Dear Readers,
I have just received an article via email from a retired army colleague that I would like to share it with all of you, particularly for those who are still in the military service. While our politicians are still arguing as to whether they are Malays or Malaysian first, our closest neighbor Singapore is doing the rightful thing i.e. to get all Singaporeans to think defence first.
And did I not write about the proper employment of our Joint Force Headquarters? We can certainly learn from the example shown by the Singapore Armed Forces on what a Joint Force operation is all about. Please read the article below AND LEARN SOMETHING FROM IT.
MINDEF SINGAPORE
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) conducted a readiness exercise on August 2011. The exercise involved troops from 1st Guards Battalion conducting a battalion coastal hook, supported by elements from the Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Defence (RSAF) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)
The exercise featured the recapture of an offshore island that had been occupied by an enemy force. Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen was present to witness the exercise today at Pulau Sundong. This was the first time Dr. Ng visited an SAF exercise since he took over the defence portfolio in May 2011.
The exercise demonstrated the integration and operational readiness of the SAF. Dr. Ng first observed SAF troops and M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers disembarking from the RSN fast crafts to secure the beach area with support from the RSAF F-16 fighter aircraft and Apache AH-64 helicopters. The troops then proceeded to advance inland supported by Light Strike Vehicles to capture the airstrip located in the centre of the island. After the airstrip had been secured, Dr. Ng saw a Super Puma helicopter deliver additional logistics supplies to the troops and evacuated simulated casualties.
After viewing the exercise, Dr. Ng spoke about the SAF’s readiness and capability to execute a complex exercise involving elements of the three services, as well as the confidence of our soldiers. He said, “They (the soldiers) must have confidence in the machines that we buy, the equipment that they have, their ability to execute these operations. I would say that at a professional level, it is not easy to do it. It is tri-service which means that it involves elements of the Navy, Air Force and the Army. And your command and control systems need to be up to stretch. Your coordination and your ability to excute real time. It is complex”.
Dr. Ng was accompanied by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Neo Kian Hong and Chief of Army Major General Ravinder Singh.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Showing posts with label maf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label maf. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
MAF JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS
I wish to share with my readers an email that I received from a reader concerning an article I posted on Saturday, July 23, 2011 relating to the MAF Joint Force Headquarters. There are some useful comments made that I hope should be read and understood by the current crop of military commanders; least they are not confused with the conventional understanding of Joint Force Headquarters. The last paragraph of the reader’s comment is worth pondering.
Dear Dato,
It is interesting to read your argument on the need of a Joint Force HQ in the MAF.I hope your posting this time would generate more professional discussion among your readers in particular the current breed of Commanders at all levels in the MAF who are more exposed to new technologies in the management of their units, formations and forces,
India who experience 3 wars and several conflicts with its neighbors surprisingly do not have an Armed Forces HQ like we do.The joint force ops is handled by the Joint Chiefs Committee at national level and executed by a ground formation with all the organic and assigned troops.The most senior Chief of Service act as the Chairman of Joint Chiefs Committee. This Committee decides what assets and quantum of force to be assigned depending on the intelligence and Ground Commander's appreciation made available to them.
Nevertheless India has one Unified Command HQ in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands commanded by a 3 Star Admiral.This is required because these islands are too far flung in the Indian Ocean and they have to be self- reliant to operate independently at least for a limited period.
The need for a Joint Force HQ actually depends on Defence Policy, Strategy and the make- up of a particular country. Since Malaysia has 2 theaters so to speak perhaps it is prudent to have a Joint Force HQ established there to take charge of the East Malaysia Theater. Joint Force HQ should be able to operate independently, but it is a very expensive business to have one.
Joint Force HQ as I understand is also for projection of power, for offensive purposes. This I am sure do not conform to our Defence Policy or Strategy.Joint Force HQ always operate in high intensity operations and it must be trained to operate in that environment.For our Joint Force HQ to operate OP PASIR which is low intensity ops is a waste of assets and training value.Perhaps it is wise to hand back OP PASIR to 5 Bde or PDRM. After all it is still 5 Bde that has to provide admin and logistics support to OP PASIR, I am told there was no complaint against 5 Bde when they operated OP PASIR then.I just wonder why Joint Force HQ must take over now. Moreover, 5 Bde Commander is still a member of Sabah State Security Executive Committee.
Of course MAF must continue pursuing the concept of ‘Jointness’ even without a Joint Force HQ. It may be through existing Formation HQ or equivalent operational level where troops and assets are assigned for a specific period for training purposes or for real combat if the need arise.
