No new role for Singapore contingent

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 14

No new role for Singapore contingent

NZPA Singapore The Government’s decision to take part with the United States and Australia in. heightened defence surveillance of the Indian Ocean has had-, no effect on the New Zealand Force in South-east Asia, stationed at Singapore. Brigadier John Mace, commander of the force, said that the decision taken at the last A.N.Z.U.S. council meeting in Washington had. not brought any changes to the force’s activities. A farewell visit to the force was made by the Chief of the Defence Staff (Sir Richard Bolt) during the Easter holidays, and the next big event facing the unit was a scheduled changeover of about a third of its complement. The change will affect about 300 troops and their dependants from among the total force strength of 1000 serv.icemen. “We are gearing up for

. this now, and if will take place next month,” said Brigadier Mace. “Once the changeover is complete, we will focus on integrating the new members into the force, in preparation for; brigade level exercises with the Malaysians during September and October.” Brigadier Mace said thaf the force continued to run simulated game exercises ' at its headquarters, and these were regularly attended by military observers from the five A.S.E.A.N. countries and reservists of the Singapore forces. He said that the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate Canterbury was expected to reach Singapore on May 6 for a visit, after calls at Japan and the Philippines. Her stay at Singapore would represent the first call by a New Zealand frigate since November, 1978.