RSAF RETURNS FROM TYPHOON HAIYAN RELIEF EFFORTS

When the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) C-130 transport plane flew over Tacloban, Philippines, all that the pilots could see from their plane was the massive destruction left by Typhoon Haiyan.

"You could see that, five kilometres inland, all the trees and houses were blown apart Everything was totally destroyed," said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ravichandran, the navigator of the C-130. Even the air field runway where the C-130 was supposed to land on was "barely operational", with no lighting or navigation aids.

LTC Ravichandran was part of the 19-strong team of RSAF crew who flew from Singapore on 14 Nov to assist in the relief operation. As much was at stake, they had to take extra care when landing the plane because "any accident would have brought the entire rescue effort to a halt", explained the 45-year-old.

The super typhoon, which hit Philippines on 3 Nov, has killed over 3,000 people, and the death toll continues to rise. Millions have also been left stranded.

With careful navigation and precise flying, the RSAF team touched down successfully, and quickly proceeded to work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the relief operation.

The RSAF team delivered relief supplies, which included tents, groundsheets, medical supplies and blankets, and evacuated refugees from Taclobanto Manila.

This was the second tranche of relief supplies delivered by the RSAF. Another team had delivered the first tranche of supplies on a C-130 on 12 Nov. They also took part in the evacuation efforts before returning to Singapore on 14 Nov.

In all, $120,000 worth of relief supplies were delivered, and over 200 civilians were evacuated.

Major (MAJ) Joe Zhang, mission commander of the second RSAF team which just returned home on 17 Nov, noted that his Filipino military counterparts had been working round the clock to rescue the survivors, and felt confident that the Filipinos would recover from the disaster quickly.

Similarly, loadmaster 1st Sergeant (SG) Yang Cheng Yu was impressed by the solidarity shown by the Filipinos. He was particularly moved by a 15-year-old girl among the evacuees whom he had helped to board the C-130. She was taking care of five stranded children who had lost their families.

"They weren't related at all. She just looked at whoever needed help and brought them together," said the 24 year-old.

"(You really realise the difference you're making) when you see the relieved faces of the locals (you're helping)."