SAF PERSONNEL RECEIVE MEDALS FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS, RELIEF EFFORTS

Seventy-five Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel who took part in the search for AirAsia Flight QZ8501, and the flood relief efforts in Malaysia were lauded for their contributions in a ceremony on 8 Jun.

They received the Overseas Service Medal (OSM) from Second Minister for Defence Lui Tuck Yew at the Ministry of Defence.

Addressing the servicemen and their families, Mr Lui said the ability of the SAF to carry out two simultaneous operations quickly and effectively when called upon, reflected their operational readiness and professionalism.

"While the rest of Singapore was celebrating the year-end festivities and preparing to welcome 2015, you answered the call of duty at very short notice and were serving in foreign lands and seas, far away from home and loved ones," he said.

"You are the reason why the SAF is always ready when called upon whether it is to respond to security threats or to provide relief and assistance when disaster strikes," he added.

Receiving the OSM for the AirAsia (QZ8501) search efforts were 42 crew members of MV Swift Rescue which located the main fuselage of the missing plane.

They were part of the SAF's deployment, comprising more than 400 personnel, five ships, two C-130 aircraft and two Super Puma helicopters.

For Military Expert 3 (ME3) Saravanan S/O Palaniandi, this was his third plane-search operation. He had been deployed in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 last year, and SilkAir Flight 185 in 1997.

Each time he went for such an operation, he would feel sad for the families of the victims. He was relieved when the fuselage of the plane was found.

" .it (provides) closure for the family members (of the victims)," said the 42-year-old Chief Weapons Control System, who was on duty when the fuselage was located in the sea.

Major (MAJ) Wee Hong Tat, Deputy Officer Commanding of MV Swift Rescue, said his crew was ready to sail within 24 hours of activation. Five personnel from other ships also volunteered to join in the 20-day underwater search operation.

He recalled that many crew members suffered from sea sickness as conditions were challenging, with waves reaching as high as four metres. But they pressed on.

"That's what the SAF is for to be prepared for any incidents, whether planned or unplanned," he said.

Corporal (NS) Tan Ye An was about to complete his full-time National Service (NS) when the incident happened. He volunteered to sail despite not knowing when the search operation would end.

"It was only natural that I sailed because I was familiar with the medical stores," said the medic, who was in charge of medical stores on board MV Swift Rescue. He also helped to scan the sea for aircraft debris during the search operation.

The other 33 OSM recipients were servicemen deployed in the two-week flood relief efforts in Kelantan, Malaysia. They were part of the SAF-led Task Force comprising personnel from the SAF, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Public Utilities Board.

They worked together with the Malaysian Armed Forces to purify 135,000 litres of river water into clean drinking water for distribution to people in the flood-hit areas.

Task Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Fan Mun Poh said their greatest challenge came when their water purification units broke down.

The heavily contaminated river water had stressed the units' filtration system, but the soldiers worked round the clock to get the water purification units going again.

The team remained motivated even when the operation was extended from 5 to 16 days, LTC Fan added.

"When you see the scenes (of devastation), you understand the purpose of your mission, and you'll be driven by a clear purpose," he said.

For example, 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Muhammad Fahmy Bin Mahat, a water purification operator, saw mothers desperate for water to prepare milk for their babies. The 29-year-old Army regular was glad to be able to make a difference in their lives.