Training visit to Pearce Air Base in Perth Australia from 8th to 12th December 2008

HQ NCC has organized a training visit to Pearce Air Base in Perth Australia from 8th to 12th December, as part of the initiatives under the NCC 21 Masterplan. A total of 2 NCC Officers and 10 NCC Cadets from 4 schools were selected to participate in this overseas training visit. The objectives of the visit are to improve the goodwill between HQ NCC and HQ RSAF under the Cadet Exchange Programme; to observe RSAF pilot trainee training in Pearce Air Base, Australia for the purpose of exposing NCC cadets to pilot trainee training in a SAF Overseas Training Base so as to increase military awareness in NCC Cadets; and last but not least, to reward deserving NCC Officers, Cadet Officers and Cadets for their outstanding contributions to the organization. The programme for the visit is as follows: Day 1 – 8th December 2008 The cadets and teachers assembled at Changi International Airport Terminal 1 at 0630hr to check-in. The flight, QF 72 departed at 0915hr and arrived in Perth International Airport at 1710hr, Perth time, which was an hour ahead of Singapore. We were picked up by Jeff, our designated tour-leader and driven to Pearce Air Base for dinner, before check-in to Novotel Vines Resort. We stayed at the resort for the next 2 nights. Day 2- 9th December 2008 Cadets and teachers arrived at Pearce Air Base to begin the 2 Day Pearce Air Base programme. We were welcomed by LTA Shaun who was the liaising officer for our visit. After breakfast, the programme began with an address by OC A, Maj Adrian Toh, a video presentation, and a security briefing by the RSM. After lunch, we left the base for Sorrento Quay for a half day R&R. We returned to the base for dinner before heading back to our resort. Day 3- 10th December 2008 Cadets and teachers arrived at Pearce Air Base for breakfast. The second day programme began with a squadron tour, an interaction session with Basic Wing Course trainees about their “Life as a trainee”, and finally, a visit to the Flight Simulation Centre. After dinner, we returned to our resort. Day 4- 11th December 2008 Cadets and teachers checked out of Vines Resort in the morning and began our day tour into Perth City. We began with some light shopping of local goodies at a nougat and chocolate factory. We then went over to Caversham Wildlife Park to look at native Australian animals, such as Koala, Wombat and Kangaroos. After lunch, we checked-in to Aarons Hotel, which was a stone-throw from the main shopping belt of Perth City - Hay Street Mall. However we did not stay long in the hotel; we unpacked quickly and changed into our beach gear for Fremantle. On our way over, we made a quick shopping stop at Harbour Town. We spent the rest of the day at Fremantle beach before returning to Perth City for dinner at North Bridge.
Day 5- 12th December 2008 Cadets and teachers checked out of Aaron Hotel at 1000hr and made a quick stop at King’s Park for photo opportunities. We left for Perth International Airport at 1045hr. We left Perth on QF 77 at 1310hr and arrived at Changi International Airport Terminal 1 at 1800hr, Singapore time.
Reflections:
"I think this trip has been quite an enjoyable and enriching experience because we get to see how the young Singaporean pilots-to-be live and study abroad in a totally different surrounding. It takes time for them to get accustomed with the culture, climate and way of living in Australia but at the same time, they have to study and train to become fighter pilots. It is remarkable how they are able to manage to cope and persevere for up to 92 weeks (Approx 2 years) in order to complete their course." - SSG Marcus Ho
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Camp Pinnacle 2008

Camp Pinnacle 2008
Date: 1st December - 5th December
Venue: SISPEC, Pasir Laba Camp
Camp Pinnacle, an illustrious camp that is organised annually for the top 2 Part 'C' Specialists who are holding the appointments of USM or ASM in the NCC School Units. The main objectives of Camp Pinnacle are:
1) To forge closer links between the SAF and NCC through visits to different camps (Army/RSAF/RSN)
2) To observe the military hardware in SAF installations for the purpose of exposing NCC cadets to the capabilities of the 3G SAF.
3) To reward deserving senior cadets for their outstanding contributions to the organisation.
