THE RETURN OF THEIR HEROES

The last two Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) returned from their mission in Meulaboh on 24 Jan, and family and loved ones relegated the hot morning sun to nothing more of an inconvenience as they rushed to embrace their heroes from the SAF.

The RSS Endurance and RSS Endeavour were two of the three LSTs deployed to Meulaboh to aid in the emergency relief efforts after tsunamis hit South Asia on Boxing Day last year.

Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, was at Change Navel Base to welcome the servicemen and women home.

"Without their support, we could not have done what we did," Mr Teo expressed his gratitude to those onboard the LSTs.

Helping those in need was top priority, but for those at the scene of disaster, the mission proved more than they had bargained for.

"I did not expect to see what I saw, but we gradually got used to it," said Lance-Corporal (LCP) Eric Tan Lin Kin, a rifleman from 7 SIB.

With the return of all the LSTs deployed to the region, relief work in Indonesia now moves from the emergency relief phase to the recovery phase.

Three Chinook helicopters will remain to support the critical needs of the Indonesian authorities and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

Singapore's humanitarian assistance in Meulaboh and Banda Aceh will now be spearheaded by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Singapore Red Cross, Touch Community Services and Mercy Relief.

Having done their part in the emergency relief phase, the servicemen and women were more than glad to be home.

"I missed my family the most. Looking at the situation there, I ended up thinking about my family a lot," said Master Sergeant (MSG) Anba (left), a logistics representative for 7 SIB.