RSAF Heads To Riyadh To Evacuate Singaporeans – And Other Ways Our Air Force Has Helped In Crises
Following escalating tensions in the Middle East, a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft has been dispatched to Riyadh to evacuate Singaporeans stranded in the region.
Said Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad in a Facebook post: "Amidst the lack of feasible commercial options, many Singaporeans have requested for assistance to return to Singapore, in the midst of the conflict in the Middle East. The Singapore Government has deployed the MRTT to bring them home. This is an important mission and we will do our utmost to ensure everyone returns safely."
He added: "I am grateful for the commitment and courage of our men and women of the RSAF who volunteered for this mission, knowing that the region is still facing attacks. Looking forward to our Singaporeans coming home safely, back to their families and loved ones."
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence noted: "A second flight from Saudi Arabia is being planned for 12 March 2026. The deployment of the MRTTs to Saudi Arabia serve solely to support the assisted departure operations."
The deployment is the latest reminder that the RSAF’s role isn’t just about defence. Through the years, Singapore’s military aircraft have been used for humanitarian and emergency missions, from evacuations to delivering aid overseas.
It also echoes an earlier operation that saw RSAF aircraft take to the skies for a very different purpose: delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. Here’s a look at how Singapore’s air force stepped in to support those caught in conflict.
Delivering humanitarian supplies to Gaza
A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft departed Changi Air Base early morning on 30 Nov with a humanitarian package to provide relief for civilians in Gaza.
According to a report by Channel NewsAsia, the package included medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, blankets, sanitation items, water filters and food.
A total of 46 SAF personnel, including pilots, aircrew, engineers, and Singapore Army security personnel were deployed with the aircraft - an RSAF A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport.
In 2021, the RSAF’s new A330 MRTT was used to help the US airlift Afghanistan evacuees from Qatar to Germany. | FILE PHOTO
Offering aid in rescue efforts
On 27 Aug 2021, the RSAF's A330 MRTT lived up to its name of being a multi-role machine and showed that it was more than ready to provide humanitarian aid. With a 77-person crew, one landed in Qatar to airlift 149 Afghan evacuees to Germany.
Fun fact: The A330 MRTT can transform into a "flying hospital". Indeed, it can be configured to support aeromedical evacuation missions, so that the SAF can deploy medical forces overseas to ensure our soldiers have quality healthcare and medical support. It is also able to mount stretchers in the cabin itself, making them sturdier and more secure in the event of turbulence.
Furthermore, medical equipment on board is powered by the plane's own power supply. Previously, in the KC-135R, portable batteries had to be used.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@NGENGEHN
Offering aid in relief efforts
2020 didn't start on a great note, especially for the folks Down Under. Bush fires in Australia burnt out of control, destroying thousands of homes. Two RSAF Chinooks were deployed with 42 SAF personnel to aid relief efforts. Aside from transporting firefighting and relief supplies, the helicopters were also used to evacuate Australians living in areas affected by the fires.
Scrambling jets to tackle air threats
When jets are scrambled, RSAF pilots and their aircraft) are ordered to take off immediately in an emergency or for action. According to PIONEER, the RSAF's Air Defence Task Force deals with more than 350 suspicious air threats each year.
For instance, at approximately 4.55pm on 12 Oct, the Singapore Police Force received a report regarding a suspected bomb threat aboard Scoot flight TR16, en route from Singapore to Perth. The flight, having already left Singapore, promptly made a U-turn and returned to Singapore. With the guidance and protection of a pair of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SG fighter aircraft, flight TR16 touched down safely at Changi Airport around 6.26pm.
Read this on Wonderwall.sg: 5 Times RSAF Jets Have Been Scrambled Because Of Bomb Scares
(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
The 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 Chinook 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.
For the latest updates on Wonderwall.sg, be sure to follow us on TikTok, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook. If you have a story idea for us, email us at [email protected].
