Mar 2005 issue

02
CONTENTS
03
04
06
08
09
10
11
12
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Overview
The RSAF Responds
Fast Relief
Relief Operations in Phuket
Aid arrives in Indonesia
Healing Hands
Congestion in the Air
Bringing relief to the tsunami hit countries
Smoothening the Flow
Reaching New Heights
Paya Lebar Air Base
- The Staging Point
Quality Maintenance ALS - SBAB
A Lesson in Humanity
RSAF in High Spirits
VIP Visits
Keep it up!
SPECIAL EDITION
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
COL Peter Wee
LTC Harbajan Singh
LTC Tang Tong Seng
LTC Quek Chiew Teck
LTC Perry Tan
MAJ Dalbir Singh
MAJ Mark Kang
MAJ (DR) Dale Lim
CPT Alan Lai
CPT Johnny Tan
CPT Pang Kim Liang
Amanda Wong
Germaine Ho
Ang Houfu
Ashok Narandran
Gad Tan
Huang Wei Qiang
Air Force News extends its heartfelt appreciation
towards 122 SQN, 125 SQN, 127 SQN, 201 SQN,
ALS-SBAB, ARMC, the Communications Team, PLAB
and all others who have contributed photos for this
issue. We would also like to express our appreciation
towards 121 SQN, 122 SQN, 125 SQN, 127 SQN
and ALS-SBAB for contributing articles that were
instrumental towards the production of the Special
Edition.
The Special Edition Committee would also like to
express our appreciation towards Head Air
Operations, BG Charles Sih, for his kind assistance.
03
OVERVIEW
The Boxing Day 2004 earthquake and
tsunami which swept through the Indian
Ocean region, will always be remembered
as the greatest catastrophe in living
memory. Areas near to the epicentre in
Indonesia, especially Aceh, were
devastated by the earthquake and tsunamis.
Phuket in Thailand, Penang in Malaysia, Sri
Lanka, India, and places as far as Somalia
in Africa were not spared. As many as a
quarter of a million lives were lost in the
disaster and the count is not yet complete.
Thousands were injured, made homeless,
and had lost relatives. For many of us
around the world, we could only watch in
horror and disbelief as the scale of
destruction caused by the quake and
tsunamis began to unfold before our eyes.
In our region, Indonesia was the worst hit.
The aftermath of the disaster left widespread
infrastructure damaged, basic necessities
scarce, and the danger of an epidermic in
areas affected, lurking. As locals struggled
to leave their hometowns badly scarred by
the calamity, world aid began to pour in.
The SAF began to mobilise its resources for
a massive relief operation. The RSAF’s C130 transport aircraft was first in, arriving
in Medan, Indonesia on 28 Dec with
emergency relief supplies. Within a week,
the SAF had despatched 12 helicopters, two
RSN Landing Ship Tanks, and some 600
personnel to both Indonesia and Thailand
to aid in the emergency relief efforts. For
three weeks, SAF personnel worked
tenaciously in the search and rescue efforts,
tending to the sick and injured, as well as
bringing supplies to survivors.
The rescue and relief mission undertaken
by the SAF was the largest operational
deployment to date. For the RSAF, the
Chinook and Super Puma helicopters, C130 and Fokker-50 transport aircraft flew
some 690 missions carrying more than
600,000 kilograms of cargo and ferried
approximately 4,000 people.
Unknown to many, the missions were not
without their challenges and difficulties,
besides being heartwrenching for some.
This edition of the Air Force News gives a
glimpse of the operations conducted in both
Indonesia and Thailand. The SAF, and the
RSAF in particular, is deeply honoured to
be a part of the life-saving mission and,
most importantly, having made a difference
to our neighbours.
04
The
The RSAF
RSAF Responds
Responds
MAJ Lum Sow Loon, an OC in 201 SQN, assisting in the unloading of relief supplies at Banda Aceh.
When news of the massive tsunami disaster spread amongst Singaporeans on Boxing Day, the
RSAF got ready to do its part for any disaster relief mission that may come its way, even with no
explicit order to do so as yet. Indeed the response from the RSAF was swift: 122 SQN’s C-130
Hercules left with humanitarian aid and supplies on 28 Dec 04. From 29 Dec 04 to 3 Jan 05, six
CH-47 Chinooks from 127 SQN and two AS332 Super Pumas from 125 SQN left for Indonesia.
