The Army Deployment Force Was Created To Face Terror, Chaos And Crisis - In A Heartbeat
At Nee Soon Camp nine years ago today, on 12 Jul 2016, a new breed of soldier was introduced – the Army Deployment Force (ADF).
The ADF is a lean, mean, rapid-response team created to tackle modern-day threats at the drop of a hat… or camo helmet. They literally train to be ready at the push of a button.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@OURSINGAPOREARMY
What’s the ADF?
Think of them as Singapore’s own elite task force trained to jump into action against anything from terrorist threats to natural disasters. Born in response to rising global terror threats like the 2015 Paris attacks, the ADF was created to be a highly responsive, highly trained unit that could handle emergencies in both urban and non-urban environments.
While they’re a relatively new formation, the ADF is made up of 600 full-time regular servicemen mostly from the Guards formation. Their motto? "Always Ready."
Their first mission - Iraq
Barely a month after they were inaugurated, the ADF was sent into action. In Aug 2016, ADF servicemen were deployed to Iraq to help provide security for Singapore’s medical teams assisting in the international fight against ISIS.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@OURSINGAPOREARMY
So what do they actually do?
Besides dealing with terrorism, the ADF is also trained to help with peace support operations and even humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. They work hand-in-hand with other key forces like the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) and the Island Defence Task Force (IDTF), plus collaborate with Home Team agencies when needed.
It’s not easy getting in
To wear the ADF patch, you can’t just be fit – you have to be ADF fit. All members must survive a 5-month Combat Qualification Course (CQC). Think: months of tough physical and mental training, plus skillsets such as weapon handling, unarmed combat, urban warfare, and fast-roping and rappelling.
And just to prove they’re not playing around, recruits must complete a 10km march in 90 minutes, a “warrior competition” (sounds intense already), and an 18-hour finale exercise to test everything they’ve learned.
(2SG) De Souza Kimberly Yvette became the first female ADF operator last month. | IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@OURSINGAPOREARMY
In June 2025, Second Sergeant (2SG) De Souza Kimberly Yvette made history as the first servicewoman to complete the ADF’s Combat Qualification Course and graduate as a full-fledged operator.
Her achievement didn’t come easy. She credits her success to the intensive preparatory phase of the course – from twice-daily physical training to meticulous operational drills – all of which pushed her beyond her physical and mental limits. But with steady guidance from her seniors, trainers, and unit, she stepped into the CQC fully prepared and ready to excel.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@OURSINGAPOREARMY
They train all over the region too
To keep sharp and ready, ADF troops also take part in bilateral and multinational military exercises, mostly in the Indo-Pacific region. This helps to strengthen ties with foreign forces, test out strategies in joint ops, and make sure everyone can work together in a real crisis.
In other words, ADF doesn’t just respond to threats – they stay "Always Ready” ahead of them. From counter-terrorism to natural disasters, the ADF’s job is to protect not just Singaporeans at home – but also uphold our nation’s values and commitments overseas.
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