SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii –
Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti," 3nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, welcomed Singapore Army soldiers to Hawaii during the opening ceremony for Tiger Balm 2014 at Weyand Field, here, today.
Brig. Gen. Todd B. McCaffrey, deputy commanding general-operations, 25th Infantry Division, officially announced the beginning of Tiger Balm 2014.
"Now entering its 34th year, this annual event allows our division to partner and improve our interoperability with one of Asia's most advanced and well trained army," said McCaffrey, during his opening ceremony remarks.
The United States Army Pacific Theater Security Cooperation Program exercise "Tiger Balm" is a bilateral exercise focused on strengthening the partnership between the U.S. and Singapore armies, through combined training missions. It also promotes stability and security in the Pacific region, while enhancing the two armies' interoperability with each other.
Tiger Balm 2014 will consist of a brigade-level command post exercise, and a company-level field training exercise, in which the U.S. Soldiers and the Singapore army will conduct infantry tactics, techniques and procedures, military operations on urban terrain, and lane training in counter-improvised explosive device operations.
"This year we are pleased and excited to see an entire rifle company present for this exercise and thrilled at the complex and realistic combined exercise the Soldiers will execute," said McCaffery.
Tactical communication on the battlefield is critical to the success of any operation involving multiple military units, especially units from different countries. Tiger Balm 2014 will provide the Cacti Soldiers an opportunity to train with their Singaporean counterparts, building interoperability and establishing solid working relationships between the militaries of both nations, and demonstrating the U.S. commitment in the Asia-Pacific Theater.
Tiger Balm has been conducted annually since 1981, with the location of the exercise rotating based on the last digit of the year.
In years ending in an odd number, the exercises takes place in Singapore. In years ending in an even number, it is conducted in Hawaii. Tiger Balm is the oldest standing bilateral exercise in Singapore Armed Forces' history. That fact speaks volumes to the close ties between both armies, that continue to grow through the decades of changing global political landscape.
"It is an honor for this division to host Tiger Balm 2014, we truly enjoy our interaction with the Singapore army," said McCaffery