SAF and TNI Conclude Joint Counter-Terrorism Exercise
New Maritime Security System Debuts at Exercise Northstar
SOTF troopers storming the hijacked MV Avatar after rappelling from a Super Puma helicopter. (all photos : Mindef)Armed with explosives, the hijackers demanded the release of some detained terrorists. Failing which, they would sail the MV Avatar into Jurong Island and detonate the ship.
This was the scenario participants at Exercise Northstar VIII were faced with on 25 Nov. The exercise, which simulated multiple terrorist attacks at various locations in Singapore, was held from 10 to 25 Nov to test the whole-of-government approach in handling such emergencies.

In response to the hijacking simulation at sea, exercise participants despatched two patrol vessels from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Police Coast Guard (PCG) to flank the MV Avatar while they negotiated with the hijackers.
When negotiations stalled and the MV Avatar proceeded at full speed towards Jurong Island, the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) moved in. The SOTF troopers approached via two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and a Super Puma helicopter, and proceeded to board and storm the ship while the another helicopter provided air cover.

This successful operation was made possible through a well-oiled National Maritime Security System (NMSS). Involving various maritime security agencies, the new framework enables the early detection of maritime threats and provides a timely and coordinated response to these threats.
It comprises a National Maritime Sense-making Centre (NMSC), which collates and analyses maritime information round-the-clock, and a National Maritime Operations Group (NMOG), which carries out operations to neutralise maritime threats.
Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean, who visited the final day of Exercise Northstar, also officially launched the Singapore Maritime Security Centre in Changi Naval Base.

After observing how the NMSS was tested through the simulated hijacking incident, he commented on the importance of the NMSS: "There's so much traffic in the maritime domain going on around us; we're one of the busiest ports in the world, so to be able to detect, sense-make and understand the threats developing and to pre-empt them before they occur is a very important first step.
Besides the sea simulation, Exercise Northstar also featured a chlorine leak simulation followed by blasts caused by vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Jurong Island on the same day. This simulation saw the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) containing the crisis, evacuating and treating casualties together with personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Ministry of Health.

He also cautioned against complacency, saying: "We can never be too ready, so we always have to keep on practising. We must understand that the threats are unpredictable, so we cannot just be training for a specific threat, but we must have the flexibility to respond as the threats evolve."
Besides Mr Teo, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and senior officials from various ministries were also present to witness the exercise.
(Mindef)
Anti-Terrorism Academy Proposed for Langkawi
SF troopers fast-roping from a Nuri helicopter (photo : Malaysian Defence)LANGKAWI : An academy will be set up on the island to fight terrorism and other global crimes, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
He said the ministry had agreed to use the spacious 202ha Langkawi International Shooting Range here as the centre for the proposed academy.
"The shooting range will be used as a training ground, a research center and to host meeting by enforcement and intelligence agencies from around the world.
"The Ministry is currently finetuning the proposal, which will be presented to the Cabinet soon", he told reporters after chairing a meeting with department leaders and heads of agencies and the police here yesterday.
He said the academy would focus on applying the latest techniques to fight terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering, cyber crime, biological warfare and the use of explosives.
"The academy will also study new crime trends and identify criminal types" he said that the ministry would seek foreign assistance to set up the academy.
The academy which will also have facilities for sports, recreation, administration and simulation exercises, will be managed by a chairman and a board of directors.
(The Star)
Northstar VII : SAF Anti Terror Exercise
15 Juli 2009
SOTF troopers landing on the roof of Rasa Sentosa Hotel to storm the hostage sites during the finale of Northstar VII (photo : Mindef)
SAF special operations group participates in Exercise Northstar VII
To test Singapore's readiness to deal with concurrent terrorist attacks, 15 agencies including the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) came together in a homeland security exercise codenamed Northstar VII.
Organised by the SPF, this year's exercise saw elements from the recently formed SAF Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) storming the final incident site at Rasa Sentosa Hotel on 15 Jul.
"While we have done a lot to ensure Singapore's peace and security, we cannot afford to be complacent. Terrorists' tactics and mode of operations constantly evolve and we must stay vigilant," said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was present to view the proceedings.
Mirroring the concurrent attacks seen during the Mumbai attacks last year, Northstar VII saw a 15-man terrorist group land in Singapore via various land and sea routes. Splitting into groups of two to three men each, they proceeded to their targets such as hotels and shopping malls, to execute a series of coordinated attacks.
After a series of bloody rampages at different locations , the remaining three terrorists barricaded themselves in two separate areas of the hotel together with some hostages.
While the SPF and the SCDF had contained the situation thus far in stellar fashion, further negotiations with the terrorists stood at a stalemate. Upon hearing gunshots from the hostage sites, the SOTF was promptly activated to deal with the terrorists.
The Special Operations Task Force is a specialised force that can conduct complex hostage rescue operations (photo : Mindef)Within minutes, SOTF troopers arrived on the scene, rappelling down from he Republic of Singapore Air Force's Super Puma helicopters. In a swift and decisive show of force, SOTF troopers stormed the two areas and subdued the terrorists.
To ensure the coast was completely clear after the terrorists had been eliminated, SAF units from the Chemical Biological and Explosive Defence Group (CBRE DG) moved in to neutralise any remaining improvised devices left behind by the terrorists.
Other SAF troops from the various formations also worked with their SPF counterparts to enforce an outer cordon around the hotel. Keeping the public away from danger, the cordon provided a secured area where complex operations can take place.
"The SAF stands ready 24/7 to meet a range of threats to Singapore," said Colonel Benedict Lim, Assistant Chief of General Staff (Operations).
The successful collaboration among the multiple agencies showcased during the exercise is a result of many years of working together, said Mr Lee.
"We are very grateful to the Home Team and the SAF for keeping us safe," he added.Also present to view the climatic finale of the exercise at Rasa Sentosa Hotel were Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Professor S Jayakumar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng and other Members of Parliament.
(Mindef)
Indonesia Tuntaskan Latihan Antiteror
Apel sebelum latihan gabungan dimulai (photo : Kaskus Militer)
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia menuntaskan latihan gabungan antiteror TNI-Polri, yang disaksikan langsung Menko Polhukam Widodo Adi Sutjipto, Panglima TNI Jenderal TNI Djoko Santoso dan Kapolri Jenderal Pol Bambang Hendarso Danuri secara telekonferensi.
Geladi lapang latihan gabungan antiteror TNI-Polri dilaksanakan secara serentak di di Selat Malaka, Jakarta, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya dan Denpasar.
Dropping dengan helikopter (photo : Kompas)
Skenarionya mulai dari pembebasan kepala negara, tamu negara, pejabat daerah, pendudukan objek vital seperti kantor telekomunikasi, bursa efek, penyanderaan warga negara asing di kedutaan, hotel berbintang, pendudukan bandara, pembajakan pesawat dan kapal tanker.
Di Jakarta geladi lapang berlangsung di gedung Bursa Efek Indonesia, dua hotel, Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma dan Pelabuhan Tanjung Priok, sedangkan di Semarang berlangsung di gedung Telkom, dua hotel, dan di Yogyakarta berlangsung di salah satu hotel.
Densus 88 (photo : Detik)Latihan di Surabaya berlangsung di tiga hotel sedangkan di Denpasar akan berlangsung di dua hotel dan satu kafe.
Menko Polhukam Widodo AS mengatakan, ancaman teror adalah nyata di depan mata dan terus berkembang secara kompleks dengan modus yang beragam.
Latihan bersama anti teror TNI dan Polri ini merupakan bentuk kewajiban negara untuk memberikan ketenangan dan rasa aman rakyat di seluruh pelosok tanah air.
Den Bravo (photo : Detik)
"Rasa aman juga diberikan kepada orang asing baik yang tinggal atau berkunjung ke Indonesia," katanya.
Mengenai alasan digunakannya hotel berbintang sebagai tempat latihan, Widodo mengatakan itu merupakan bentuk partisipasi semua pihak dalam menciptakan rasa aman.
DenJaKa (photo : Kaskus Militer)
Latihan gabungan antiteror TNI-Polri melibatkan 6.597 personel lapangan dan 350 personel posko.
Latihan posko dimulai pada Jumat dan Sabtu, sedangkan latihan lapangan berlangsung pada Minggu (21/12) dan akan ditutup secara resmi pada esok Senin.
(Antara)





