Motto(s) | "Ready to Strike"[1] |
Colors | Khaki |
Website | Official website |
Commanders | |
Chief Guards Officer | BG Wilson Low[2] |
Guards, also referred to as Guardsmen, is a rapid deployment infantry formation of the Singapore Army specialising in heliborne and underslung operations.[3] Having undergone rigorous training and working in highly coordinated teams, they can be deployed to any terrain at high speed from hovering helicopters using specialised techniques such as hover-jumping, heli-rappelling and fast-roping, along with their Light Strike Vehicles. Guardsmen are also trained in urban warfare[4] and fighting on fortified terrain.[5][6]
History
The Guards formation was created on 1 January 1975 as the 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB) with a total strength of four officers, five specialists (non-commissioned officers) and a few clerks.[7][8] 7 SIB took command of the Infantry Training Depot on 1 January 1976 and the 7th and 8th Battalions, Singapore Infantry Regiment (7 SIR and 8 SIR) on 9 February 1976. On 1 July 1976, 7 SIB was declared operational.[7] In view of its operational role, the ITD was removed from 7 SIB and the SAF Guards Unit (SAFGU), formed in the 1960s for guard mounting at the Istana, came under the command of 7 SIB.[7][8][6]
SAFGU was renamed 1st Battalion, Singapore Guards (1 Guards) on 1 July 1977. On 1 April 1978, 8 SIR became the 2nd Battalion, Singapore Guards (2 Guards).[7] 7 SIB was designated as an elite brigade on 1 April 1978. On 6 April 1979, 1 Guards held a parade during which Major-General Winston Choo, the Chief of General Staff, presented the men with berets with new cap badge backings to denote their elite status.[8][6]
On 31 July 1980, the men of 7 SIB received stable belts as another symbol of their elite status.[8][6] In the same year, 7 SIB was reorganised into a brigade consisting of only Guardsmen. 7 SIR was renamed 3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (3 Guards).[7] The three Guards battalions received their colours on 11 June 1983. On 23 June 1989, the Guardsmen received the Guards tab, which they wear on the left sleeves of their uniforms.[8][6]
On 9 June 1994, the Guardsmen adopted the khaki beret to replace the olive green beret, which is still used by the Infantry formation. On 11 October 1994, the Guards formally became a formation of the Singapore Army.[8] All Guards units, including 7 SIB, are now under the administration and command of HQ Guards.[6]
Operations
Guardsmen have been deployed to provide support in disaster relief and humanitarian aid operations, such as during the 1986 Hotel New World collapse in Singapore, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and the humanitarian aid mission in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2013.[6]
Training
Before qualifying as Guardsmen, enlistees need to complete the Guards Vocational Training, while officers and specialists (non-commissioned officers) need to complete the Guards Conversion Course.[9][6]
Guardsmen are trained for heliborne insertions into combat zones. They can do this either by rapid disembarkation while the helicopter is landing, or by rappelling from a hovering helicopter, or fast-roping straight onto rooftops.[3] As landing zones may be hostile, Guardsmen train in various forms of combat rappelling.[10] This may involve rappelling head-first. They also train for exigencies. If, due to an injury they are unable to brace themselves against a cliff face, they may be required to rappel unconventionally, with their backs facing the cliff, or with a stretcher.[10] Other methods include Australian rappelling.[11]
Equipment
Equipment | Image | Origin | Notes | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
SAR 21 | Singapore | [12] | ||
SIG Sauer P226 | Switzerland | [12] | ||
Ultimax 100 Mark 3 SAW | Singapore | [12] | ||
FN MAG | Belgium | [12] | ||
M203 grenade launcher | United States | [12] | ||
Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) Mark II | Singapore | [13][14][6] |
References
- ^ "The Singapore Army – Guards – Motto/Insignia". Mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "Army Organisation Structure". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 5 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ a b "The Singapore Army – Guards". Mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 3 October 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ [1] Archived 23 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [2] Archived 7 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Guards". Ministry of Defence (Singapore). 6 July 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d e [3] Archived 13 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f "The Singapore Army – Guards – History". Totaldefence.sg. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "File Not Found" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ^ a b [4] Archived 29 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Foo-Tan, Germaine (19 April 2006). "1980 – Singapore Guards – Elite Warriors of the SAF". mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007.
- ^ a b c d e [5] Archived 29 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [6] Archived 5 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Singapore Army – Guards – Equipment". Mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 17 December 2006. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- Webarchive template wayback links
- Articles with short description
- EngvarB from June 2015
- Use dmy dates from June 2015
- Articles needing additional references from October 2022
- All articles needing additional references
- All articles with unsourced statements
- Articles with unsourced statements from October 2022
- 1975 establishments in Singapore
- Formations of the Singapore Army
- Guards regiments
- Military units and formations established in 1975