Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) ship MV Swift Rescue returned to Changi Naval Base this morning, after 20 days in the Indonesian-led multinational search operations for AirAsia plane (QZ8501).

Receiving MV Swift Rescue at Changi Naval Base was Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen. He was accompanied by senior officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), including Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng Chee Meng and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han. Servicemen and women on board the other ships and aircraft deployed for the search operations were also present. A minute of silence was observed by all present for the victims lost in the accident.

Dr Ng acknowledged the contributions of all the servicemen and women and commended them for playing a significant role in the multinational search operations. "Our SAF servicemen and women gave their best efforts for the search operations. I want to thank all of them for their professionalism and commitment. They were deployed at short notice over the New Year holidays and experienced rough conditions. Nevertheless, they undertook each task assigned to the best of their abilities and did Singapore proud. Their efforts helped bring closure to the families of the victims and provide answers to the cause of the accident," he said.

Following the recovery of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders by Indonesian authorities, MV Swift Rescue continued to assist in the search effort, and located the main fuselage of the aircraft prior to its return to Singapore. The return of MV Swift Rescue marks the end of the SAF's 22-day deployment where more than 400 personnel, two C-130 aircraft, two Super Puma helicopters, five navy ships, (Victory-class Missile Corvette RSS Valour, Formidable-class Frigate RSS Supreme, Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank RSS Persistence, Bedok-class Mine Countermeasure Vessel RSS Kallang, and MV Swift Rescue) and a 6-man Autonomous Underwater Vehicle team, assisted in the search operations.