Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Spc. Kelly Doolittle, a rifleman with 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment...... read more read more
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SINGAPORE – When Spc. Christopher Farr first stepped off a plane in an unfamiliar country, all he saw was darkness and a few lights out in the distance; it felt like Iraq all over again.
However, Farr’s latest deployment isn’t a combat mission, it’s an opportunity to share knowledge and experience a new country.
Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus”, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division traveled to Singapore to participate in Exercise Lightning Strike with the Singapore Armed Forces, July 19-29.
The joint United States – Singapore exercise is taking place at roughly the same time as Exercise Tiger Balm, another partnered training event between the two countries. However, there is a major difference between the two exercises.
“The (Singapore) guys participating in Lightning Strike are the full-time service guys and the majority of Tiger Balm are reserves,” explained Singapore army Capt. Tan Sherwayn, the Company B, 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment commander.
Respectively, U.S. Guard and Reserve soldiers make up the majority of participants in Tiger Balm while active duty soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company C, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Regt., are participating in Lightning Strike.
Sherwayn’s unit is hosting Lightning Strike and will work daily with 2nd Platoon.
During the exercise, the two armies will share information on how their units work and how each conducts everyday military life, from operating weapons systems to executing company-level operations.
“I’m really anxious to get my hands on the (Singapore Assault Rifle 21) and give that thing a spin,” said Spc. Patrick Bevans, a squad automatic weapon gunner with 2nd Plt.
Though the SAR 21 uses the same ammunition as an M4 carbine and is relatively close in length and weight, but has a futuristic looking bullpup design. Bullpup design has the magazine and action placed behind the trigger group and allows for more maneuverability and stability for the shooter.
After the Singaporean soldiers introduced the SAR 21 to their U.S. counterparts and a few days of instruction and familiarization, the U.S. troops had the chance to take the weapon to the range.
Another piece of equipment that many of the Manchus were eager to see was the SAF’s Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle.
“Their vehicle looks just like a Stryker,” said Farr, a grenadier with 2nd Plt., stating the similarity to the vehicle that his unit is known for.
Singapore recently began fielding the Terrex, which closely resembles the U.S. Army’s eight-wheeled Stryker armored vehicle.
“In terms of learning and sharing both ways, it just made sense that if my unit was to host Lightning Strike, then we would call a similar, compatible unit here so that we can be more engaged,” said Sherwayn. “By spending time out in the field and by having interactions with (the Stryker platoon), lessons … will be brought up that wouldn’t be in a report.”
A combined mission at the end of the exercise will be the culmination of everything the armies have shared and will incorporate their teamwork and professionalism.
Sherwayn explained one squad from Singapore will embed with the U.S. platoon and vice versa.
“Not just for the benefit of the organization, but also for the soldiers themselves,” he said.
Until that mission, the Manchus continue to enjoy the overall experience with the 2nd SIR.
“They’re really gracious hosts to us,” said Bevans. “I look forward to giving back what I can to them in this training event.”
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2011 15:17 |
| Story ID: | 74639 |
| Location: | SINGAPORE, SG |
| Web Views: | 308 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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