U.S. Marines and Singapore Guards Begin the 27th Iteration of Exercise Valiant Mark in Singapore

SLIDESHOW | images | 250317-M-DC769-1066 U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Louis Collins, left, a company commander with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Singapore Guardsman Lt. Col. Mohamad Fahrul Bin Saaid, the commanding officer for 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, pose for a photo during the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 25 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, March 17, 2025. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability, build mutual defense capabilities, and strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and Singapore Armed Forces. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

SLIDESHOW | images | 250317-M-DC769-1018 U.S. Marines attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, alongside Singapore Guardsmen with 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, stand-by for the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 25 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, March 17, 2025. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability, build mutual defense capabilities, and strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and Singapore Armed Forces. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

SLIDESHOW | images | 250317-M-DC769-1089 U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, attached to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct the opening ceremony for Valiant Mark 25 on Bedok Camp, Singapore, March 17, 2025. Valiant Mark is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability, build mutual defense capabilities, and strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and Singapore Armed Forces. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I MEF executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF stand-in presence west of the international date line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

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.

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POINT OF CONTACT:
Capt. Mark McDonough
Communication Strategy & Operations Director
Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia
+1 (760) 799-4590
mark.mcdonough@usmc.mil