It is easier said than done. It needs a political will to undo and restructure back the ATM. Australia is a country that has gone through this kind of trial and error.They revert to the Brigade concept when Task Force which replaced all Brigades did not work as well as its former structure.
JPP need to revisit the wisdom to have JFH in the MAF. Perhaps enough money could be saved to upgrade the existing utilities and facilities in the Op Pasir area for the troops deployed there.
Salam hormat
MJHim
Dear Dato,
It is interesting to read your argument on the need of a Joint Force HQ in the MAF.I hope your posting this time would generate more professional discussion among your readers in particular the current breed of Commanders at all levels in the MAF who are more exposed to new technologies in the management of their units, formations and forces,
India who experience 3 wars and several conflicts with its neighbors surprisingly do not have an Armed Forces HQ like we do.The joint force ops is handled by the Joint Chiefs Committee at national level and executed by a ground formation with all the organic and assigned troops.The most senior Chief of Service act as the Chairman of Joint Chiefs Committee. This Committee decides what assets and quantum of force to be assigned depending on the intelligence and Ground Commander's appreciation made available to them.
Nevertheless India has one Unified Command HQ in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands commanded by a 3 Star Admiral.This is required because these islands are too far flung in the Indian Ocean and they have to be self- reliant to operate independently at least for a limited period.
The need for a Joint Force HQ actually depends on Defence Policy, Strategy and the make- up of a particular country. Since Malaysia has 2 theaters so to speak perhaps it is prudent to have a Joint Force HQ established there to take charge of the East Malaysia Theater. Joint Force HQ should be able to operate independently, but it is a very expensive business to have one.
Joint Force HQ as I understand is also for projection of power, for offensive purposes. This I am sure do not conform to our Defence Policy or Strategy.Joint Force HQ always operate in high intensity operations and it must be trained to operate in that environment.For our Joint Force HQ to operate OP PASIR which is low intensity ops is a waste of assets and training value.Perhaps it is wise to hand back OP PASIR to 5 Bde or PDRM. After all it is still 5 Bde that has to provide admin and logistics support to OP PASIR, I am told there was no complaint against 5 Bde when they operated OP PASIR then.I just wonder why Joint Force HQ must take over now. Moreover, 5 Bde Commander is still a member of Sabah State Security Executive Committee.
Of course MAF must continue pursuing the concept of ‘Jointness’ even without a Joint Force HQ. It may be through existing Formation HQ or equivalent operational level where troops and assets are assigned for a specific period for training purposes or for real combat if the need arise.
It is easier said than done. It needs a political will to undo and restructure back the ATM. Australia is a country that has gone through this kind of trial and error.They revert to the Brigade concept when Task Force which replaced all Brigades did not work as well as its former structure.
JPP need to revisit the wisdom to have JFH in the MAF. Perhaps enough money could be saved to upgrade the existing utilities and facilities in the Op Pasir area for the troops deployed there.
Salam hormat
MJHim
Saturday, July 23, 2011
JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS (MARKAS ANGKATAN BERSAMA)
I came across some articles relating to the Malaysian Joint Force Headquarters (MJFH) or in Bahasa Malaysia, it is called Markas Angkatan Bersama (MAB) that arouse my interest. Upon reading the articles, I think there is something amiss in the way the MJFH is currently organized and employed, as I had attended a joint warfare course overseas during my service with the army.
I may be totally wrong on what I am about to discuss and comment, and I readily acknowledge the fact that there has been lots of organizational changes, and along with it, the roles and tasks of all three services of the Armed Forces since 1998 (the year I retired). Surprisingly, while a student at Defence Services Staff College, India, we were not taught Joint Warfare, in the manner like the Australian Armed Forces of which I was a course participant. And I remembered when the subject of Joint Warfare was introduced at our very own Armed Forces Staff College, most of the Directing Staffs and including me were struggling with the subject. The subject was merely an exposure to our students, as we do not have a Joint Force Headquarters then.
MJFH is a relatively new organization of the Malaysian Armed Forces that aims to bring together elements of the three services into a single coherent fighting force. It is a modern concept (in the Malaysian context) to meet the challenges of the future battle field, where wars will no longer be single service in nature, but rather joint in nature harnessing all three service of the Armed Forces. Hence, in such a battle field scenario, a Joint Force Headquarters is required.
