HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Year 2012 passed by so swiftly and also witnessed the passing of many gunners, both officers and other ranks. Namely, we lost Lt. Col Jamaludin, Lt Col Zainal Din, Maj Dally,Maj. Nasarudin,Maj. Robert Lai and PW1 Mat Zain, PW1 Rashid, MG Hassan, Sjn Adenan (of the pioneer 89 people) PW2 AISIG Jaafar, among others. What this means is that fate to meet the creator is inevitable.That is simply the ultimate truth. This journey of life is short and can be memorable, if we want it to be so. 

The gunners club, with the sole effort of its secretary managed to secure 15 PJM medals for retired gunners from JHEV. Well done ! Maj. Ganeson (Retd). 

We also saw the celebration of 50 years for 1 ARTY and 25 years for 21 ARTY. I suppose that next in line would be 2 ARTY's celebration. Apart from the School, I served 3 ARTY, 2ARTY, 4ARTY and 3 Div Arty. All my postings in the units were very educational, challenging and of course full of camaraderie esp. among officers. Gunner officers stood tall in courses, in performance and as staff officers in ERE appointments. Ask any Commander of his gunner officer , and he shall only have few sad words. We were the best, with zest, I must say, without being branded a braggart. Then there were also the "champions", who will be remembered for many other reasons too. I have the deepest respect for all my senior officers who carried themselves well. Deeply hidden in my memory should be Musty, Brinder, Tan Say Loke, Hussein Kamal, Hermon, Aris Salim, Allen Lai,Syed Hussain, Halim Hariri,Chong Kok Heng and the others (there are so many more). I must admit that I was also supported by good junior officers and superb other ranks, especially the senior NCOs. A few days ago Nordin Salleh was promoted to Brig Gen and this heralds the new generation gunners with old beliefs and norms in senior appointments. Well done! Gen. Nordin. The gunner officers of my seniority and slightly more senior ones are slowly approaching the "TWILIGHT ZONE" ( To quote DATO' JAAFAR's description a few days ago). 

The Gees Club was launched in 2012 with the tremendous effort of Lt. Col Zulmajdi (Comdt Arty School). Well done Zul! You shall be remembered for a long time to come as the catalyst to unite IGs/MGs/TIGs/AIGs of the Malaysian Artillery. I was amazed and also embarrassed that I did not realise that IGs have existed for 50 years in our Artillery. To add to the embarrassment it was Lt. Gen. Dato'Jaafar (the first IG) who pointed it out.

  All in all it was a momentous year in 2012. May 2013 bring the gunners more glory, as it has always been. I take this opportunity to invite "Twilight Zone Gunners" to step forward to guide, contribute and develop the platform for retired gunners. It is no point admiring the gunners in other countries who have credible retired associations when we can our selves be one- if we will it. Ayuh, Jom and other catch phrases should not be depended on, it's simply - ONCE A GUNNER, ALWAYS A GUNNER. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUNNERS......HAVE A BLAST!

TO ALL GUNNERS

Iron Dome: Missile defense system a game changer, Israelis say

By Michael Martinez, CNN

November 18, 2012 -- Updated 0306 GMT (1106 HKT)

An Iron Dome system in Ashdod, Israel, launches to intercept a rocket fired from Gaza on Saturday.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Israel's missile system targets rockets fired from Gaza
• In 2011, Israeli military said Iron Dome had 70% success rate, IHS Jane's says
• The system is highly mobile and can be set up in hours
• The United States has allocated a total of $275 million for Iron Dome

(CNN) -- Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system is figuring prominently in the unfolding aerial conflictwith Hamas' military wing in Gaza.

Iron Dome is being credited with protecting Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities by blocking some of the rockets fired from Gaza.

Over the past three days, 737 rockets from Gaza were fired upon Israel: 492 landed, but 245 were intercepted by the system, Israel Defense Forces said Saturday.

What is it?

The name Iron Dome evokes an image of a protective bubble over a city. In practice, Iron Dome is a defense against short-range rockets and mortar shells: the system targets incoming rockets and fires an interceptor missile to destroy them midair.

 Photos: Violence flares between Palestinians, Israelis

Each battery has a firing-control radar to identify targets and a portable missile launcher. The system is easily transportable, with just a few hours needed to relocate and set up.