On 30 Dec 04, two Chinooks and two Super Pumas left for Phuket, Thailand.
❝
I would like to
commend the people in
our Air Force for putting
this package together
very quickly. They were
ready to go in less than
48 hours. ❞
- Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean
Inside an RSAF Chinook.
Aid carried by an RSAF helicopter was warmly received
by locals.
Soldiers loading supplies on the Chinook.
05
❝
Psychologically I was pretty well
prepared to go for three weeks or more and
do a lot of flying. In terms of physical
preparations, 125 SQN is very operational
as Search and Rescue is part of our daily
roles, and we are deployed often to
overseas detachments as well. It’s just that
this time we needed to work a lot faster. So we got the team
together and split the job. Everyone was really motivated and
we managed to pull together the necessary bits within a short
span of time. ❞
- MAJ Poh Li San, a Super Puma pilot, on her preparations before
embarking on her mission to Medan.
2SG Chan Pao Yen (extreme left) and
2SG Colin Tan (2nd from right), both
senior technicians, helping in aid
distribution.
2SG Tulasy Naidu, an aircrew specialist, carrying food packets,
being winched down onto an area deemed unsuitable for landing
in Phuket, Thailand.
An RSAF Chinook lands in Medan. A total of six
Chinooks were deployed in Indonesia.
Relief supply in an RSAF Super Puma bound for
Phuket, Thailand
A safety briefing being conducted to passengers before boarding
a Chinook in Meulaboh.
06
Fast Relief
On 28 Dec 04, two days after the tsunami
disaster, 122 SQN launched the first of a
series of flights to deliver humanitarian aid
to the disaster areas.
An RSAF C-130 with palletised load transferred off the aircraft at
Medan (above, below)
Personnel from Air Movement Centre directing the loader
into position to off-load the pallets from the aircraft.
❝ With Paya Lebar Air Base’s support,
the squadron established a high state of
preparedness, optimising all our
resources for a 24/7 schedule, to the
extent of catering for the aircrew to stay
in the base, if required. ❞
- LTC Francis Ngooi, CO 122 SQN
Loads depalletised and stored in an aircraft
hangar.
07
Two C-130s seeing eye to eye: 122 SQN faced the challenge of congested airspace during its trips to Indonesia.
122 SQN, as it turned out, formed the
“air-bridge” between Singapore and
Indonesia, bringing in a constant flow
of relief aid, equipment and personnel
to the disaster areas and supporting
SAF detachments there.
as night flying in a risky and congested
airspace, but this placed the training
of the crew onboard into perspective.
As LTC Francis Ngooi elaborated, “The
night operations put our aviation
physiological training in spatial
disorientation, vertigo and coping
Over at Changi Air Base, 121 SQN,
which operates the Fokker-50, also
had been relatively busy. Since the
relief operations got underway, the
squadron had been flying into and out
of Sumatra on various missions. One
of the key taskings was the ferry of VIPs
and medical team into the disaster
area.
Besides the uncertainties, the
squadrons also faced challenges they
had never encountered before, such
Roll with it: Relief aid being moved out of the C-130.
with ‘black hole’ effects into good
use.” It also helped that good crew
resource management like the
deployment of senior pilots for difficult
missions such as night flying and
‘lead-in’ familiarisation of a new
airfield, helped mitigate some risks.
❝
We planned flight routes to all possible
destinations, even for Male (Maldives),
Colombo and the Nicobar Islands, though
we did not go there eventually. Though our
squadron’s tasking increased, we managed
to plan up to seven flights a day without
breaking the rules and regulations pertaining
to minimum crew rest required between
sorties. ❞
- CPT Johnny Tan, a C-130 pilot in 122 SQN
08
Relief Operations in Phuket
2SG Tulasy Naidu, an aircrew specialist from 125 SQN, surveys an affected area in Phuket, Thailand, from the air.
The RSAF detachment of two Chinooks and two Super Pumas was first amongst foreign
helicopters to arrive in Phuket, Thailand, on 30 Dec 04. Despite being the first to arrive, the RSAF
detachment was not able to begin operations immediately. Details such as the command link
and tasking orders had yet to be established with the local authorities. This was where the benefits
of continuous engagements through periodic detachments with their Thai counterparts became
evident, as the detachment supported the Royal Thai Armed Forces in providing aid to the disaster
victims.