I think, not all armies in the world operates a Joint Force Headquarters. I would say that it is only the privilege of the ‘superpowers’. I used the word ‘superpowers’ for the following reasons. First, a joint force is expensive to maintain, and I personally think our government simply cannot afford one. Second, I think a joint force primary objective is the projection of power abroad, and not for the defence of the homeland. Under the present circumstances, our defence strategy is defensive and not otherwise. Third, for a joint force to be effective, it has to be trained as one coherent force with interoperability being the key to the success of any operation that the force is to undertake. Presently, I am told that the forces are assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters. Fourth, I think the concept of deployment and employment of the joint force in the context of the Malaysian Armed Forces today is not well understood. Fifth, interoperability can only be effectively achieved if the forces are organic to the Headquarters, and it is not the case presently. Six, under normal circumstances, the Joint Force Commander will be from the navy, and this is the case for armies of the superpower.
Now, from what I read, the forces of the MJFH are currently deployed and employed to maintain Ops Pasir; an operation to monitor and protect designated coastal areas against intrusion by undesirable illegal immigrants, piracy, smugglers and illegal fishing. Certainly, I do not classify these roles as military in nature. Rather, these are roles befitting other organizations such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fishery Department, Customs Department, the Immigration Department and the Police Marine. If at all the MJFH have established a land monitoring outfit for the above prescribed roles, it would be best that such responsibilities be given to MMEA, thus relieving MJFH of such responsibilities and for them to be trained for its primary roles and tasks.
I have also been told that troops assigned to perform UN peacekeeping duties are now the responsibility of MJFH to administer. If this is true, I simply cannot understand the reasoning. Is it because the force constituted for the task have all the three service elements i.e. army, navy and air force; hence it is a MJFH responsibility? I hope that this isn’t the reason.
If I were to give a talk on the organization, roles and tasks of MJFH to some foreign students now, I would certainly have difficulties in making them to understand the Malaysian Armed Forces concept of a joint force headquarters. To cite Ops Pasir or the deployment of troops on UN peacekeeping operations as examples that I think isn’t correct.
As I have said at the outset, I may be wrong in my views and comments about our MJFH, as my knowledge of the subject is many years to old. I therefore wish to solicit comments from the current crop of military officers regarding my perception of the MJFH and to be corrected as such.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
I may be totally wrong on what I am about to discuss and comment, and I readily acknowledge the fact that there has been lots of organizational changes, and along with it, the roles and tasks of all three services of the Armed Forces since 1998 (the year I retired). Surprisingly, while a student at Defence Services Staff College, India, we were not taught Joint Warfare, in the manner like the Australian Armed Forces of which I was a course participant. And I remembered when the subject of Joint Warfare was introduced at our very own Armed Forces Staff College, most of the Directing Staffs and including me were struggling with the subject. The subject was merely an exposure to our students, as we do not have a Joint Force Headquarters then.
MJFH is a relatively new organization of the Malaysian Armed Forces that aims to bring together elements of the three services into a single coherent fighting force. It is a modern concept (in the Malaysian context) to meet the challenges of the future battle field, where wars will no longer be single service in nature, but rather joint in nature harnessing all three service of the Armed Forces. Hence, in such a battle field scenario, a Joint Force Headquarters is required.
I think, not all armies in the world operates a Joint Force Headquarters. I would say that it is only the privilege of the ‘superpowers’. I used the word ‘superpowers’ for the following reasons. First, a joint force is expensive to maintain, and I personally think our government simply cannot afford one. Second, I think a joint force primary objective is the projection of power abroad, and not for the defence of the homeland. Under the present circumstances, our defence strategy is defensive and not otherwise. Third, for a joint force to be effective, it has to be trained as one coherent force with interoperability being the key to the success of any operation that the force is to undertake. Presently, I am told that the forces are assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters. Fourth, I think the concept of deployment and employment of the joint force in the context of the Malaysian Armed Forces today is not well understood. Fifth, interoperability can only be effectively achieved if the forces are organic to the Headquarters, and it is not the case presently. Six, under normal circumstances, the Joint Force Commander will be from the navy, and this is the case for armies of the superpower.
Now, from what I read, the forces of the MJFH are currently deployed and employed to maintain Ops Pasir; an operation to monitor and protect designated coastal areas against intrusion by undesirable illegal immigrants, piracy, smugglers and illegal fishing. Certainly, I do not classify these roles as military in nature. Rather, these are roles befitting other organizations such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fishery Department, Customs Department, the Immigration Department and the Police Marine. If at all the MJFH have established a land monitoring outfit for the above prescribed roles, it would be best that such responsibilities be given to MMEA, thus relieving MJFH of such responsibilities and for them to be trained for its primary roles and tasks.
I have also been told that troops assigned to perform UN peacekeeping duties are now the responsibility of MJFH to administer. If this is true, I simply cannot understand the reasoning. Is it because the force constituted for the task have all the three service elements i.e. army, navy and air force; hence it is a MJFH responsibility? I hope that this isn’t the reason.
