{"id":37073,"date":"2026-03-18T03:05:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=37073"},"modified":"2026-03-18T03:05:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:05:38","slug":"navy-seal-trained-spore-commando-involved-in-30-second-sq117-hijack-rescue-later-becomes-buddhist-monk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=37073","title":{"rendered":"Navy SEAL-trained S&#8217;pore commando involved in 30-second SQ117 hijack rescue later becomes Buddhist monk"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<h2>Story of SIA Flight SQ117 hijack resurfaces, LinkedIn post spotlights commando-turned-monk<\/h2>\n<p>A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) commando who helped end a plane hijacking in just 30 seconds later took a radically different path in life by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/joel-chue-aa698a51_theres-a-story-about-singapore-i-think-every-share-7438953621200818176-Ak0O\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">becoming a Buddhist monk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A LinkedIn post shared on Monday (16 March) has reignited interest in one of Singapore\u2019s most dramatic aviation incidents: the 1991 hijacking of Singapore Airlines Flight SQ117.<\/p>\n<p>It recounts the tense ordeal and the swift operation that brought it to an end in under a minute.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Embedded post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/embed\/feed\/update\/urn:li:share:7438953621200818176\" width=\"504\" height=\"2000\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>From elite commando to life-or-death mission<\/h3>\n<p>On 26 March 1991, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nlb.gov.sg\/main\/article-detail?cmsuuid=b1687d86-f5de-45a8-8e0c-1f0465d1bdf6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Singapore Airlines Flight SQ117 was hijacked<\/a> en route from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_711453\" style=\"width: 1090px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-711453\" class=\"size-full wp-image-711453 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sq-hijacking.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sq-hijacking.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sq-hijacking-480x600.jpg 480w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sq-hijacking-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sq-hijacking-120x150.jpg 120w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1080px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1080\/1350;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-711453\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: The Singapore Army on Facebook<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Four armed men seized the aircraft, which was carrying 114 passengers and 11 crew members, triggering a tense overnight standoff after it landed at Changi Airport.<\/p>\n<p>As negotiations dragged on, the hijackers reportedly threatened to begin killing hostages. Meanwhile, SAF\u2019s Special Operations Force commandos were deployed to storm the plane.<\/p>\n<p>According to the LinkedIn post, Fred Cheong, said to be among the few Singaporeans to have completed United States (US) Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) training, was part of the team tasked with carrying out the assault.<\/p>\n<h3>30-second rescue that saved every life on board<\/h3>\n<p>In the early hours of 27 March, commandos moved in.<\/p>\n<p>They breached the aircraft, deployed stun grenades, and eliminated all four hijackers in what has been widely described as a precise and highly coordinated operation.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t<iframe id=\"answers-client-69b9a0cf95fc0\" class=\"answers-client\" src=\"\" height=\"500\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The entire mission lasted about 30 seconds. No hostages were killed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_711414\" style=\"width: 1610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-711414\" class=\"size-full wp-image-711414 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/504144389_1133931695438814_8448419655546056636_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/504144389_1133931695438814_8448419655546056636_n.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/504144389_1133931695438814_8448419655546056636_n-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/504144389_1133931695438814_8448419655546056636_n-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/504144389_1133931695438814_8448419655546056636_n-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/504144389_1133931695438814_8448419655546056636_n-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1600\/1066;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-711414\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Ministry of Defence, Singapore (MINDEF) on Facebook, for illustration purposes only<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/singapore\/special-forces-storm-hijack-singapore-airlines-monk-fred-cheong-902161\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Reflecting on the moment in a 2019 interview with CNA<\/a>, Mr Cheong said: \u201cWe were really quite clear when we went inside there; we knew exactly what to do. You cannot go there and start to think. We go there and do what we train for because there will be that trade-off.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The operation remains one of Singapore\u2019s most notable counter-terrorism successes.<\/p>\n<h3>Retires after 32 years of service and becomes Buddhist monk<\/h3>\n<p>After 32 years of service in the SAF, Mr Cheong reportedly retired in 2013.<\/p>\n<p>He later travelled to Dharamsala, India, where he was said to have been ordained as a Buddhist monk by the Dalai Lama in 2017, taking on the name Venerable Tenzin Drachom.<\/p>\n<p>Explaining the meaning behind his new name to CNA, he shared that \u201cdra\u201d refers to delusion while \u201cchom\u201d means destroyer.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>In the military, I destroyed the enemy outside. Now I destroy the enemy inside.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_711462\" style=\"width: 1090px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-711462\" class=\"size-full wp-image-711462 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/military-to-monk.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"673\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/military-to-monk.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/military-to-monk-600x374.jpg 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/military-to-monk-1024x638.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/military-to-monk-150x93.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1080px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1080\/673;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-711462\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Joel Chue on LinkedIn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>A commenter on the LinkedIn post who said he had served alongside Mr Cheong offered a glimpse into the unexpected transition, describing it as a \u201cmidcareer switch\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He recalled Mr Cheong as a compelling storyteller and said he was \u201csurprised\u201d to learn that he had become a monk.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut I suppose, each of us has our own paths to take and how we confront our inner self. I am happy that Fred has found himself!\u201d the commenter wrote.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_711466\" style=\"width: 821px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-711466\" class=\"size-full wp-image-711466 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"811\" height=\"231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-1.jpg 811w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-1-600x171.jpg 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-1-150x43.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 811px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 811\/231;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-711466\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: LinkedIn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Another commenter, who said his close friend had served under Mr Cheong, shared that he had often heard positive things about both his character and his transition to monkhood.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_711467\" style=\"width: 817px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-711467\" class=\"size-full wp-image-711467 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"807\" height=\"148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-2.jpg 807w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-2-600x110.jpg 600w, https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/monk-comment-2-150x28.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 807px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 807\/148;\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-711467\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: LinkedIn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/soldier-wins-ultramarathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S\u2019pore Special Forces Soldier Stayed Awake For Over 2 Days To Run 342km, Wins Brutal Ultramarathon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"s3sOgIT0H3\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/soldier-wins-ultramarathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S\u2019pore Special Forces Soldier Stayed Awake For Over 2 Days To Run 342km, Wins Brutal Ultramarathon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cS\u2019pore Special Forces Soldier Stayed Awake For Over 2 Days To Run 342km, Wins Brutal Ultramarathon\u201d \u2014 MS News - Independent News For Singaporeans\" src=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/soldier-wins-ultramarathon\/embed\/#?secret=FBFQadxNo2#?secret=s3sOgIT0H3\" data-secret=\"s3sOgIT0H3\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em>Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/special-forces-commando-sq117-monk\/mailto:news@mustsharenews.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news@mustsharenews.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Featured image adapted from Joel Chue on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/joel-chue-aa698a51_theres-a-story-about-singapore-i-think-every-share-7438953621200818176-Ak0O\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 --><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js?ver=6.8.3#xfbml=1&amp;version=v3.2\" id=\"facebook-js\"><\/script><script>\n!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\nif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\nn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\ns.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\nfbq('init', '1213643350275810');\nfbq('track', 'PageView');\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mustsharenews.com\/special-forces-commando-sq117-monk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Story of SIA Flight SQ117 hijack resurfaces, LinkedIn post spotlights commando-turned-monk A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) commando who helped end a plane hijacking in just&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=37073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}