Sungei Gedong Camp
A Comprehensive Guide to Sungei Gedong Camp: Home of the Transport Hub West
Sungei Gedong Camp is a key camp located in the Western part of Singapore within the Lim Chu Kang area near Tengah Airbase. It serves as the main base for Transport Hub West, which oversees transport operations, vehicle maintenance and supply chain logistics support for SAF units in the West.
This article provides an in-depth look at Sungei Gedong Camp, its history, layout, training facilities and operations that support SAF units in the West through integrated logistics.
Introduction to Sungei Gedong Camp
Sungei Gedong Camp is situated along Jalan Bahar in Lim Chu Kang, near the Tengah Air Base. It occupies 198 hectares of land and houses the Headquarters of Transport Hub West. Key facts:
- Main base for Army Transport Hub West
- Location: Along Jalan Bahar in Lim Chu Kang area
- Key Units: HQ Transport Hub West, Supply Depot, Vehicle Depots, Driving Training Institute
- Critical mobilisation node due to proximity to Tengah Air Base
- Rich heritage as the former base for British Army Royal Engineers
As a strategic transport and logistics base, Sungei Gedong Camp plays an indispensable role in supplying and sustaining SAF operations in Western Singapore through integrated logistics support.
History of Sungei Gedong Camp
Sungei Gedong Camp has a long history dating back to the 1850s. Some key milestones:
- 1850s: Area used for gambier and pepper plantations
- 1930s: Part of the British military base complex in the Mandai-Lim Chu Kang region
- 1936: Royal Engineers Workshop established
- 1942: Taken over by Japanese army during Occupation
- 1971: Camp handed over to Singapore Armed Forces
- 1972: Became main base for maintenance, supplies and transport
With its heritage from the British era, Sungei Gedong was repurposed and developed into a key logistics and maintenance base for SAF following Singapore's independence.
Roles and Functions
As HQ for Transport Hub West, Sungei Gedong Camp plays a key role.
Maintenance Hub
Provides maintenance, repair, and recovery support for military vehicles and assets used by units in West Singapore.
Transport Services
Provides land transport services like freight delivery, troop movement, and vehicle recovery. Operates workhorses like 3-tonners.
Supply Chain and Logistics
Oversees the procurement, storage, and delivery of supplies like arms, ammunition, rations, fuel, tools, and spares through the supply depot.
SAF Driving Institute
Conducts basic and tactical driving courses for all military vehicle types. Includes simulator training.
Disaster Support Staging Area
A strategic staging ground for SAF and SCDF emergency resources to rapidly deploy for relief operations during disasters.
Overall, Sungei Gedong Camp serves as a critical integrated logistics base, sustaining SAF operations and readiness in the West.
Key Features and Infrastructure
Let's examine the key features and infrastructure within Sungei Gedong Camp:
Parade Square
The main parade square is where key events, drills, inspections and ceremonies are conducted.
Headquarters Block
The headquarters building houses the offices of the Transport Hub West Commander and departments.
Barracks
Living quarters for personnel posted to the camp and transiting units. Includes mess halls.
Supply Depot
Fenced-up storage area for arms, ammunition, supplies and inventory management by Supply Hub West.
Maintenance Hangars
Workshop hangars for repair, maintenance and overhaul of vehicles like 3-tonners, TERREX, trailers etc.
Vehicle Parking Areas
Mass open-air parking areas for various vehicle types like 3-tonners, Land Rovers, cranes and trailers.
Training Facilities
Classrooms for instructional learning and driving simulator rooms to train vehicle operation skills.
Hardstandings
Concrete paved grounds for staging vehicles, equipment, container stacking and makeshift sleeping areas during operations.
Fitness Facilities
Features a running track, outdoor fitness stations and sports facilities like a basketball court for PT.
Cookhouse
Provides catering needs of personnel on camp including meals from the Muslim cookhouse.