❝ Fortunately, being on detachments
overseas, especially in Thailand, helped
because we are familiar with a lot of
our Thai counterparts. It helps to know
the way our counterparts work so
communication can be smooth and we
can best utilise all our resources.❞
- LTC Shanmugaratnam (right), a Super Puma pilot who acted as the Senior
Liaison Officer during the detachment. Pictured here too is GP CAPT Khanit,
an RTAF officer who was Head Combined Air Operations Centre, Phuket.
A Super Puma approaches overhead as
SCDF personnel on the ground prepare
for an evacuation.
SCDF personnel boarding an RSAF Super Puma enroute to the mission site.
09
Aid arrives in Indonesia
Locals approaching an RSAF Chinook to collect humanitarian aid.
Indonesia, particularly Aceh which is at the northern tip of Sumatra, was the worst hit country
due to its proximity to the magnitude 9.0 earthquake. The RSAF detachment provided search
and rescue, transportation of personnel, resupply and logistics support missions.
❝ Those aircraft which are quite
versatile to airlift the aid have
really facilitated the process of
humanitarian operations in
saving the life of tsunami
survivors. ❞
-Tengku Rizal Nurdin, Governor of Northern Sumatra
TNI personnel helping to unload relief aid from an RSAF
Chinook.
❝
An RSAF Super Puma landing on a makeshift landing site.
When your people
arrived, it lifted our spirits.
We knew that we were no
longer alone. ❞
- Colonel Geerhan Lantara, TNI
Commander in Meulaboh,
TODAY, 20 Jan 05
A lighter moment between LTC Vincent Lim, his personnel from
127 SQN and refugees at Sigli, a small town near Aceh.
SAF
personnel
working
hand in
hand
with TNI
soldiers.
10
Healing Hands
The SAF’s medical teams were also activated immediately
after news of the disaster reached Singapore. On 29 Dec
04, the advance medical team departed Singapore for
Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The main party soon joined them
the next day. Together, they provided outpatient, surgical,
public health and paediatric services during their stay in
Banda Aceh.
❝ There was this old man
who had pus in his
eyelids. His eyes were so
swollen and red that he
couldn’t see properly and
was dependent on his
son when he came to the
clinic. After a period of
time with us, he began to
see properly and was able to walk out of the clinic
without any help. I had this incredible feeling just
seeing the man walk out of the clinic on his own; it
was great to know that we had made a difference to
his life. ❞
- CPT (Dr) Timothy Teoh from ARMC, who was
part of the medical team in Banda Aceh
LTC (Dr) Fan Swee Weng, the medical team
leader, looks on as a casualty is being treated in
Banda Aceh.
You do not need words to know you are
appreciated: 2SG Patrick Low, a senior medic,
holding a local baby.
Outpatient
surgery (left) and
consultation
(right) were
some of the
medical services
offered to the
locals in Banda
Aceh.
Singapore-Banda Aceh Cup
More importantly, the medical team realised that the help they
rendered to the people in Aceh went beyond just treating wounds
or illnesses. As medical team leader, LTC (Dr) Fan Swee Weng
recalled vividly-the “Singapore-Banda Aceh Cup” where the staff of
the medical team enjoyed a friendly soccer match with the local
children. “It was 16 young children versus five medical staff. The
outcome of the match was not important but such events show that
our interaction with the locals goes beyond just treating them
medically and taking care of their health. It means much more than
that to the children.”
The ‘Singapore-Banda Aceh’ cup in progress.
11
Congestion in the air
When the detachment first arrived in
Medan, they found themselves in a
hive of activity. With an
unprecedented outpouring of
humanitarian aid from around the
world, the Indonesia Army (TNI), other
foreign armed forces and NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs)
operating within the severly affected
area had their work cut out for them.
This generated a tremendous amount
of air traffic at Aceh. In the crowded
airspace, the modus operandi was
“see and be seen” by all aircraft in
the area.
Morning calm at Banda Aceh airport
Parking space was limited at the Banda Aceh airport. Aircraft of
the RSAF and other foreign forces had to share parking space.
❝
Runways damaged by the disaster further strained
Aceh’s ability to accommodate more aircraft.
The place was literally
overflowing with aircraft, especially
helicopters, and looking for an
aircraft parking space was akin to
"jostling" for an empty carpark lot
in a busy shopping mall in Orchard
Road on weekends. We had to
help to organise the place fast. ❞
- LTC Quek Chiew Teck, CO FSS-SBAB
Aircraft of other nationalities and the RSAF shared a
congested airspace.
