Last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean visited Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops deployed in Afghanistan to experience, first-hand, the operations in Oruzgan and Bamiyan province.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence, Mr Teo met the SAF Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) team at their operating base in Tarin Kowt, the provincial capital of Oruzgan.

The WLR team was deployed to Tarin Kowt in September this year to provide early warning of rocket attacks and enhance force protection measures for International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel at the base.

He interacted with the SAF troops who shared their two-month operational experiences with him.

Speaking to the 17-man WLR team, Mr Teo emphasised the important role they were playing in Afghanistan and Singapore's overall contributions to international security operations.

Mr Teo said: "I can see the tough and challenging conditions you operate under many miles from home.

"I have full confidence that you will continue to do Singapore and the SAF proud in carrying out your duties vigilantly and professionally."

While in Tarin Kowt, Mr Teo also visited the field hospital where a 20-man SAF medical team was deployed from November 2008 to May this year to provide emergency and trauma care and primary healthcare.

Mr Teo also met with the Winter Deployment Team (WDT), which serves as part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The three-man team works closely with the local government in the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid donated by the SAF to the local people and will be in Bamiyan till May 2010.

The SAF has made deployments to Afghanistan since 2007 as part of Singapore's contributions to multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts there.

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