Singapore Armed Forces Returns Home After Successful Humanitarian Mission
Two weeks after their deployment to Jordan, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) mission crew has returned to Singapore, landing at Paya Lebar Air Base on Tuesday, April 2. The crew, aboard a C-130 transport aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), was greeted with open arms by their families, colleagues, and the Chief of Air Force, Brigadier-General Kelvin Fan.
Delivering Hope to Gaza
During their time in Jordan, the SAF team worked tirelessly to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza. They collaborated with the Royal Jordanian Air Force to airdrop food and essential supplies, delivering a remarkable twenty tonnes of aid, which translates to over 59,000 meals for those in need. This effort was a joint initiative, supported by non-governmental organizations and the local Jordanian community.
Lieutenant-Colonel Darrell Goh, the mission’s contingent commander, expressed immense pride in his team’s swift and effective execution of their objectives. He also thanked fellow Singaporeans for their support in alleviating the crisis in Gaza.
Ensuring Safety in Airdrops
Captain Tan Hui Xin, who led the rigging team responsible for securing the airdropped supplies, highlighted the importance of ensuring civilian safety. She explained that every load underwent thorough inspections by qualified personnel from both the air force and army to ensure airworthiness before the airdrops. Captain Tan, who commands the Air Terminal Company in the SAF’s 3rd Transport Battalion, described the successful mission as a testament to their rigorous peacetime training and found it rewarding to assist the communities in Gaza.
Recognition and Gratitude
At the homecoming event, Brigadier-General Kelvin Fan commended the SAF for their rapid response in delivering humanitarian aid. He praised the professionalism and operational readiness displayed by the crew, encouraging them to enjoy a well-deserved break with their loved ones.
The airdrop operations began on March 17, with the RSAF completing the delivery of Singapore’s third tranche of humanitarian aid to Gaza from Jordan. The first successful airdrop occurred on March 20, with crates of food and essential items parachuted into Gaza from the RSAF’s C-130 aircraft. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen expressed his hopes that the humanitarian aid would bring relief to families in Gaza through a Facebook post.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which started last October, has resulted in the displacement of around 1.7 million people in Gaza. According to the United Nations Population Fund’s statistics from March, the health ministry in Gaza reported over 31,000 casualties since the conflict began.
Supporting Humanitarian Efforts
This mission serves as a reminder for Singaporeans to appreciate the SAF’s professionalism and operational readiness. It also highlights the importance of coming together to provide humanitarian aid globally.
There are several ways Singaporeans can actively support these efforts. Sharing success stories and testimonials from those who have benefited from the SAF’s humanitarian work can help raise awareness. Organizing public events or campaigns to celebrate the SAF’s contributions can also foster community appreciation.
Additionally, promoting volunteer opportunities or donation drives that support the SAF’s missions can encourage greater participation from Singaporeans. Together, we can make a difference and show solidarity with those in need.
For further information on how to contribute to humanitarian efforts, please visit [Singapore Red Cross](https://www.redcross.sg/) or [UNICEF Singapore](https://www.unicef.sg/).