Morning buzz at Medan: Pre-flight checks before taking off for the
day’s tasking.
12
BRINGING RELIEF TO THE
TSUNAMI-HIT COUNTRIES
2 Super Pumas
Operations Timeline
6 Chinooks
26 Dec 04
Disaster Strikes
An earthquake scaling 9.0
set off shockwaves and
tsunamis, leaving a trail of
destruction in its wake.
28 Dec 04
First Ferry Support
The RSAF provided the first
ferry of humanitarian aid and
medical supplies from
Singapore to Medan via
Hercules (C-130) transport
aircraft.
30 Dec 04
Deployment in Thailand
RSAF sends two Super Pumas
and two Chinooks (CH-47) to
assist in Phuket. Disaster
support balanced between
Indonesia and Thailand.
29-30 Dec 04
Deployment in Indonesia
Two RSAF CH-47 deployed in
Medan to assist in the airlifting
of supplies and aid. The
Chinooks lifted 6000 pounds of
humanitarian aid to worst
tsunami-hit town of Meulaboh.
At the same time, a RSAF
Fokker-50 provided ferry support
for the medical task force
advance party to Banda Aceh.
4 Jan 05
Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong, accompanied by
Minister for Defence, Mr Teo
Chee Hean, visits Medan.
Thailand Operations ScaleDown
Two Chinooks are redeployed
back to Singapore.
3 Jan 05
Ship to Shore Operations
The Landing Ship Tanker (LST)
reaches the shores of
Meulaboh. Chinook
helicopters provide continuous
air support by conducting shipto-shore operations into areas
inaccessible by road. Critical
medical equipment flown into
Aceh and Meulaboh. RSAF
sends four more Chinooks to
Medan.
4-7 Jan 05
C-130 Plays Important Role
The RSAF C-130 ferried 22
tonnes of medical supplies,
36 personnel from the World
Health Organisation (WH0)
and the Tentara Nasional
Indonesia (TNI) from Halim
to Aceh. Mobile Air Traffic
Control arrives at Aceh on
three C-130 aircraft.
13
2 Super Pumas
2 Chinooks
7-14 Jan 05
Crew Changeover and
Redeployment
Channel News Asia reports bad
weather off the coast of Meulaboh.
However, RSAF Super Pumas
launched from LSTs continue to
work intensively. Three Chinooks
redeployed back to Singapore on
15 Jan 05.
5 Jan 05
CAF Visits
Phuket
Detachment
7 Jan 05
Mr Kofi Annan visits
Medan. RSAF KC135 ferries United
Nations Secretary
General, Mr Kofi
Annan, from Medan
to Colombo-MaleMauritius.
20 Jan 05
Minister for
Defence visits
Medan to view the
potential Barge
Pier site and
Meulaboh
11 Jan 05
Thailand Operations
Scale-Down
Two Super Pumas are
also redeployed back
to Singapore.
10 Feb 05
Speaker of
Parliament, Mr
Abdullah Tarmugi,
and Mercy Relief
officials visit
Meulaboh on a
Chinook.
24 Jan 05
Most Assets back home
Along with RSS Persistence
and RSS Endurance, two
Super Pumas and their
crew from Indonesia are
redeployed home.
25 Feb 05
Final two Chinooks
return
The redeployment of
the two Chinooks from
Indonesia marks the
end of RSAF’s relief
operations in Indonesia.
21 Feb 05
Returning Home
One Chinook returns
home from Indonesia
14
Smoothening the Flow
❝ Our team sat down, discussed the situation with LetKol Sajili, Commander
Banda Aceh Air Base, and also the Americans who were there and eventually
managed to get some form of ground control procedures and organisation for
the air traffic moving into and out of the air base. ❞
- LTC Quek Chiew Teck, CO FSS-SBAB, on how the ATC liaison/co-ordination team helped
to restore order in the Iskandar Muda Airport, Banda Aceh
Traffic Police for the Air
To manage and co-ordinate the increase in
air traffic in Banda Aceh and Medan, an RSAF
Air Traffic Control (ATC) liaison/co-ordination
team was deployed to Indonesia on 3 Jan
05. The team comprised LTC Quek Chiew
Teck, MAJ Luke Neubronner, MAJ Ramesh
Tiwari and MAJ Chua Yam Choon.
