Bersama Lima - Five Together: Celebrating 50 Years and Beyond
Research and writing by Keith Hockton
Editing and indexing by Sharon Giraud
Book design and layout by Adrian Cheah
Introduction
Welcome to, ‘Bersama Lima – Celebrating 50 Years and Beyond’, the story of the fifty years of multilateral cooperation between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom under the Five Power Defence Arrangements. ‘Bersama Lima – Celebrating 50 Years and Beyond’ is intended to walk you through the Five Power Defence Arrangements history interwoven with personal recollections and finishing with a view of what lies ahead. A fitting tribute to a proud history and a bright future.
Much has changed since 1971 when the relatively new nations of Malaysia and Singapore were making their place in the world.
Fifty years on we see that this principled and long-standing multilateral arrangement, the Five Power Defence Arrangements, has matured into a high-performing team of peers in the region who continually work to advance the Arrangements and further strengthen relationships through collaboration. In doing so, each nation brings diverse skills and capabilities to the fore and through courage, mutual respect, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork contributes to strengthening the defence of Malaysia and Singapore. Having personally been involved in the region since the late 1980s, it is inspiring to see the Five Power Defence Arrangements adapt to the ever-changing environment and the substantial progress that has been made. This leads me to believe that, if the past fifty years are any indication, the future is bright.
It is clear that none of this would happen without the undaunted commitment and leadership of the Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers, the Five Power Defence Arrangements Chiefs of Defence, the Committees, the service men and women, our HQIADS locally employed civilians as well as the support and welcome from the Penang locals. This is the Five Power Defence Arrangements community, and it is emblematic of the strength of relationships in the region.
In closing I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to ‘Bersama Lima – Celebrating 50 Years and Beyond’. I would also like to thank the book’s author and researcher, Keith Hockton, graphic designer, Adrian Cheah who has told an exciting story through stunning visuals and acknowledge the editorial work of Sharon Giraud.
I hope you enjoy this stroll through the proud history of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and I look forward to what the future holds.
Air Vice-Marshal Geoffrey Harland, AM CSC DSM RAAF
Commander Integrated Area Defence System
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Contents
List of Abbreviations – x
Preface and Acknowledgements – xv
Introduction by AVM Geoffrey Harland – xviii
Part One: The Past to the Present (Bahagian Pertama – Dahulu Hingga Kini) – 1
The Five Power Defence Arrangements – The Start of Something Rather Special 4
RMAF Butterworth Air Base: A Brief History of the Home of HQIADS – 11
The Five Power Defence Arrangements Principles – 18
The Evolution of the FPDA – 20
The HQIADS Crest – 28
Bringing the Five Power Defence Arrangements to Life through Action – 29
Governance of the FPDA – 32
FPDA Personnel Training – From Air to Area and Joint Operations – 37
FPDA Professional Fora and the FPDA Seminar – To Challenge Convention – 40
FPDA Exercises – 43
HQIADS Staff Visits – 59
Part Two: The People (Bahagian Kedua – Warga HQIADS/FPDA) – 63
The Leadership Team – 64
The Commander’s Coins – 115
Reflections from the Community – 120
The Locally Employed Civilians – 129
Operation Home Front – Family Support – 133
The Brat Returnees – 141
Part Three: Looking Forward (Bahagian Ketiga – Hala Tuju FPDA) – 145
New Challenges and The Future – 148
Conclusion – 163
Bibliography – 164
Index – 169
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Keith Hockton
2021, Entrepot Publishing Sdn Bhd
This book was produced with the generous support of The Five Power Defence Arrangements
Copyright © 2021 The Five Power Defence Arrangements
Text Copyright © The Five Power Defence Arrangements
Hardcover. 24 cm x 28.5 cm, 192 pages
Language: English
Illustrated throughout
Research and writing by Keith Hockton
Editing and indexing by Sharon Giraud
Design and layout by Adrian Cheah
Printed by Phoenix Press Sdn Bhd
Available at https://entrepotpublishing.com/
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Preface and Acknowledgements
When I was asked to write the 50th anniversary book of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), by then CIADS Air Vice-Marshal Tim Innes in late 2018 I was intrigued by the prospect of learning something about a subject that I knew very little about.
