SAF to send medical support team to Iraq, Army Deployment Force to protect the team

[Aces]

SINGAPORE - Singapore will step up its contribution to the fight against terror in Iraq by sending a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) medical support team to the country.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in Washington, DC, on an official visit, made the announcement in a joint statement with United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday (Aug 2, US time).

The medical support team will take care of both soldiers and civilians injured in the battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post, adding that soldiers from the new Army Deployment Force (ADF) will join the medical support team for force protection.

"As long as terrorist groups gain a foothold in any country, they can radicalise others from all around the world, including Singapore. This is why Singapore joined the fight against terror in Afghanistan, and now against ISIS in Iraq and Syria," Dr Ng wrote.

The SAF's Imagery Analysis Team has been deployed to the Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters in Kuwait since last September.

Singapore had also sent 492 SAF servicemen to Afghanistan during a six-year deployment to the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force that included medical support. The SAF's longest overseas deployment ended in June 2013.

source: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...otect-the-team
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Will u send ur son to Iraq or send urself there if deployed.

[hkh]

Think only Regulars will be sent........

[Auratus]

It is a dirty war there. Clearly it all began with interfering into other people politics. All wars need resources and funds, you cannot fight a war if your are poor. This conflict is supported by unknown funds, weapons, medical, logistic, etc. Individual who part take can only contribute their life, no way it can support the cost of such huge operation in ME.

Why do we even want to be part of this conflict. We are a tiny state, is there no other way to helps others instead or getting involve in this dirty war? Why did our PM bring SG to support the USA? Is there no parliamentary discussion? Then what's parliament for?

There is so much suffering there, homes, family, cities are all destroyed. And it is the local that suffered the most. Do we want to dirty our hands?

[xersion]

SG troops will only be at the backend and not front line...
this one not under UN, dunno got allowance bo... if dont have then

[tangmulong4488]

Hmmm, I think hard for Singapore to be neutral like Switzerland. We also depend on military alliance with US for protection if shit hits the fence.

[LauLanChu]

LHL smart, chip in a bit to earn big future favor. Sending small medical and backend support to get alliance help. Just that this gamble may not pay if Trump takes helm and everything goes to drain.

[globalcookie]

Originally Posted by Auratus

It is a dirty war there. Clearly it all began with interfering into other people politics.


Why do we even want to be part of this conflict. We are a tiny state, is there no other way to helps others instead or getting involve in this dirty war? Why did our PM bring SG to support the USA? Is there no parliamentary discussion? Then what's parliament for?

That's exactly my thoughts about messing up others... so Donald Trump said it rightly, Saddam was a good man... he kept things under control.

As a tiny state, it's like exchanging a few soldiers safety, to win US continued support in this region.

Parliament is a joke when it's one party system. No point debating as the answer is fixed even before gg into parliament. That's because voters endorsed such parliament. The importance of denying 2/3 is not understood.

Originally Posted by LauLanChu

if Trump takes helm and everything goes to drain.

Well, SG always plays e neutral card so whoever takes office, they will still go rub rub...

I won't be surprise Donald Trump takes office. So Obama is trying to sole (spell?) discord within that party.

[loveikan]

Yes Aratus and GC.

To be neutral as much as we like to be but Hate to say this but problem is open ourselves to terrorist attacks, attracted more than other countries .

Trump will nvr bother us if he is elected, which i think he will nick this coming Nov election if he does not snooked himself.

[acedophin]

Originally Posted by hkh

Think only Regulars will be sent........

NSF as well on volunteer basis. Anyway all wayang. our troops will always be at the back of the actual deployment. Only thing is the frequent Arty drill when alarm is sound, very common. Like when we deploy to Afghanistan also the same, my ex-unit colleague says arty drill like smoke break, anytime alarm will sound. But deployment area is very secure zone.

[LauLanChu]

So not too bad if go and come back, get commendation, promotion and maybe good pay rise.