Two weeks after being deployed to Jordan to deliver humanitarian aid in Gaza, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) mission members returned to Singapore on Tuesday 2 April.
A Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft and team landed at Paya Lebar Air Base that evening and were welcomed by their families, air force commanders and colleagues.
During the deployment, the crew operated outside of Jordan in conjunction with the Jordanian Air Force, airlifting food and supplies to Gaza.
Over two weeks, 20 tons of food, or more than 59,000 meals, were delivered to Gaza via airdrop operations, the Defense Ministry said.
These supplies were put together by the SAF, non-governmental organizations, and Jordanians.
Lt. Col. Darrell Go, the deployment commander for the deployment, told the media at the homecoming ceremony: “I am extremely proud of the team members from across Mindef and the SAF who came together at short notice to accomplish this mission. “I think so,” he said. ”.
The 43-year-old also expressed his gratitude to his fellow Singaporeans who have supported and contributed to de-escalating the crisis in Gaza.
Captain Tan Hui Sing, who led the outfitting team responsible for securing the parachute-dropped cargo, said the safety of civilians on the ground was paramount.
“To that end, each baggage underwent multiple layers of inspection by qualified inspectors from the Army as well as the Air Force to ensure that the baggage was certified airworthy and drop-safe. ” she explained.
“The successful deployment of this mission is a true testament to our peacetime training…It was a very rewarding experience to be able to provide assistance to the Gaza community,” said Captain Tan, commander of SAF 3rd Air Terminal Squadron. Told. transport battalion.
At the homecoming ceremony, Air Force Commander Brigadier General Kelvin Fan said: “The rapid deployment of the SAF to Jordan to provide humanitarian assistance and airdrop into Gaza demonstrated our professionalism and operational readiness.”
He also reiterated his gratitude to the crew: “Thank you again for your mission. We completed a very important and meaningful operation.
“Please take a good rest with your loved ones.”
Airlift of aid supplies to Gaza
March 17, RSAF Delivery to Singapore has been completed This is the third humanitarian aid to Gaza, and an airdrop operation from Jordan has begun.
The first airdrop was successfully carried out on March 20, when crates containing food and other essentials were parachuted into Gaza from an RSAF C-130.
On the same day, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen posted on Facebook: “From Singapore to the Palestinians in Gaza. We hope that (this) humanitarian aid will bring relief to the families there.”
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began last October, resulting in displacement of According to the report, about 1.7 million people live in Gaza. United Nations Population Fund statistics updated for March.
The Gaza Ministry of Health announced last month that there have been more than 31,000 casualties in Gaza since the war began.
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khooyihang@asiaone.com
