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:

Unit-level Training

Units conduct vocational training including regimentation, technical skills, operational drills, fitness training etc.

Driving Courses

Courses like Basic Driving Instruction (BDI) and Tactical Driving Instruction (TDI) train motor transport operators driving skills for all vehicle types.

Simulator Training

Driving simulators allow trainees to build skills safely in a controlled, simulated environment before hands-on training.

Specialist Courses

Niche courses for selected personnel like Supply Assistant Course, and articulated vehicle maintenance course.

Safety Training

Includes training like forklift operation certification and chemical safety when handling hazardous supplies like fuel and lubricants.

The camp's facilities support training and skills upgrading for various vocations associated with integrated logistics like transport operators, supply assistants, mechanics and warehousing specialists.

Key Activities

Typical activities in Sungei Gedong Camp include:

Vehicle Maintenance

Servicing, repairing and inspecting standby fleet of vehicles to ensure SAF transport readiness.

Inventory Management

Receiving, warehousing, stocktakes, delivery and record-keeping for arms, supplies and spares.

Dispatch Operations

Planning and executing the delivery of supplies and assets using a fleet of vehicles like 3-tonners and field trucks.

Driving Training

Conducting basic and tactical driving courses for motor transport operators driving Land Rovers, 3-tonners, cranes etc.

Exercises and Deployments

Activating units in the camp for mobilized missions, field exercises, disaster relief deployments etc.

Equipment Assembly

Assembling supplies like ration packs and ordnance for delivery to units as part of deployment preparation.

The operations reflect integrated logistics activities across transport, supply chain, maintenance and driving training workstreams.

Importance of Sungei Gedong Camp

Strategic Mobilisation Hub

Critical staging ground for SAF and SCDF resources to rapidly deploy via land assets during contingencies and disasters.

Western Defence Hub

Strengthened SAF presence and operations in Western Singapore to bolster national defence.

Next-Generation Logistics

Serves as a testbed for innovative logistics technology like automated warehousing, delivery drones and driverless vehicles.

Total Defence Nexus

Enables operational readiness by interfacing and supporting Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and Civil Defence units through logistics.

Heritage Site

Preserved landmarks like British-era warehouses and Royal Engineers tracks evoke memories of Singapore’s colonial defence heritage.

Key Node for SAF Transformation

The Next-Gen camp leverages technology to drive supply chain efficiencies and raise logistics capabilities.

National Service Touchpoint

Many National Servicemen experience unit life, driving training and guard duty postings at Sungei Gedong Camp.

In many strategic aspects, Sungei Gedong Camp provides indispensable support as Singapore’s key integrated defence logistics hub sustaining total defence capabilities.

Amenities and Facilities

Amenities on camp include:

- Air-conditioned mess halls with halal food catering

- Mini-marts for shopping conveniences

- Recreation facilities like cardio room, basketball court

- Mosque for Muslim religious activities

- Shuttle buses to nearby MRT stations

- WiFi hotspots for internet connectivity

Welfare amenities ensure personnel posted to Sungei Gedong Camp enjoy conveniences and respite from work.

Interesting Facts

Some notable facts about Sungei Gedong Camp:

- Was named Royal Engineers Workshop during British times about the Royal Engineers Regiment.

- Old concrete plaques engraved 'RE Workshop' can still be seen today.

- Driving courses conduct training on paved slopes within the camp to simulate uphill driving.

- Hosts key celebrations like SAF Day rehearsals and National Day observances.

- Firing ranges allow NSmen to maintain marksmanship standards for guard duty.

- Mosque facilities cater for Muslim personnel needs including recitation of Friday prayers.

- A long perimeter fence of approximate 5km encloses the large campgrounds.

- Old British-built warehouses remain in use - a testament to their sturdy construction.

Sungei Gedong Camp is steeped in history while remaining strategically relevant today.

SAF Transformation Plans

As part of the SAF’s transformation into a next-generation defence force, the following key upgrades will be made to Sungei Gedong Camp:

- Construction of purpose-built covered vehicle storage, maintenance and inspection facilities to boost maintenance productivity.

- Developing an advanced Supply Chain centre with automated warehousing technologies like storage drones, robotics and system integration.

- Testing advanced material handling equipment like automated guided vehicles and collaborative robots to enhance manpower efficiency.

- Introducing augmented/virtual reality solutions to boost training realism, visualisation and analytics.

- Equipping training facilities with simulation systems, driving simulators and virtual touch tables for immersive learning.

- Implementing eco-friendly solutions like solar panels, green building design and electric vehicles.

- Leveraging technologies like data analytics, sensors, and the Internet of-Things across logistics processes to enhance efficiency.

- Building smart systems integration capabilities by testing emerging technologies on site.

The Next-Gen initiatives will position Sungei Gedong Camp at the cutting edge of defence logistics technology adoption.

In conclusion, Sungei Gedong Camp provides a strong fundamental base for enabling SAF operations and readiness in Western Singapore through integrated logistics support.

It has strategically supported SAF transport, supply chain, and maintenance needs for 50 years, continuing its heritage from the colonial Royal Engineers.

Moving forward, Sungei Gedong Camp’s progressive adoption of innovative logistics technologies will bolster operations, training quality, and service delivery for the units it supports.

It will continue strengthening the sinews of SAF capability and transforming defence logistics as a strategic node for next-generation defence. Sungei Gedong Camp remains integral to the Army and Singapore’s overall national defence infrastructure.