Marines Launch Urban Warfare Drills in Singapore

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) began Exercise Valiant Mark 2025, alongside the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards (3 GDS) and 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7 SIB), in a ceremony held on 17 March aboard Bedok Camp, Singapore. This year’s exercise marks the 27th iteration of Valiant Mark since its inception in 1991. The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General Michael S. Cederholm, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Colonel Wong Pui Chuan, Chief Guards Officer (CGO), commanding officer, 21st Singapore Division. Valiant Mark 25 training will continue through March 26.

This year, a combined force of approximately 800 Singapore Guardsmen and U.S. Marines will conduct training in small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) employment, expert-led intelligence exchanges, a live-fire weapons range, culminating in a final field exercise focused on air assault operations and military operations in urban terrain. During the execution of the field exercise, the Marines and Guardsmen will perform a platoon exchange for the duration of the training, placing one platoon of Guardsmen under the operational control of the Marine Corps company, and vice versa to increase the interoperability of the U.S.-Singapore force and build relationships between personnel. Adding a new level of complexity to Valiant Mark, the Marines and Guardsmen will conduct a combined assault on SAFTI City, the Singapore Armed Forces’ newest and most advanced urban training facility equipped with advanced technology to better replicate a real-world scenario in an urban environment. MRF-SEA will be the first partner-nation force to train at the SAFTI City facility.

MRF-SEA conducted Valiant Mark 24 alongside 3 GDS Guardsmen in December of last year. With a quick return to Singapore for more training, the rotational force is primed and ready to build upon the success of last year's exercise with Singaporean partners to increase warfighting capabilities by enhancing interoperability and partnerships. This exercise reinforces the U.S. and Singapore commitment to regional stability and security, ensuring the Indo-Pacific region remains stable and secure through strong partnership and cooperation.

"Conducting back-to-back iterations of Valiant Mark with the Singapore Guards is an exceptional opportunity to increase our collective lethality and interoperability as a U.S.-Singapore force," said Col. Stuart Glenn, the commanding officer of MRF-SEA. "Our unit’s strong relationship with 3rd Guards and the 7th SIB will act as a catalyst and ensure this year’s exercise is more beneficial than ever. We will tackle new challenges, enhance our combined capabilities, and set the stage for future Valiant Mark exercises and a secure region for many years to come."

The United States and Singapore enjoy a strong defense partnership, built on cooperation and mutual interest. This partnership enables enhanced interoperability between our militaries, allowing for seamless cooperation, and underscores our commitment to the region.