SINGAPORE - On a small island in the Pacific Ocean, a group of U.S. soldiers and airmen land to conduct combat operations. In the midst of their strategic planning they smell a strange odor. After careful calculations, observation and reconnaissance, they find … durian, the King of Fruit, and conquered it much like Exercise Tiger Balm.

Tiger Balm ‘11 took U.S. citizen-soldiers and citizen-airmen from Oregon, Washington and Hawaii across the globe to Singapore for a two-week bilateral joint operations training exercise with the Singapore Armed Forces in July.

This was the 11th year in which the 82nd Rear Operations Center, Theater Support Command, Oregon Army National Guard, acted as the High Control in charge of the exercise. The focus this year was on combat operations. A field exercise, Lightning Strike, with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash., was also implemented in conjunction with Tiger Balm.

Tiger Balm, in its 30th year, is a war simulation of potential battle scenarios combining the U.S. and Singapore Armed Forces to develop strategies and procedures common to both armies. The exercise is conducted in a two-year cycle focusing the first year on combat operations and the second year on stability. The training alternates locations between the United States and Singapore.

Col. Bradley Kohn, Deputy Executive Agent of Tiger Balm, said “This is the first year a field training exercise has been included in, but is separate from the command post exercise. Each year following it will get larger, more complex and the field exercise will be concurrently a part of the exercise.

The armies shared strategies, techniques, and built military and personal relationships.

“Our counter-part, Cpt. James Kee, (Air Liaison Officer, 24th Singapore Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, SAF) is a great guy,” said Maj. Jim Mitchell, acting as Air Liaison Officer, 116th Air Control Squadron, Oregon Air National Guard from Astoria, Ore. “He is courteous and professional. He has been guiding us through the exercise and the Singapore computer system,” “We have a rapport that overlaps each other.”

The sharing of military strategy was just a part of the exchange. The U.S. forces also experienced a few ways the SAF train. Soldiers and airmen visited the Infantry Gunnery Tactical Simulator, the firing range and attended a static display of equipment used by the SAF soldier.

The IGTS, a high-tech training simulator, brings the command group and the soldier together. The scenario begins with the commander making calls in one room while the soldier receives the order and executes with hands-on simulated firing in another room.

“I thought it was a really good integration between the gun teams and battalion commanders,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Webb, a fire support non-commissioned officer with 82 ROC, from Sandy, Ore. “America can learn a lot by how the SAF train their platoons with their battalion commanders in a simulator.”

The U.S. Soldiers and Airmen also practiced firing a few rounds with the Singapore-designed and manufactured Singapore Assault Rifle-21st Century (SAR-21). The rifle is lighter and more compact than the M-16 and M4 that the U.S. Army uses.

“The SAR-21 had a lot of features that made it easy to use. The scope is pre-zeroed, has laser sights and a clear magazine making it able to see the rounds,” said Staff Sgt. Joe Stuart, 82 ROC, a supply sergeant from Portland, Ore. “I liked the feel of the weapon.”

In addition to the military focus, the soldiers and airmen were able to experience some of Singapore’s celebrations and culture. The men and women attended the country’s 46th National Day Parade dress rehearsal. The program encompassed many facets of Singapore growing from small villages to the bustling island-country it is today. The dynamic display of military equipment and forces, along with a musical story related the past to the present.

“They clearly put a lot of effort into making a really good show,” said Staff Sgt. Neal Cordry, acting as an opposition force sergeant with 82 ROC, from Sandy, Ore. “The military equipment demonstration was awesome. I didn’t know how much equipment they had. I was shocked to see how much American equipment they used such as the F-15 fighter jets and the CH-47 Chinook helicopters.”

Singapore’s multi-cultured, multi-racial country offered the servicemen and women a wide variety of interests to explore. Many were treated by their SAF counter-parts to cultural foods, traditions, shopping and tours around Singapore.

“It was very enlightening and fun. I experienced a lot of historical things.” said Lt. Col. Laura Soares, of Honolulu, Hawaii, acting as the Public Affairs Officer with the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Hawaii National Guard. “We ate Chinese and Indian food, went to the Army Museum, and then ate a home-cooked Malaysian meal. We even watched a video of a traditional Malaysian wedding. It was the best day ever.”

Other cohesion-building activities included an afternoon of games. U.S. and SAF servicemen and women participated in Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, basketball and volleyball. One relationship was built in an unpredictable way.

“During a game of Ultimate Frisbee, Capt. Kee and I crashed going for the Frisbee. I cut his eye and he cut my lip,” said Maj. Mitchell. “We are blood-brothers.”

Finding and conquering the King of Fruit may not have been the highlight of the exercise, but the connections made between the two countries, militaries and people have proven to have lasting effects. Members who have worked together previously made contact and have continued the relationship through this Tiger Balm, either through the exercise or by hosting former counter-parts. With next year being the last year for Oregon to host Exercise Tiger Balm, the relationships made this year in Singapore will be cherished.

“Tiger Balm is really challenging and extremely satisfying,” said Col. Kohn, “The soldiers have done a great job. The friendship and cultural part of this has been really good.”