The missile is highly maneuverable. It is three meters, or almost 10 feet, long; has a diameter of about six inches; and weighs 90 kilograms, or 198 pounds, according to the security analysis group IHS Jane's.

The warhead is believed to carry 11 kilograms, or 24 pounds, of high explosives, IHS Jane's said. Its range is from 4 kilometers to 70 kilometers -- or 2.5 miles to 43 miles.

What the violence means

What are the origins of Iron Dome?

Israel began developing the ground-based system in 2007.

After a series of test flights in 2008 and 2009, the first deployment of a battery occurred in southern Israel in 2011, according to IHS Jane's and the IDF. The Israel Air Force reported an interception success rate of 70% in 2011, IHS Jane's said.

Israel credits "breakthrough technology" and the system's radar. Iron Dome confronts multiple threats simultaneously, in all weather conditions, the Israeli military said.

"The radar detects a rocket launch and passes information regarding its path to the control center, which calculates the predicted point of impact," the IDF said. "If this location justifies an interception, a missile is fired to intercept the rocket. The payload of the interceptor missile explodes near the rocket, in a place that is not expected to cause injuries."

Each Iron Dome battery costs $50 million, IHS Jane's said. A missile costs at least $62,000, Israeli officials said.

iReport: Photos from inside the protests in Israel

Is the United States involved in Iron Dome?

Yes.

The initial development was solely by Israel's defense technology company Rafael, but the system has since been heavily sponsored by the United States.

In May 2010, the U.S. House approved a plan to allocate $205 million for Iron Dome. In July, President Barack Obama announced $70 million in U.S. funding.

"This is a program that has been critical in terms of providing security and safety for Israeli families," Obama said of the system. "It is a program that has been tested and has prevented missile strikes inside of Israel."

Beginning of ground attack?

How important is Iron Dome?

Israel has deployed five Iron Dome batteries, but in March, a defense ministry official told CNN that Israel would need up to 13 batteries to cover all its borders. Israel plans to deploy a total of nine batteries by 2013, Israeli media reported.

The system is considered a game changer, Israeli officials said earlier this year.

"Eliminating the ability to hit strategic targets may lead Hamas to rethink the efficiency of acquiring the rockets it has used in the past," former Israeli ambassador to the United States Dore Gold said in March.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that same month: "The Iron Dome system has proven itself very well and we will, of course, see to its expansion in the months and years ahead."

Other countries have expressed interest buying the system, including the United States, South Korea and several NATO countries in Europe with military forces in Afghanistan, the Jerusalem Post reported in March.

Pictorial Update - Colonel Bob Zain

Colonel Bob Zain (rtd)

I met Colonel Zain some years ago. Managed to find a photo of him taken in 2007. Hearty and strong as ever.

Allen Lai

Pictorial Update - Colonel Bakar Salleh

Colonel Bakar Salleh (rtd)

Met Colonel Bakar Salleh for the first time in years at the RAFOC dinner on 3 November 2012. He is fit, stout and never showed his age. What a wonderful meeting. He has the look of a successful elderly statesman  /businessman or Penghulu. Let his recent photo show his good health and contagious smile.

Allen Lai

Attitude

Attitude is one of the most important traits in soldiering. This episode sums it up


Soldier: Sir, We are surrounded by all sides by enemies.

Major: Excellent! WE can attack in any direction.


Take care

Allen Lai

Robert Lai Kok Nong

Robert Lai

Robert Lai joined 2 ARTY in 1967. He was commissioned from the FMC SSC10th Intake. Robert had served in 1ART, 2ARTY and 3 ARTY and also served in 2 DIV and other staff appointments. He had taken optional retirement as a Major after serving almost 20 years.

We all remember Robert as a no nonsense officer, strict and very professional. He was a keen game hunter, golfer and had participated passionately in many other outdoor activities. He was a very likeable officer and easy to get along with once the ice was broken.

We became fast friends and neighbours in Kem Terendak in the 1980s. He had settled down in Kluang after leaving service. Most will remember that Robert lived an active outdoor life, hunting in the Jamaluang Johore forests , fishing and diving trips in Pulau Tioman.

Robert Lai passed away unexpectedly on 20 October 2012 leaving behind his wife Len, three married daughters and 10 grandchildren.

May you Rest in Peace, Robert. We will miss you and your contagious smiles and laughter.

Allen Lai