With its speciality infrastructure geared for transport, logistics and maintenance, Sungei Gedong Camp serves its purpose optimally as an integrated logistics hub.
Heritage Assets
Several heritage landmarks in Sungei Gedong Camp offer a window into its past:
- Old British Military Railway tracks from the WWII era. Used to transport ammunition to the pier for shipping.
- Abandoned pillboxes dating from WWII when the area was part of British defences.
- Old granite slabs engraved with units like Royal Engineers.
- Old warehouse buildings from the British era are still in use. Mostly English architecture.
- Hedgerows from the old plantation days lined with Angsana trees.
- Historic Syonan Jinja Shrine built by the Japanese at MacRitchie Reservoir can be seen from the boundary.
These heritage traces evoke the strategic role of the area for defence from British times until today.
Key Units Based in Sungei Gedong Camp
The following key units are based in Sungei Gedong Camp:
Transport Hub West
Oversees land transport operations including freight delivery, troop transport, vehicle recovery and maintenance in West Singapore.
Supply Depot
Responsible for warehousing, inventory control and delivery of SAF supplies like arms, rations fuel and tools.
Vehicle Maintenance Centre
Provides maintenance, repair, recovery and overhaul services for all military vehicle types deployed in the West.
Driving and Servicing Institute
Conducts driving courses including Basic Driving Course and Tactical Driving Course for the operation of vehicles ranging from Land Rovers, Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles to armoured vehicles. Training includes driving simulators.
Disaster Relief Operations Centre
Leads SAF relief efforts by coordinating the transport of supplies and manpower via land assets during crises like major floods.
SAF Provost Unit Detachment
Provides security for the camp including access control and patrols. Detains and investigates servicemen who commit offences.
Other tenant units like National Cadet Corp (Sea) and HQ Guards add to the diversity of organisations on campgrounds.
The units collectively enable integrated logistics operations across transport, supply chain and maintenance dimensions.
Key Facilities at Sungei Gedong Camp
Let's look at the diverse range of facilities within Sungei Gedong Camp:
Vehicle Depots
Covered depots for parking, staging and conducting maintenance checks on standby fleet of vehicles like 3-Tonners.
Maintenance Hangars
Indoor workshop hangars with vehicle inspection pits, hoists, tools and parts storage for repair and overhaul work.
Warehouses
Storage warehouses for inventory control and stocking supplies like rations, lubricants, tools, spares, field equipment etc.
Simulator Training Facilities
Driving simulators with steering and displays for trainees to learn vehicle handling skills in a safety-controlled simulated environment.
Test Tracks
Specialised test tracks to train military driving skills like zig-zag, slope ascend/descend and rough terrain navigation.
Shooting Ranges
For mixed use including basic marksmanship practice by units and proficiency testing for armed guards.
Parade Grounds
Asphalt parade squares of various sizes for drills, rehearsals, ceremonies, mass PT and staging areas.
Disaster Response Staging Areas
Open grounds designated for SAF and SCDF to mobilise relief vehicles, equipment and supplies during emergency responses.
Training Classrooms
Air-conditioned classrooms equipped for instructional learning and driving theory lessons.
These purpose-built facilities enable Sungei Gedong Camp to perform its integrated logistics mission effectively.
Heritage Milestones
Some key heritage milestones associated with Sungei Gedong Camp:
- 1936: Sungei Gedong village established by Royal Engineers
- 1937: Construction of workshop buildings and hardstands
- 1939: Completion of Royal Engineers headquarters
- 1942: Controlled by the Japanese army during the occupation
- 1967: Handed over to SAF as Gedong Camp after the British withdrawal
- 1972: Became logistics, supplies and transport hub
- 1981: Renamed Sungei Gedong Camp
- 2011: New five-storey headquarters building completed
From its foundations by the British Royal Engineers to current SAF use, Sungei Gedong Camp has a long and rich history intertwined with Singapore's defence heritage.
Key Training
Various training is conducted in Sungei Gedong Camp: