'A different experience': NSF finds memorable moments in friendships, life in Australia during Exercise Wallaby 2026

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia — For 21-year-old Corporal Asriel Ngoh, some of the most memorable moments of his first year of national service have taken place not during training, but while running with his bunk mates through the Australian countryside.

Deployed to Queensland for Exercise Wallaby 2026, the full-time national serviceman (NSF) said the pleasant weather and scenic trails around Camp Tilpal have made running with his friends one of his favourite experiences during the exercise.

"There are many views right there at Iron Peak, which is a mountain that we use for our running trails," he said.

Ngoh, who arrived in Australia on Sept 1, is part of the exercise's Forward Support Group, where he serves as a C4 logistics operator.

C4 stands for command, control, communications and computers.

His work involves preparing and issuing equipment, including radios, antennas, batteries and vehicle sets, for personnel from various units conducting outfield training and operations.

While the role involves handling equipment behind the scenes, Ngoh said the opportunity to work alongside servicemen from different formations has been a significant part of his experience.

"Between training in Singapore and training in Australia, I would definitely choose training in Australia because it's really a different experience," he said.

"It's a different atmosphere, and I get to meet a lot more people outside of my signals formation, be it liaising with transport, logistics, maintenance, etc."

Behind the scenes of Exercise Wallaby

Before the equipment could be shipped to Australia, Ngoh and the other NSFs spent time collating, cleaning and packing supplies for the exercise.

Australia has strict biosecurity requirements for equipment entering the country, making the preparation process an important part of the deployment.

Once in Australia, his workday typically begins with breakfast before first parade at around 7.45am.

He then heads to the container city to help fulfil equipment orders for units preparing for outfield activities and operations, with work usually ending around 4pm. After that, he is free.

Ngoh and his bunk mates unwind by exercising or having supper at the canteen.

The recently available gym, equipped with modern fitness equipment, is another facility he looks forward to using during his free time.

These everyday routines have become part of what makes the overseas deployment stand out for him.

"I would definitely describe Exercise Wallaby as the main highlight of my first year as an NSF," he said.

"It's a privilege to be able to be deployed in an overseas area for such a long time."

Keeping music close, even overseas

Away from his duties, Ngoh is a music buff.

He learnt to play the piano from a young age and recently taught himself to play the guitar, spending his free time experimenting with music.

Although he has not been able to practise playing instruments during the deployment, he continues to listen to music whenever he can.

His current favourite genre is R&B, and he has recently been listening to American pop rock band LANY.

One song he particularly enjoys is The Prettiest Thing I've Ever Seen .

With no musical instruments available during the deployment, listening to music has been one way for him to stay connected to an interest he pursues outside of NS.

Looking forward to home

Despite enjoying his time in Australia, Ngoh said one thing he looks forward to most after the deployment is seeing his family again.

He said his family was initially surprised by the opportunity, given how long he would be away, but remained supportive and helped him prepare mentally for the extended stay.

They keep in touch through video calls.

"I look forward to meeting my family and spending time with my loved ones, because it's been such a long time since I've seen them," he said.

With about 11 months of NS remaining, Ngoh said the people he has met and the experiences he has gained during Exercise Wallaby have made his first year of service particularly memorable.

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com

澳大利亚罗克汉普顿——对于 21 岁的下士 Asriel Ngoh 来说，他第一年国民服役中最难忘的时刻并非发生在训练期间，而是在与他的同屋伙伴一起穿越澳大利亚乡村时发生的。

这位被派往昆士兰参加 2026 年袋鼠演习的全职国民服役人员 (NSF) 表示，蒂尔帕尔营地周围宜人的天气和风景优美的步道，让他和朋友们一起跑步成为演习期间他最喜欢的体验之一。

“铁峰那里有很多风景优美的地方，我们跑步的路线就沿着这座山进行，”他说。

9月1日抵达澳大利亚的吴先生是此次演习的前沿支援小组的一员，担任C4后勤操作员。

C4 代表指挥、控制、通信和计算机。

他的工作包括为各个部队进行野外训练和作战的人员准备和发放设备，包括无线电、天线、电池和车载设备。

吴先生表示，虽然他的工作涉及幕后设备操作，但有机会与来自不同部队的军人并肩工作是他经历中非常重要的一部分。

他说：“如果要在新加坡和澳大利亚接受培训，我肯定会选择在澳大利亚接受培训，因为那真的是一种截然不同的体验。”

“这里的气氛不一样，我有机会接触到信号部队以外的更多人，比如与运输、物流、维护等部门联络。”

袋鼠演习幕后花絮

在设备运往澳大利亚之前，吴和其他国民服役人员花时间整理、清洁和包装演习所需的物资。

澳大利亚对进入该国的设备有严格的生物安全要求，因此准备过程是部署的重要组成部分。

抵达澳大利亚后，他的工作日通常从早餐开始，然后大约在早上 7 点 45 分参加第一次阅兵。

之后，他前往集装箱城，协助各部队完成野外活动和作战所需的装备订单，工作通常在下午4点左右结束。之后，他就自由了。

Ngoh 和他的室友们会通过锻炼或在食堂吃晚饭来放松身心。

最近新开放的健身房配备了现代化的健身器材，这是他期待在空闲时间使用的另一项设施。

这些日常习惯已经成为让他觉得海外部署与众不同的原因之一。

“我绝对会把‘袋鼠演习’描述为我作为国家科学军官第一年的最大亮点，”他说。

“能够长期驻扎海外是一种荣幸。”

即使身处海外，也要让音乐触手可及。

工作之余，吴先生是一位音乐爱好者。

他从小学习钢琴，最近又自学了吉他，利用空闲时间尝试各种音乐。

虽然在部署期间他无法练习演奏乐器，但他仍然尽可能地听音乐。

他目前最喜欢的音乐类型是 R&B，最近一直在听美国流行摇滚乐队 LANY 的歌。

他特别喜欢的一首歌是《我见过的最美的东西》。

由于服役期间没有乐器可用，听音乐成了他与自己在国民服役之外的兴趣保持联系的一种方式。

期待回家

尽管在澳大利亚过得很愉快，但吴先生表示，部署结束后他最期待的事情就是再次见到家人。

他说，考虑到他将离开这么长时间，他的家人最初对这个机会感到惊讶，但他们仍然支持他，并帮助他做好心理准备，迎接这段漫长的旅程。

他们通过视频通话保持联系。

“我期待着与家人团聚，与我的亲人共度时光，因为我已经很久没见到他们了，”他说。

吴先生表示，他的国民服役还有大约 11 个月的时间，在“袋鼠行动”中遇到的人和获得的经历让他第一年的服役生涯格外难忘。

asyiqin.nadzri@asiaone.com