RSAF plane headed to Qatar to assist in US evacuation of Afghans
SINGAPORE — A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) transport aircraft departed from Singapore on Thursday (26 August) night to assist the US in its evacuation of Afghans.
An A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport will transport evacuees who are currently in Qatar to Germany or other receiving countries, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in a news release.
A total of 77 members of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) – including pilots, aircrew, engineers and Singapore Army security personnel – will be involved in the humanitarian mission, the ministry added.
The move comes after the US government accepted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's offer of assistance, which he conveyed to US Vice-President Kamala Harris on Monday, during her official visit to Singapore.
At Changi Air Bast (East) on Thursday night, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen met the SAF personnel prior to their departure. He commended the men and women involved for getting themselves ready within 48 hours of the offer of assistance being made.
"The urgent need is to protect evacuees and other civilians, and Singapore is making a direct contribution to this humanitarian cause. We cannot imagine the fear and terror that these displaced people are facing, arising from the situation in Afghanistan.
"But we take some comfort that the SAF, through this mission, can play a part in providing for a more secure and safe future for some displaced families and individuals," he said.
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