ALWAYS READY

The Super Puma helicopters, with their wide-spectrum capabilities, are one of the workhorses of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The dedicated crew of 125 Squadron, one of two squadrons which operate these helicopters, tell PIONEER how they live and work together to fulfil their roles and missions 24/7.

125 SQN supports the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in aerial troop-lift and re-supply, special operations like counter-terrorism, search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, peace support and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

Each helicopter is typically operated by a crew of three to four - a pilot, a co-pilot and up to two aircrew specialists, depending on the mission.

Pilots and aircrew specialists work closely together during a mission. For missions like SAR, the aircrew specialists act as extra pairs of eyes during the search phase. During the rescue phase, they may have to be winched down onto land, a ship or even into the sea to effect the rescue.

On the ground, ensuring that the helicopters are always in tip-top condition are the aircraft technicians who work tirelessly to keep the SPs operationally ready at all times.

Rescuing lives

125 SQN maintains a 24/7 high alert and is on standby for any SAR operation. The standby crew stay overnight in the squadron and can take off within minutes of receiving a call for aid from either the military or civilians.

Said SP pilot Lieutenant (LTA) Joel Matthew Desker: "We are often up and flying in less than the stipulated time, because of the comprehensive training drills we do to prepare for such situations."

Having been in the squadron for close to nine years, 1st Sergeant (1SG) Magendran s/o Silva, an aircrew specialist, is no stranger to SAR missions. But he still gets the same satisfaction of helping people in need each time he gets 'scrambled'.

In 2005, 1SG Magendran helped to rescue a Korean engineer who had fractured his spine while working on board a merchant vessel off Singapore waters.

Recalling the mission, 1SG Magendran said: "As I secured him onto a stretcher, I could see that he was in pain. Arriving on scene at 7am, we delivered him to the Singapore General Hospital within an hour."

He said: "It was gratifying to know that I saved a life by doing my job."

Disaster relief

125 SQN also participates in HADR missions. In the aftermath of the Asian tsunami in December 2004, the squadron flew four SPs with food and aid for victims in Bandar Aceh, Indonesia, and Phuket, Thailand, as part of Operation Flying Eagle (OFE).

Said 1SG Magendran, who served in the OFE mission: "I was very proud that Singapore and 125 SQN, as part of the SAF mission, were able to help our neighbours in a time of need."

On long deployments such as OFE, the crew members depend on one another to ease their homesickness and weariness due to the gruelling flight hours.

"The bond that we forged during training and day-to-day operations back home really helps to alleviate any homesickness we might have," said 1SG Lim Kah Poh, also an aircrew
specialist.

Integrating with other Services

The SP crew were part of an SAF task group deployed to the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia, from April to July, as part of the multinational Combined Task Force 151 to counter piracy.

Stationed on board the RSS Persistence, a Landing Ship Tank of the Republic of Singapore Navy, the crew of 125 SQN worked hand-in-hand with their Army and Navy counterparts to ensure no piracy activities in their assigned sectors.

Maintenance of the SPs in the harsh maritime environment was a key concern as it was the first time they had been deployed in a maritime environment for so long.

"There were many external factors that could affect our ability to service the helicopters at sea. From this experience, we can better plan the maintenance requirement for future missions," said 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) Lim Seng Kee, a senior aircraft technician in charge of maintenance training. He is already looking forward to volunteering for future missions.

Living on board a ship posed another set of challenges for the detachment from 125 SQN. For 2WO Lim, the initial challenge of living on board an LST was cushioned by the friendliness of the Navy personnel. He discovered that they had a practice of folding clothes taken out of dryers for one another while waiting for their own laundry to dry. "The first time I went to collect my laundry, I was surprised to find it all folded nicely in a corner! These small things really eased our transition into life on the LST," said 2WO Lim.

On top of forging closer personal ties, the professional engagement among the Services also proved to be fruitful.

"We gained valuable operational experience from the Gulf of Aden deployment which has broadened our exposure," said Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Ong Jack Sen, Commanding Officer 125 SQN.

He added: "The level of understanding forged among the task units from the Army, Navy and Air Force will be very useful to the 3rd Generation SAF as the Services work towards integrated operations."

Supporting special operations

This year, the squadron supported Exercise Northstar, an annual counter-terrorism drill that involves homeland security agencies such as the Singapore Police Force, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Police Coast Guard.
For the finale of the exercise on 15 Jul, SPs were deployed to facilitate the storming of Rasa Sentosa Hotel by elements from the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF). The SOTF commands all special forces within the SAF.

Dedicated to their job

Much of the hard work that the servicemen and women of 125 SQN put into their tasks is hidden from public view.

In addition to the daily operations, many personnel are on standby after office hours for the squadron's myriad of operational requirements.

Putting it down to the commitment of the people, LTC Ong said: "The men and women of the squadron understand how important our operational readiness is to the SAF and Singapore."

At 125 SQN, this sense of purpose permeates all the way to the junior ranks. Full-time national serviceman Corporal (CPL) Vinod s/o Sandrasegaran is a technician in 125 SQN and helps to keep the SPs in a mission-ready state. He said: "I am proud to be part of 125 SQN. The squadron's full-spectrum capabilities make my work very meaningful."

"Our readiness is proof of our efforts. We stand ready for all operations. Any time the country needs us, 125 SQN and our Super Pumas will be there," said LTC Ong.

Ready for 3rd Gen operations

Although the SPs have been in service for more than 20 years, they remain relevant to the 3rd Generation RSAF today.

They are equipped with capabilities to conduct or support a wide range of operations ranging from SAR to special operations, peacekeeping and HADR missions.

Said LTC Ong: "The SPs may be more than 20 years old, but with excellent maintenance, upgrading and equipping, and a dedicated team, 125 SQN is ready for the full spectrum of integrated operations of the 3rd Generation SAF."

Life and times of the RSAF Super Pumas

1984
The RSAF purchases Aerospatiale (now Eurocopter) Super Puma (SP) helicopters to fulfil its transport and utility roles.

1986
SPs evacuate a doctor suffering from brain haemorrhage in Pulau Tioman, marking its first SAR mission.

125 SQN attains Full Operational Capability.

1987
SPs take over the flying of the state flag during National Day Parade from the UH-1H helicopters. In recent years, the Ch-47 Chinooks have been performing this duty.

1993
126 SQN (the RSAF's other SP squadron) sends a detachment to Cambodia to support the United Nations Transitional Authority Council (UNTAC) during a UN-sponsored election in the country.

1995
An SP training simulator is inaugurated at Sembawang Air Base, enabling pilots and crew to train more realistically.

1997
RSAF is ready to contribute two SPs as part of Singapore's pledge to the UN Standby Arrangement that aims to provide a quick reaction force for worldwide UN-sanctioned peacekeeping operations.

Two SPs are deployed to Palembang, Indonesia to aid in SAR operations for the ill-fated SilkAir Flight MI 185.

2004
125 SQN flies to Indonesia to aid in the Asian tsunami rescue efforts.

2009
Two SPs and crew from 125 SQN are deployed with the Navy's Landing Ship Tank as part of the SAF Task Group joining the multinational Combined Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden to support anti-piracy efforts.