ADAPTING
Even as these measures were being developed and implemented quickly, the SAF continued to draw on information coming in from its own units and partners in other organisations in Singapore to adjust its policies. As the Ministry of Health (MOH) learnt more about COVID-19 and updated its guidance, the SAF made the necessary adjustments.
The SAF also tapped on the experience of international partners. BG Neo held regular video conferences with counterparts such as LG John Frewen, Commander of Australia's Defence COVID-19 Task Force, and MG Tiopan Aritonang, Director of Operations in the Indonesian Armed Forces Joint Staff, to share best practices and learn from one another. As these armed forces were, like the SAF, constantly having to adapt to COVID-19, learning from their experiences helped the SAF in developing useful and sensible ways to adapt training policies.
BG David Neo speaking to Director General of Health Services LG Dato' Pahlawan (Dr) Md Amin bin Muslan and Deputy Inspector General BG Hj Anas bin Hj Hassan from the Malaysian Armed Forces (on screen).
Source: MINDEF
With the early successes in dealing with COVID-19 within the military and a growing understanding of the virus, the SAF was able to make two key adjustments. First, it quickly moved to exploit data analytics to track the transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the SAF and also to support the work of the various SAF Task Forces which had been set up to combat COVID-19. With rigorous analysis of the available data, the SAF became more targeted and effective in contact tracing, which helped to slow the spread.
Second, the SAF exploited technology and tapped on the Defence Technology Community (DTC) as a force multiplier. One of the first phone calls JOD received during the pandemic was from Ms Ngiam Le Na, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) of Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), offering the DTC's assistance. Within hours, a team of DSTA engineers and DSO National Laboratories (DSO) scientists joined the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)-SAF Operations Centre, to solve problems alongside SAF officers.
The close partnership of Ops and Tech communities, with DTC engineers and scientists working in lockstep with the SAF as an integral part of the team, would characterise the SAF's approach in every WoG Task Force that it was asked to lead or contribute to. This close ops-tech partnership enabled the SAF to exploit relevant technology to achieve better operational outcomes in its fight against COVID-19.
DSTA engineer providing support to SAF personnel who assisted MOH in contact tracing.
Source: MINDEF
A quick and early payoff came with the roll-out of the pulse oximeter once it was established that there was a correlation between the blood oxygen level and severity of COVID-19. As this humble device could give an early indicator that a patient's condition was at risk of deteriorating rapidly, it enabled the SAF to take quick medical action to keep its people safe.