The Banda Aceh airport, divided into a civilian
sector and an adjoining military air base, had
seen an increase in air traffic from an average
of 10 movements per day to approximately
170 movements per day!
To enable the Indonesian civilian air traffic
controllers to regain effective control of all
arrivals and departures at the Banda Aceh
Airport, a Mobile Air Traffic Control (MATC)
tower was loaned by RSAF to Indonesia on
7 Jan 05.
The RSAF flight operations over Meulaboh
were further enhanced by the deployment of
another ATC liaison/co-ordination section, led
by LTC Perry Tan and controllers from 201
SQN and FSS-SBAB. Stationed onboard
RSS Endurance, the team made use of radar
and communications systems on the ship,
to ensure a smooth and safe conduct of
helicopter operations in the region.
❝ We could see
that the locals
appreciated what
we were doing as
they could have
gone to rest but they
did not. After setting
up the tower, we
powered-up the
system and once the lights and systems
of the MATC tower came on-line, there
was a great sense of satisfaction
amongst both the locals and the RSAF
personnel present. ❞
- MAJ Ramesh Tiwari, a Weapon Systems Officer (C3),
recounting how local ATC controllers had stood awake
to watch the RSAF crew at work and had even made
several rounds of hot coffee for them despite being off
duty.
Lying low: The MATC prior to being raised.
15
❝
Despite
our
differences
in
nationality, rank and
vocation, somehow we
all felt like a team. We
all knew what we were
there for, what we were
doing and we helped each other as
much as we could. ❞
RSAF Communications Team
The RSAF had deployed a total of 13 specialised
communications personnel to support the three
areas of operations - Banda Aceh, Medan and
Phuket. The specialised team supported the
communications and information systems in the
various RSAF detachment operating rooms and also
handled the communications equipment within the
MATC at Banda Aceh. The missions were supported
not only by these 13 personnel in theatre but also
by Defence Executive Officers, Full-time National
Servicemen and even Operationally Ready National
Servicemen who were having In-Camp Training at
that time, back home.
RSAF
communications
team’s
personnel at
work within the
operations
room
- MAJ Chua Yam Choon, S3, FSS SBAB,
on interaction with his foreign military and
civilian counterparts during the operation.
2WO Albert Ong, a senior technician, working inside
the MATC tower.
❝ Communications is something that has to be set up before the operation
starts. Prior to any operation, accurate information on the area of operations
must be readily available to the planners and executors for them to carry out
their tasks effectively. ❞
- MAJ Lee Hwee Leng, Head RSAF Communications Team
CO 201 SQN, LTC Perry Tan (standing) overseeing helicopter operations
onboard the LST. (Picture: PIONEER)
Communications personnel, working on the ship,
helped to ensure safe flying operations.
16
Reaching New Heights
❝
One of the most touching
moments during the mission
was the sight of relief, joy and
happiness evident in the
expressions of the people
among the ruins and debris of
Meulaboh when we first
landed there with the
humanitarian aid. ❞
- MAJ Ian Hong, a Chinook pilot in 127 SQN
Once the RSAF detachment was able to maintain good
communications and ensure safety in the air, they were
able to devote their energies fully towards bringing
humanitarian aid to the disaster victims.
The RSAF detachment in Indonesia had the honour of being
the first helicopter to send relief into Meulaboh, but the
task was not a straightforward one as the helicopters had
to cross the Barisan mountain range in the middle of
Sumatra to reach Meulaboh from Medan. The mountain
range, reaching heights of 12,000 feet, was a fitting
representation of the unfamiliar terrain pilots had to traverse
during the missions in Aceh. This was also compounded
by bad weather conditions, with orographic clouds on the
sides of the mountain affecting visibility especially during
the late afternoons and evenings.
RSAF and TNI crew loading equipment onto a Chinook
aboard the RSS Persistence.
Flying high: RSAF Chinooks were used to cross the Barisan
mountain range.
❝ It was a great honour for
us to keep hearing from the
Indonesian authorities that
the Chinook is the solution
to Meulaboh. We could
carry things that no other
helicopter could pull
through and we could
cross mountain ranges
that no other helicopter could cross. ❞
- LTC Tang Tong Seng, RSAF Senior Liaison Officer for
the combined Chinook and Super Puma helicopter
detachment
Local children milling around an RSAF Chinook.
