SAF SENDS HELP TO DISASTER-HIT AREAS

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) increased its assistance to tsunami-hit areas today. A total of six Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) helicopters and three C-130 aircraft left on 30 Dec, part of Singapore's pledge to aid its neighbours.

Two Chinook helicopters and an advanced SAF nine-man medical team have already arrived in Indonesia and begun their operations there.

Two Super Puma helicopters and the rest of the 25-strong SAF medical team travelling in a C-130 aircraft left Paya Lebar Air Base for Medan, Indonesia on 30 Dec.
 

While the helicopters will conduct search-and-rescue operations, casualty evacuation and transport relief, the medical team will provide primary healthcare and first-line medical support for the victims.

"There will be casualties on a large scale, but we are confident and well-prepared to help out medically," said First Sergeant (1SG) Sandy Wong, a medic on the team

The medical team leader, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Fan Swee Weng, is confident of his team's abilities.

"It is always a challenge to do a good job and do what is expected of us as representatives of Singapore. But there are no worries; they are challenges we will overcome," he said.

Two other C-130 aircraft carrying another consignment of relief and medical supplies, are also en route to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, to provide humanitarian relief assistance.

A C-130 aircraft delivered the first batch of relief supplies, including tentages, groundsheets, blankets, medicine and food, to Medan on 28 Dec.

The SAF is also providing assistance to Thailand. Four helicopters - two Super Pumas and two Chinooks - departed for Phuket on 30 Dec.

The helicopters will work closely with the Thai authorities to conduct disaster-relief operations, and to transport supplies and personnel to the affected areas.

Flight Engineer Leader of 127 Squadron, Second Warrant Officer (2WO) Ricky Tan (left), revealed that the soldiers were ready and focused on the mission.

"We have been training for all kinds of situations and we are ready. The whole squadron is really geared up to go, and we are now thinking about the survivors. We want to get to them quickly, to offer them as much assistance as possible," he said.

On 29 Dec, Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, announced that a Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Landing Ship Tank (LST), comprising a second medical team and a SAF engineer team, would sail for the west coast of Sumatra on 31 Dec.

The LST will concentrate on transporting relief and medical supplies to the coastal villages and settlements in the area, and will also come in handy as a helicopter staging area.

The engineer team will help clear roads and debris while the medical teams will provide the much-needed medical assistance.

The minister commended the SAF soldiers for their quick response in putting together the various relief packages.

He added that the LST's presence would greatly help the people of West Sumatra who had been most affected by the earthquake and tsunami disasters.

"It has become very clear that Indonesia is probably the most severely affected country. The Indonesian authorities are doing their best to cope, and we will chip in with our efforts," said Mr Teo.