If I were to give a talk on the organization, roles and tasks of MJFH to some foreign students now, I would certainly have difficulties in making them to understand the Malaysian Armed Forces concept of a joint force headquarters. To cite Ops Pasir or the deployment of troops on UN peacekeeping operations as examples that I think isn’t correct.
As I have said at the outset, I may be wrong in my views and comments about our MJFH, as my knowledge of the subject is many years to old. I therefore wish to solicit comments from the current crop of military officers regarding my perception of the MJFH and to be corrected as such.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Saturday, July 12, 2008
JOINT FORCE HQ FOR THE MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES
I read with interest a report cited in Utusan on line dated July 12, 2008, that the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) wants to establish a Commando Unit to the the newly formed Joint Force HQ (Markas Angkatan Bersama).
I am informed that the Joint Force HQ ( a tri service outfit) is already being created (though not fully manned), and is presently located at the Ministry of Defence complex at Jalan Pandang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur. I am not quite sure how the HQ is organized, where is it to finally located, and to which organizational model have they adopted. I am not surprise if they have adopted the Australian model, knowing that our MAF has had close affiliation with the Australian Armed Forces.
While I was in service, I had the opportunity to undergo a Joint Warfare Course at the Australian Joint Warfare Training Centre at Williamstown, Australia. It was a new exposure for me, since joint warfare training has never been taught at our training institutions at the time. The course participants comprised of officers from the three services i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force.
The objective behind the creation of a Joint Force is to ready troops for deployment outside the area of our own defences. In other words, having the capability to deploy troops overseas, for whatever the purpose. The force being joint in nature, would perforce have it own resources in ships and aircrafts, beside the infantry component.
Such being the composition of the force, it is a highly mobile force capable of operating independently. I would say that it is the most expensive force to maintain, and there are not very many Armed Forces in the world today, having such a force. I don't remember both the Indian and Pakistan Armed Forces having such a force, despite them having quite a large Armed Forces.
With the establishment of the Joint Force HQ for the MAF, several questions need to be asked:
1. Is there a real necessity to create a dedicated Joint Force component for the MAF?
2. Is the establishment in conformity with the needs of the country's national defence strategy?
3. How would the force be equipped? Is it through the concept of affiliation of current Army, Navy and Air Force resources to the force, or it is through the concept of having dedicated resources comprising of components of the three services?
Joint Warfare training is highly complex, with a unique command and control organization. Jointry can only be exercised if the force is a dedicated one. If the concept is one of affiliation, then I am afraid, jointry will not be achieved.
I wish the Armed Forces all the best in its new undertaking, and it is my hope to see the aspirations of the force be fulfilled.
I am informed that the Joint Force HQ ( a tri service outfit) is already being created (though not fully manned), and is presently located at the Ministry of Defence complex at Jalan Pandang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur. I am not quite sure how the HQ is organized, where is it to finally located, and to which organizational model have they adopted. I am not surprise if they have adopted the Australian model, knowing that our MAF has had close affiliation with the Australian Armed Forces.
While I was in service, I had the opportunity to undergo a Joint Warfare Course at the Australian Joint Warfare Training Centre at Williamstown, Australia. It was a new exposure for me, since joint warfare training has never been taught at our training institutions at the time. The course participants comprised of officers from the three services i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force.
The objective behind the creation of a Joint Force is to ready troops for deployment outside the area of our own defences. In other words, having the capability to deploy troops overseas, for whatever the purpose. The force being joint in nature, would perforce have it own resources in ships and aircrafts, beside the infantry component.
Such being the composition of the force, it is a highly mobile force capable of operating independently. I would say that it is the most expensive force to maintain, and there are not very many Armed Forces in the world today, having such a force. I don't remember both the Indian and Pakistan Armed Forces having such a force, despite them having quite a large Armed Forces.
With the establishment of the Joint Force HQ for the MAF, several questions need to be asked:
1. Is there a real necessity to create a dedicated Joint Force component for the MAF?
2. Is the establishment in conformity with the needs of the country's national defence strategy?
3. How would the force be equipped? Is it through the concept of affiliation of current Army, Navy and Air Force resources to the force, or it is through the concept of having dedicated resources comprising of components of the three services?
Joint Warfare training is highly complex, with a unique command and control organization. Jointry can only be exercised if the force is a dedicated one. If the concept is one of affiliation, then I am afraid, jointry will not be achieved.
I wish the Armed Forces all the best in its new undertaking, and it is my hope to see the aspirations of the force be fulfilled.
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