Although this camp is meant as a reward for the appointment holders, cadets should not have the mindset that Camp Pinnacle is some mediocre camp or a Part C Camp FEAST. Drills and discipline are emphasized strongly in SISPEC (School of Infantry SPECialists). As such, cadets are required to be attired in proper uniform at all times and not to mention, marching is mandatory to get from point to point in the camp.
During the first day of Camp Pinnacle, there was an opening address from the Warrant Officers and DC(West) CPT(NCC) Elizabeth Lee at the Warrant Officers' Auditorium. After having our lunch at the training sheds, we visited SISPEC Heritage Gallery where the history/formation of SISPEC was told briefly in pictures as cadets viewed the photo gallery in awe. Followed by that, cadets were brought to the IGTS (Infantry Gunnery Tactical System) to view how soldiers practice firing heavy artillery weapons on the simulators. (Similar to our IMT but instead of M16s, the weapons there are much bigger and powerful.)
Day 2: After breakfast, we were taken to SYFC (Singapore Youth Flying Club) where we had a mini briefing from SYFC instructors. Then, there was a tour around the SYFC compound and cadets saw the plane hangars and LC/RC workshops. We managed to try out the CAI (Computer Aided Instructor) meant for PPL students as well as the RC Flight Simulator. On the second half of the day, we were taken to Seletar Camp (Home Of The Bridging Engineers) where there was a talk from the Army Recruitment Officers about Army careers after secondary school. During the talk, cadets were briefed on the different vocations available in the Army and we were also persuaded by the Officers to sign on a career with the Army once we completed our 'O' Levels.
On the 3rd day, we headed down to Paya Lebar Air Base for the familiarisation flight on the C130 which lasted approximately 15mins. After lunch, we headed to the Air force Museum and toured around the vicinity and had a video screening in the theatre there. Cadets were also given free time to visit the souvenir shop on the ground floor to purchase the souvenirs there. During the night, we had our Camp Pinnacle Nite whereby cadets from every platoon had to put up a skit and cheer on stage. It was amusing to see cadets doing crazy stuff on stage and not to forget the Cadet Officers who went on stage to crack jokes and make all of us laugh with their funny antics.
4th Day: We headed out early in the morning to the Naval Diving Unit located beside the SAF Yacht Club. There, we were given the opportunity to view how the Naval Divers work and how their training was like. We also tried out the different weapons that were on display at the booths. There were different types of weapons that the Navy uses, from the smaller handguns to the larger sub machine guns. In the afternoon, there was a joyride on the Naval speed boats but sadly, due to time constraints and other factors, not everyone got a chance to ride. After the NDU visit, we headed to Tuas Naval Base and had a Navy career talk by the Navy Recruitment Officer. We were supposed to board the ship for a familiarisation visit but as luck would have it, the bad weather prevented us from doing so. Thus we were given refreshments as a compensation for missing out the ship visit.
Day 5: We were taken to the Survival Village located in another end of SISPEC. There, the Commando-trained Warrant Officer presented to us survival techniques and skills. We were taught how to build makeshift shelters and how to collect potable water in the jungle. Followed by that, all the cadets were gathered to witness a 'live' demonstration of how the Warrant Officers kill the quails and skin them for cooking. Other then quails, there were also crabs, chickens, frogs and eels that were killed for demonstration. The scene of blood squirting on the table and animals' gizzards exposed as their skins were ripped apart is sickening and definitely not for the faint-hearted. However, all the food don't go to waste as the Warrant officers and Specialists would cook it and consume it after we have left Survival Village. The killing is definitely not for fun and we should only do so at the last resort, as told by the Warrant Officers. They stood by the motto: "To survive, something has to die" which is so true when one is stuck in the middle of the jungle without any food or water.
At the end of Camp Pinnacle, we were given another talk before being presented with our badges in the parade square. Then, it was time for us to board the shuttle bus that would take us to the MRT Station. Many cadets would never forget the experience we gained during our 5 days there as we saw many things that not everyone could get to do so. Thus, we felt more privileged than the rest. It is almost impossible to forget the fun and good times that we had at PLC as well as the new friends that we made there. This has definitely been an enriching experience because we have learnt new things during the camp.
Reported By:
SSG Marcus Ho
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