17
Paya Lebar Air Base
- The Staging Point
❝ We were honoured that PLAB was chosen
as one of the air bases to house the support
for this operation. Prior to the operation, we
had already been facilitating some foreign air
movement into PLAB. Hence, we had both
the parking areas and the expertise to
accommodate the arrival of different aircraft
for this operation. ❞
- LTC Chris Lim, S3 PLAB
Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) was chosen as the staging point for the delivery
of humanitarian aid headed for Indonesia.
Having to host a fleet of foreign aircraft, each with its own set of requirements,
was easier said than done. Detailed planning of the base’s support capability
in terms of infrastructure, warehousing, service support requirements and
parking areas, to name a few, had been essential. Pilots, NSmen, loadmasters,
flight engineers and navigators had to be recalled to fully support the
operations.
Another organisation within PLAB, which was kept busy, was the Air
Movement Centre (AMC). A branch of Air Operations Department, AMC
played a vital role in the airlift support for the operations. Aid brought to
PLAB was delivered to AMC, which then planned and palletised the load
according to the limits of the aircraft. AMC personnel then loaded the flight,
accompanied it to its destination where they unloaded the aircraft before
returning to Singapore.
Singapore
Regional Coordination Centre
Overseeing the distribution
of aid and coordination
of relief efforts was
the Singapore Regional
Co-ordination Centre
(SRCC) set up in PLAB.
The centre was jointly run
by 6 DIV, Joint Logistics
Department and several
Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs).
❝
The SRCC was an
effective
mechanism
in assisting NGOs in
the co-ordination and
transportation of personnel
and supplies to Meulaboh.
Without the SRCC’s
assistance, Singapore’s
NGOs would have had
great difficulty in bringing
aid to Meulaboh. ❞
- Mr Jimmy Koh from the
Singapore Red Cross
❝ We had to call up more than 40 percent of
our NSmen to assist in the operations. Their
prompt response alleviated our load during the
operations. ❞
- MAJ Yeo Chiang Meng, Head AMC
Hub of activity at the SRCC set up in
PLAB
Step by step: USAF C-5 Galaxy slides open to allow the offloading of a crane.
18
Quality Maintenance — ALS-SBAB
Left and
below:
Maintenance
was carried
out for the
first time on
board a ship,
a major
achievement
for the Air
Logistics
Squadron.
1SG Ong Yew San, a senior technician,
servicing the Super Puma aboard the
LST.
The RSAF Chinooks and Super Pumas
performed excellently in delivering
humanitarian assistance to the victims
of the tsunamis. This is in no small
part due to the men and women of
the Air Logistics Squadron in
Sembawang Air Base (ALS-SBAB),
who along with the pilots and aircrew,
responded promptly to the call by the
nation to aid our neighbours during
the disaster.
Ensuring that ALS-SBAB would be
ready to deal with the unprecedented
demands of the missions, a Logistics
Planning Team (LPT), led by CO ALSSBAB, LTC Thiam Boon Siong, was
formed within hours of activation. The
LPT proved valuable, as it oversaw the
daily logistics and operational
missions, ensuring that support for the
men and aircraft from back home was
adequately provided for.
However, on the ground in Thailand
and Indonesia, the heavy utilisation
of the aircraft and the long work
hours, compounded with the
constraints placed on them, proved
to be monumental challenges for the
detachments. The logistics crew had
to come up with innovative solutions
and rely on their resourcefulness to
overcome these challenges.
❝ I’m
glad to tell you that we have flown
close to 1,300 hours with a mission
accomplishment of 100% and zero
maintenance deviation. Such achievements
do not come about by chance. The technical
skills our people have honed, their excellent
quality of work and unfailing safety
commitment, have prepared us for this. ❞
- COL Tsoi Mun Heng, Head Air Logistics,
at the recent CAF Safety Forum on 27 Jan 05
❝
We also established a good working
relationship with the host nation’s military,
TNI, who were very helpful in providing
critical ground logistics requirements like
fuel, forklifts and vehicle transport around
the airfield. ❞
- MAJ Jason Bok, a senior maintenance officer
19
A Lesson in Humanity...
❝
When we landed in Aceh, there were literally thousands of people
surrounding the airfield. Many victims of the disaster were at the tarmac
area. Looking at them, we could sense their feelings of loss and desperation.
For my mission, we had been tasked to ferry such people out to Medan in
our aircraft. When we were leaving, more than 100 people came to us, all
hoping to get a lift out of Aceh but we could only take around 70 of them.
