MINDEF - Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Singapore

05/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/08/2026 22:19

The SAF and United States Marine Corps Successfully Conclude Exercise Valiant Mark

Soldiers from the SAF and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) participating in urban operations training as part of Exercise Valiant Mark (XVM).
Soldiers from both militaries participating in a live-firing exercise.
Soldiers exchange professional knowledge on a small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) drone, during a training session.
Commanding Officer of the SAF troops, Lieutenant Colonel Chia Kai Bin (Right) and Commanding Officer 3rd Light Armoured Reconnaissance battalion Lieutenant Colonel John J. Dick (Left) co-officiated the closing ceremony of Exercise Valiant Mark 2026, witnessed by Commander 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade COL Koo Kai Siong (Centre).

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) successfully conducted the 28th edition of the annual bilateral exercise, Exercise Valiant Mark (XVM), from 27 April to 8 May 2026. Commanding Officer of the SAF's exercise troops, Lieutenant Colonel Chia Kai Bin and Commanding Officer, 3rd Light Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion (3d LAR), Lieutenant Colonel John J. Dick co-officiated the closing ceremony at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre (MCAGCC), California.

About 250 personnel from the SAF's 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, 1st Battalion Singapore Guards and the Army Deployment Force, and the USMC 3d LAR participated in the exercise. The exercise included professional exchanges on the use of unmanned capabilities, as well as urban operations training and live-firing, culminating in a battalion-level amphibious mission.

Launched in 1991, XVM underscores the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and the US. The two militaries interact regularly through numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises, high-level visits, professional exchanges as well as the cross-attendance of courses and seminars. These mutually beneficial exchanges have enhanced professionalism and forged strong rapport and camaraderie among their personnel.

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