Typhoon Yagi Aftermath: SAF Sends Aid To Laos, Myanmar And Vietnam
In the wake of Typhoon Yagi, which left Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam reeling from the destruction, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will be delivering much-needed humanitarian aid to affected communities.
The SAF will deploy an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and two C-130 transport aircraft to deliver humanitarian aid supplies.
Personnel from the Singapore Army verifying the humanitarian aid supplies. | IMAGE: MINDEF
Personnel from the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre and representatives from the Singapore Red Cross taking stock of the humanitarian aid supplies. | IMAGE: MINDEF
And they’re not working alone: the SAF’s Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (Changi RHCC) has teamed up with NGOs like Caritas Singapore, Humanity Matters, Singapore Red Cross, Relief Singapore as well as the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) to consolidate aid supplies.
These include blankets, hygiene kits, water filters, collapsible water containers, and meal packs.
RSAF personnel loading humanitarian aid supplies onto the aircraft. | IMAGE: MINDEF
Colonel Fredie Tan, director of Changi RHCC, highlighted the importance of regional collaboration between militaries and civilians in the response to humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
“Changi RHCC and the Singapore Armed Forces stand ready and committed to support regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts, and bring much-needed relief to the affected communities of our neighbouring countries. We will continue to work closely with our Civil-Military partners such as local and regional NGOs, as well as the AHA Centre,” he says.
RSAF aircraft used in relief efforts
The A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a true multitasker. It's based on the Airbus A330, and can carry 111 tonnes of fuel, 266 passengers, and 37 tonnes of cargo.
A key role of the MRTT is refuelling RSAF jets like the F-15SG and F-16 mid-air, extending their range. It also supports aeromedical evacuations, providing secure stretcher setups and powered medical equipment onboard.
Fun fact: The MRTT hangar is SAF’s first net-positive energy building, producing 30% more energy than it consumes. 🌱
An RSAF C-130 aircraft carrying humanitarian aid supplies takes off at Paya Lebar Air Base. | IMAGE: MINDEF
And let’s not forget the C-130. This versatile transport aircraft is known for its ruggedness, flying humanitarian missions, and airlifting large cargo into hard-to-reach places. It's the workhorse of the skies, able to land on short, rough airstrips and deliver vital aid even in challenging conditions.
(Armed) force for good
The RSAF has always answered the call of duty, providing aid whenever the world needs help. Here, a timeline of some of its rescue, peacekeeping, and relief efforts:
The RSAF's first HADR operation was a Flood Relief Operation in Kuantan. | IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@THERSAF
1971: The then-Singapore Air Defence Command's first HADR mission was in Pahang, Malaysia (shown above) to transport food and medical supplies, as well as rescue survivors affected by a flood. The air force was only three years old.
1983: The RSAF saved 13 lives during the Sentosa cable car accident.
1986: Helicopters were deployed to evacuate the Hotel New World collapse casualties.
1990: In a joint Singapore-Brunei operation, the RSAF delivered relief and medical supplies to Amman, Jordan.
1993: Four Super Puma helicopters and 65 crew were sent on the RSAF’s first UN peacekeeping mission to support Cambodia’s elections sponsored by the UN.
2000: A C-130 detachment, along with three military officers and 24 crew were sent to Timor-Leste to assist in the International Force for East Timor transition to the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor.
In September 2005, the SAF deployed 4 RSAF CH-47 Chinook helicopters and 41 personnel from its Peace Prairie detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, to assist in relief operations for Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. | IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@THERSAF
2005: RSAF’s three CH-47 Chinook helicopters were deployed from the Peace Prairie Detachment in Texas, US (shown above), to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief operations in Louisiana.
2009:: Since 2009, RSAF Super Pumas, the S-70B Naval helicopter, and Fokker 50 Maritime Patrol aircraft have been deployed to the Gulf of Aden, part of the SAF Task Group under the multinational CTF 151 to support counter-piracy efforts in the area.
2011: A C-130 transport aircraft, a KC-135 tanker aircraft, and 115 SAF personnel were deployed to provide disaster relief during the New Zealand earthquake.
2014: During the MH370 crisis, the RSAF deployed a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, a C-130 transport aircraft, and a Sikorsky S-70B helicopter to search for the missing plane.
2015: A RSAF imagery analysis team and one KC-135R were sent to Iraq and Syria to support a multinational coalition effort against the Islamic State extremist threat.
In 2015, 2 RSAF C-130s headed to Nepal to assist in post-earthquake relief efforts. | IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@THERSAF
2015: Th RSAF made 11 flights into Nepal since 26 April that year during the Nepal earthquake (shown above), to transport personnel, equipment, and relief supplies, as well as evacuate 71 Singaporeans and 24 other nationals.
2017: Following a collision between an oil tanker and the US warship USS John S. McCain in Singapore waters, the RSAF deployed Super Pumas, Chinooks, Fokker-50s, and C-130s in search-and-locate efforts.
2017: Four RSAF CH-47 Chinook and 34 RSAF personnel were deployed to Temple, Texas for Hurricane Harvey relief operations.
Survivors of the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami boarding the RSAF's C-130. | IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@NGENGHEN
2018: Following a 7.5-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Central Sulawesi on 28 Sep 2018, two RSAF C-130 transport aircraft were deployed by the SAF to support the Indonesian government's disaster relief efforts. According to MINDEF, the RSAF flew more than 90 sorties (a sortie is an operational flight by a single military aircraft), transported over 800 displaced persons out of the affected areas, and ferried about 250 tons of supplies.
2020: Two RSAF CH-47 Chi:nook helicopters were deployed to support bushfire relief efforts in Australia. In total, the RSAF helicopters flew over 30 sorties, transported more than 260 persons and ferried close to 73 tons of supplies.
2021: One of the RSAF's new A330 MRTTs was deployed to provide humanitarian aid by assisting to airlift 149 Afghan evacuees from Qatar to Germany.
The RSAF loading Singapore’s humanitarian assistance for Gaza onto the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). | IMAGE: MINDEF
2023: An A330 MRTT was deployed to provide aid for civilians in Gaza, which included medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, blankets, sanitation items, water filters, and food.
2024: As part of Singapore's third tranche of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, the RSAF deployed an A330 MRTT and a C-130 transport aircraft in March to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via Amman, Jordan. The C-130 stayed on to continue humanitarian airdrop operations staged out of Jordan, supported by the Jordanian Armed Forces.
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