We had to explain to them that there was no need to rush or try to sneak into
the aircraft because there were other flights coming in which would ferry them to Medan.
You could see they were desperate but they knew that help was on the way. ❞
-LTC Francis Ngooi, CO 122 SQN
❝
After seeing the devastation in
Meulaboh I have come to realise that
the challenges we faced were nothing
compared to what the locals there had
gone through. Those who had
survived had practically lost
everything. I saw some of the locals
going through the rubble and I admired their strength
to carry on. ❞
Despite the high operational tempo, our
personnel were further inspired by the
resilience of our TNI counterparts that we
closely worked with.
- MAJ Chua Yam Choon, S3, FSS SBAB
Perhaps the greatest satisfaction the
detachment crew derived from the
mission was the relieved faces the crew
saw upon completing their mission.
❝
We were
transporting some
supplies to a village
from Banda Aceh when there was this
middle-aged man who joined us as
he wanted to return to his village. He
had walked about two days to seek
help. When we landed on a football field in his village,
the whole village was out in full force to welcome us
and receive the supplies we were carrying. Then from
my cockpit, I saw the said man run to his wife and
two daughters and embrace them. Tears were
streaming from the cheeks of the distressed women;
they had not heard from each other since the disaster
struck. ❞
- LTC Calvin Ng, CO 125 SQN, who was also in charge of the Aceh
detachment. This story was also featured in The Jakarta Post
(above).
❝
There was a
TNI soldier onboard our aircraft,
who gestured to
me and pointed at
the ground below
us. He told me that his house
used to be there. There were
tears welling up in his eyes.
However, he very soon
composed himself. When we
witnessed all these destruction
and suffering, it made me think
of how fortunate we are in
Singapore. ❞
- 2SG Dinesh, a Super Puma aircrew
specialist
20
RSAF in
High Spirits
The humanitarian aid and disaster
relief missions tested the RSAF
thoroughly at all levels, from the
long working hours, to landing on
anything from a football field to the
RSN’s Landing Ship Tanks that
arrived in Meulaboh. Despite the
challenges, the detachment crew, as
LTC Calvin Ng, CO 125 SQN, puts it,
“continued working their guts off
without a single word of complaint.”
A Super Puma being secured after landing aboard an RSN Landing Ship Tank (LST).
Equally significant was the
recognition of the RSAF’s operational
readiness, with the Thai and
Indonesian authorities praising the
SAF and RSAF for their untiring
efforts, and the foreign media noting
the RSAF’s swift and successful
response.
❝ (The missions) in my mind demonstrate,…
what the air force is capable of. From the
ability to plan and deploy at short notice; to
the ability of our guys to operate in truly
uncertain conditions; and deliver
outstanding results… This we could not have
done if not for professionalism, dedication
and team spirit of our people. ❞
- BG Charles Sih, Head Air Operations, during his speech
at the CAF Safety Forum on 27 Jan 05
❝
Knowing that I could fully trust my men
and women to effectively, efficiently, and
most importantly, safely, accomplish the
demanding missions, filled me with the
satisfaction that I could expect the very best
from my crew and they would never let me
down. As the Chinese saying goes
(the long term investment
in training to build a capable military will pay dividends
when activated at short notice). ❞
- LTC Vincent Lim, CO 127 SQN
A Chinook approaching for landing on a LST.
Thumbs up to recovery! Chinook pilots,
MAJ Lionel Lye (left) and MAJ Nick Chew
(right), with schoolchildren at a village at
Pulau Nias.
21
VIP Visits
Numerous dignitaries, both
local and foreign, visited the
shores of Banda Aceh,
Meulaboh and Phuket after the
devastation that occurred on
Boxing Day. While the visitors
may have differed in nationality
or rank, they were united on
one front - in assessing the
needs of the locals and
providing better, more
specialised and effective aid.
Prime Minister, Mr Lee
Hsien Loong and Minister
for Defence, Mr Teo Chee
Hean touched down in
Meulaboh on 4 Jan 05 to
view the devastation in the
area and observe SAF
relief efforts underway
there. During their visit,
the Ministers visited the
primary SAF healthcare
team that was in place and
observed SAF construction
engineers at work near the
coast.
Chief of Defence Force, LG Ng
Yat Chung flew into Meulaboh
on 8 Jan 05 to view up close
the devastation and assess the
progress of SAF relief efforts in
the region. Arriving in an RSAF
Super Puma helicopter, CDF
touched down on RSS
Endurance, off the coast of
Meulaboh. He later went
ashore to observe SAF
personnel in action in the
ravaged town.
❝
I believe that in time, given support and effort by the
government and the international community, the people will
be able to pick up the pieces and carry on. ❞
- Excerpt from Mr Kofi Annan’s statement on the United Nations website
United Nations
(UN) Secretary
General, Mr
Kofi Annan,
along with 19
UN and World
Bank delegates,
entered Banda
Aceh on 7 Jan
05 to view, first
hand, the extent
of destruction
in the region.
From there, Mr
Annan
was
ferried to Meulaboh and back on board an RSAF Super Puma
helicopter. Mr Annan and his delegation then travelled to
Medan, aboard a 121 SQN Fokker-50 before departing for
Colombo and Male on board a 112 SQN KC-135 tanker.
Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan
Seng visited Khao Lak, Phuket on 1 Jan
05. During the visit, Mr Wong witnessed
rescue and relief operations carried out
by the SAF contingent and officers from
the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
Chief of Air
Force, Major
General Lim
Kim Choon
visited
the
island
of
Phuket on 5 Jan
05. During his
visit, CAF met
R S A F
personnel
supporting the
two
Super
Puma helicopters, which were deployed for disaster relief
assistance in the region. He also met the Commander of the
3rd Naval Area Fleet of the Royal Thai Navy, Vice Admiral Thana
Bunnak, who had been overseeing the relief operations in
Phuket, as well as other senior officials at the Royal Thai Air
Force Combined Air Operations Centre. CAF also flew over
the Khao Lak area north of Phuket for a first hand view of the
disaster area.
22
Keep it up!
❝ I am indeed proud of your
rapid response to the call of
duty, with some of you
deployed within 24 hours, and
some even volunteering to give
up the comfort of home leave
amidst the year-end holiday
season. Indeed, you have
conducted yourselves worthy of
being called World Class People in a First Class Air
Force. Please keep up the good work! ❞
- MG Lim Kim Choon, Chief of Air Force in his
message to the RSAF, 15 Jan 05
r
m Pete
ion fro fficer,
t
ia
c
e
r
p
O
e of ap
curity
- A not ms, Field Se to 122 SQN
a
O
WH
Coopm
❝ They (SAF) carried water and
food to isolated survivors and
transported a mobile control
tower to Banda Aceh. Our
medical teams treated 4,000
people in Banda Aceh and
Meulaboh. Whether it was a quiet
word of comfort in Bahasa Indonesia, or flying the
Secretary-General of the United Nations around
the Indian Ocean rim, our people displayed
commitment, compassion and competence. ❞
- Excerpts from speech by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister for
Defence at Parliament on 19 Jan 05
23
❝
The Republic of
Singapore Air Force
flew close to 690
sorties and transported
670 tonnes of relief aid.
These may be small in
comparison with other
international relief
efforts. However, the SAF understood the
local needs and attended to them as best
as it could, in the quickest way possible.
This made all the difference. ❞
-Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, Senior
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and the
Environment and Water Resources, during the MPs’
and Grassroots Leaders’ visit to Singapore Combat
Engineers on 26 Feb 05
Our thoughts are with the victims of the
earthquake and tsunamis.
You can still help.
Contributions for the victims can be made through the following organisations:
Mercy Relief
Cross cheque to: MERCY
RELIEF
Send cheque to:
36, Purvis Street
#02-03, S188613
Singapore International
Foundation
Cross cheque to: Singapore
International Foundation
Send cheque to:
Singapore International
Foundation
9 Penang Rd
#12-01 Park Mall
Singapore 238459
Provide the following details
on the back of cheque:
- Name in Full
- Identity Card/Passport
Number
- Mailing Address
- Contact Number
- Indicate “TAC Fund”
The Medical Foundation
Touch Community Services
Cross cheque to:
The Medical Foundation
Cheque made payable to:
TOUCH Community Services
Limited
Send cheque to: Medical
Foundation Limited
585 North Bridge Rd
#11-00
Singapore 188770
Send cheque to:
TOUCH Community Services
Limited
3615 Jalan Bukit Merah,
3rd Floor
TOUCH Community Theatre
Singapore 159461
Indicate on back of cheque:
- “Tsunami Relief Fund”
- Full name
- Home address
- I/C number
- Contact number