US navy chief receives prestigious military award from Singapore
The Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy (USN), Admiral (ADM) Gary Roughead, was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military)], by Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at an investiture held at the Ministry of Defence this evening.
The Meritorious Service Medal (Military) was awarded to ADM Roughead in recognition of his significant role in forging closer bilateral ties between the USN and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
Admiral (ADM) Roughead receiving the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)
Under ADM Roughead's leadership, when he was previously Commander, US Pacific Fleet, and as the present Chief of Naval Operations, professional interactions between the USN and the RSN have increased significantly. For example, the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise has grown substantially in both scope and depth, with the inclusion of missile-firings and other warfare drills. Such interactions have served to further deepen the friendship and mutual understanding among the personnel of the two navies.
Both navies also interact regularly in other multilateral activities under the ambit of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS). The USN had also facilitated the RSN's participation in the multilateral Exercise RIMPAC 2008. Such exercises have provided mutual professional benefits, and strengthened the interoperability between both navies as well as among other regional partners.
ADM Roughead, who ends his two-day official visit to Singapore today, called on Mr Teo and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong before the investiture.
