Minister Chan Chun Sing presented the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Service Medal to 39 personnel for distinguished contributions to overseas operations.
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing presented the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Service Medal (OSM) to 39 SAF personnel at a ceremony held at the Central Manpower Base, recognising their contributions to humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism, counter-piracy, and multinational maritime security operations overseas. The awards acknowledged the recipients’ professionalism and commitment in supporting Singapore’s operational and strategic interests abroad.
Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence
The ceremony brought together senior SAF leaders, including Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Army Major-General Cai Dexian, Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat, senior SAF officers, and family members of the medal recipients. The OSM is awarded to SAF personnel who have rendered distinguished service during overseas operational deployments in support of international peace, security, and humanitarian efforts.
Addressing the recipients, Mr Chan commended their dedication and professionalism, stating that their service had brought pride to both the SAF and Singapore. Reflecting on the importance of operational deployments, he said:
“When others look at the SAF and make a judgement on whether we can perform up to the task, they look not just at how we train every day — they look at how we perform under real operational conditions.”
Among the recipients were personnel who supported humanitarian assistance operations in the Middle East, including the delivery of relief supplies and airdrop missions to Gaza from Jordan in coordination with international air forces. Mr Chan highlighted the complexity and urgency of these missions, noting that they demonstrated the SAF’s operational readiness and ability to execute demanding tasks under challenging conditions.
The Overseas Service Medal was also presented to personnel who participated in multinational counter-piracy operations to safeguard international shipping routes, as well as those deployed for counter-terrorism missions in the Middle East and other maritime security operations. Mr Chan noted that every overseas deployment is carefully considered, balancing operational risks with Singapore’s strategic objectives and international commitments.
Emphasising the broader value of overseas operations, Mr Chan said each deployment enables the SAF to strengthen international partnerships while gaining valuable operational experience and knowledge that contribute to its continuous development and readiness.
Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence
