A HEROES' WELCOME FOR TANKER AIRCRAFT DETACHMENT

They have been away from home for the last three months, sent into theatre as the KC-135 detachment in support of the multinational reconstruction effort in Iraq.

Waiting anxiously on 17 Sep at Changi Air Base for their return were scores of family members and loved ones.

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Lim Kim Choon joined them to welcome home the members of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Singapore Technologies from their mission.

Commending them on the vital role they played in the operation, he said: Your contribution shows that Singapore is a contributing member of the international community.

Performing air-to-air refuelling operations, the KC135 detachment crew faced gruelling working hours and dangerous conditions in the Gulf, but team spirit remained high as they helped each other through the tough circumstances.

All of us were like one big family. We interacted well and morale was very high, said Lieutenant (LTA) Leong Yew Wah (right), a pilot of the KC-135 tanker aircraft.

Said MG Lim to the detachment: You are the building blocks of our vision to be a world-class air force made out of world-class people.