I was on an exciting journey of discovery, and from a writer’s perspective it really is one of the best journeys that one can embark upon. Being a writer not associated with any branch of the military I feel that I was given more leeway than had I been in the military. I had unbridled access to those serving the FPDA, from generals to privates, to the engaging and funny, and sometimes cheeky, locally employed civilians (LECs). Having no rank allowed me access that required little to no protocol. One and all were happy to chat to me, and I felt very much at home in their tight-knit, close community. Here were five nations working together who respected and trusted each other completely.
There were some exciting moments on the journey too. One day I arrived at the base on my eleven-year-old Vespa, (top speed 70 km an hour), which was unusual as I normally take the car. To get to the Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System (HQIADS), one must drive around the perimeter of the base and past the beginning of the main runway. On this day as I came to that section, I saw that the lights were on. Not really giving it much thought I turned and passed the start of the runway and turned again into the straight, with the runway parallel on my left. To my great surprise an F/A-18D Hornet landed next to me which was an opportunity not to be missed. Doing my best impression of Tom Cruise in Top Gun, I put my head down and raced the jet along the runway to the great amusement of the pilot. He smiled and waved, and I laughed and waved back. I daresay he has never been challenged by a Vespa before, and probably never will again.
I also had the distinct privilege of being present in a meeting in Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian Chief of Defence Force, General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Affendi Buang, a four-star general, when he was presented with an Australian slouch hat by two serving Australian officers in the FPDA. As we entered his outer sanctum we were informed by his aide-de-camp that we had twenty minutes, and not a minute longer, of his time. Some one hour and forty minutes later we left. The very fact that the FPDA had access to this four-star general told me volumes about this unique organisation, and the importance of the relationships that the FPDA has fostered, and were continuing to foster, on their 50th anniversary.
General Affendi is an engaging man and had been a pilot at RMAF Base Butterworth as a junior officer. When I asked him for his favourite memory of his time there as a pilot he said, “Serving with the Australian pilots”. When I asked him why, he smiled and continued, “They had the best food. At night in the officer’s mess, usually at around 10:00 pm, they would bring out the last meal of the day, and we refused to leave before that meal was served. Malaysians love our food you know.”
Researching this book has accumulated many debts. Firstly, my thanks to Sharon Giraud for her research, advice, editing, indexing and for compiling the bibliography. I would also like to thank Air Vice-Marshal Geoffrey Harland, Brigadier General Dato’ Tong Veng Leong, Colonel Yap Kwee Chye and Colonel Lau Mun Leng for their insight on all things military, for their relentless assistance, and for introductions that I would never have made on my own. A heart felt thank you to Flight Lieutenant Dan Judas. Without him this would be a very different book.
Many others have also given invaluable assistance. Thanks to Brett Clarke, Sarah Craig, Hanum Faridah, Molly Henman, Melissa Krause, Joan Michael, and Charles Nelson. Also to Dalilah Aziz Ariarasa, Gretchen Fryar, Low Chung Guan and Rodger Ward. Special thanks to Imogen Telfer at the Air Force Imagery Archives for some of the more compelling images I used. To my father, a WWII RAF fighter pilot for his warm encouragement who sadly passed away before this publication went to print, and to Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Paule (Rtd), who corresponded with me on numerous occasions and critiqued particular chapters without being tasked to do so.
My intention as writer of this story, is to take the reader back to the beginning of the formation of the FPDA and the Integrated Air Defence System (IADS), and to try and give an understanding of how this unique organisation came into being. I will attempt to show how it has evolved, how strong the bonds are between the participating nations, and to try and convey an understanding of what it means to the men and women who serve under the banner of the FPDA. I also wanted to source the very best photographs representing the five nations to give you some idea of what I have experienced on my journey. After 50 years as a cohesive team, they deserve that.
So, here is their story. In my mind it is an organisation that showcases courage, respect, integrity, professionalism, and teamwork, and I hope the next 50 years are just as successful.
Keith Hockton, 2021