RSAF A330 MRTT Deployed to Assist US Evacuation Operations

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, with Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong and Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Khong, interacting with SAF personnel before their deployment to support evacuation operations.

The United States (US) Government has accepted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's offer of assistance conveyed during US Vice President Kamala Harris's visit to Singapore earlier this week, for a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) aircraft to assist in the evacuation of Afghanistan evacuees. The A330 MRTT will be deployed to transport evacuees currently relocated in Qatar to Germany or other receiving countries.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen was at Changi Air Base (East) to meet and send off Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel deployed for this mission, together with senior SAF officers including Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong and Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Khong. A total of 77 SAF personnel, comprising pilots, aircrew, engineers and Singapore Army security personnel, will be involved in this humanitarian mission.

On Singapore's participation in the evacuation efforts, Dr Ng said, "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".

The Republic of Singapore Air Force's A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft taking off from Changi Air Base (East) this evening.