238 SAF PERSONNEL LEAVE FOR UN MISSION IN TIMOR-LESTE

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dr Tony Tan, officiated at a send-off ceremony on 28 Sep for 238 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel leaving to serve with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) Peacekeeping Force.

A company of 160 combat peacekeepers, led by Major (MAJ) Foo Chek Boon, will be deployed in the south-western district of Kova Lima. The company, which includes volunteer Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) and Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), will serve as part of the composite Thai Battalion for one year.

The SAF will also be deploying a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) detachment of four UH-1H helicopters for up to one year. The detachment, comprising 72 servicemen, will be based in Suai, in south-western Timor-Leste.

Another six Army and RSAF servicemen will serve in various staff positions in the Peacekeeping Force Headquarters (HQ) and Sector West HQ.

These deployments are made in response to requests from the UN.

Singapore has been consistently supporting the efforts of the UN in its peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. Since 1989, more than 1200 SAF and other Singaporean personnel have participated in UN missions. This participation reflects Singapore's support for the principles of the UN Charter and for the role the UN plays in maintaining international peace and security.