{"id":39946,"date":"2026-03-28T18:26:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T10:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=39946"},"modified":"2026-03-28T18:26:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T10:26:35","slug":"rsaf-crew-had-48-hours-to-prepare-for-repatriation-flights-to-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=39946","title":{"rendered":"RSAF crew had 48 hours to prepare for repatriation flights to Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 <!-- -->When the order came down on March 6 that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) would be extracting Singaporeans from the Middle East, a well-oiled engineering and logistics machine kicked into high gear. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Maintenance crew from ST Engineering initiated the prep work to get the A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) mission-ready, alongside soldiers from 808 Squadron \u2013 one of the engineering and logistics units responsible for the operational maintenance of RSAF assets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">For Military Expert 1 Amanda Koh, this meant carrying out reliability checks on the MRTT\u2019s mission systems \u2013 including the plane\u2019s avionics and defensive systems capable of countering missiles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Meanwhile, Military Expert 5 Tamilselvan Palanisamy formulated the main logistics plan in coordination with government agencies, both local and foreign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">While the pre-flight checks were no different from the Singapore Armed Forces\u2019 (SAF) other humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, what made this repatriation mission challenging was the information fog of war that the mission team had to operate under.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Inside the RSAF mission to bring Singaporeans home\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VGWchCFzx0M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cFor normal exercise detachments, it\u2019s all pre-planned \u2013 we have an advance party in theatre to help you check through everything, (while in this case) it was press button and we needed to go in 48 hours. There were a lot of unknowns,\u201d said ME5 Tamilselvan, who was in charge of the mission\u2019s logistics, at a media briefing on March 27 following the operation\u2019s success.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Major Simeon Chen, the mission\u2019s commander, said that as the team went through its plans before take-off, a lot of information, such as the passenger manifest, was still up in the air. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Without SAF presence in Saudi Arabia and a fluid situation in the Middle East, coordination with foreign ground services in Riyadh and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was crucial, he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cIt was quite unnerving for the crew, and we really had to develop a plan that helped with the uncertainty,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/0319668371459df5f915b3af0186bfe50384c214e1ad25a3b376c72dfca59cee?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/0319668371459df5f915b3af0186bfe50384c214e1ad25a3b376c72dfca59cee?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/0319668371459df5f915b3af0186bfe50384c214e1ad25a3b376c72dfca59cee?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/0319668371459df5f915b3af0186bfe50384c214e1ad25a3b376c72dfca59cee\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Military Expert 5 Tamilselvan Palanisamy formulated the main logistics plan in coordination with government agencies, both local and foreign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The dangers that had prompted commercial carriers to cancel their flights after hostilities broke out in Iran and the region on Feb 28 \u2013 and which triggered the decision to activate the SAF \u2013 meant the team also had to consider several contingencies while monitoring the security situation throughout the mission, said the mission\u2019s planner, Major Fong Wei Shen from the RSAF\u2019s Air Defence and Operations Command.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Among the considerations were which military plane to deploy. The RSAF had previously said that its C-130 heavy-duty transport aircraft was critical for humanitarian assistance and transport missions. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">But the MRTT has better endurance, and was able to complete the <!-- -->7<!-- -->\u00bd-hour trip to Riyadh without having to stop to refuel, said MAJ Fong.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The decision was also made to land at Changi Airport instead of a military airbase, to ensure that passengers were able to clear immigration quickly and meet their loved ones on arrival. The operation marked the first time that the MRTT landed at Changi Airport. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e1fdd7581533b96daed8fb34839f002e6dcbbfa92ae3b88eac8c7d290525909d?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e1fdd7581533b96daed8fb34839f002e6dcbbfa92ae3b88eac8c7d290525909d?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e1fdd7581533b96daed8fb34839f002e6dcbbfa92ae3b88eac8c7d290525909d?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e1fdd7581533b96daed8fb34839f002e6dcbbfa92ae3b88eac8c7d290525909d\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">The dangers that had prompted commercial carriers to cancel their flights meant the team also had to come up with several contingencies, said mission planner Fong Wei Shen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The uncertainty in the Middle East also meant that while the MRTT was ready to take off by March 8, it took two more days for Singaporeans across the region to travel to the chosen airports in Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The plane would go on to fly two repatriation flights: The<!-- --> March 10<!-- --> flight out of Riyadh brought home 218 Singaporeans and their dependants, while the March 13 flight from Jeddah had 81 Singaporeans and their dependants, alongside foreign nationals from six other countries.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"RSAF pilots saw projectile during Middle East repatriation flight\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wiylpcVZPvA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">During the flight, passengers were told to expect limited cabin service and just one meal. The Ministry of Defence did not charge for the repatriation flights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Even so, the soldiers tried to take along to Saudi Arabia some civilian comforts, such as baby bassinets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Like the MRTT itself, whose main role in operations is to refuel other aircraft mid-air, several of the crew members took on additional responsibilities in accomplishing the mission. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/27e65f371bf57e5364771ccb76da308b941bd06ce85f4db65bbdca7a2663733b?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/27e65f371bf57e5364771ccb76da308b941bd06ce85f4db65bbdca7a2663733b?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/27e65f371bf57e5364771ccb76da308b941bd06ce85f4db65bbdca7a2663733b?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/27e65f371bf57e5364771ccb76da308b941bd06ce85f4db65bbdca7a2663733b\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">The multi-role tanker transport that was used for the two repatriation flights completed on March 11 and 13, from Riyadh and Jeddah respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">ME1 Koh, for instance, helped out with cabin duties, such as preparing and handing out meals, on top of her engineering responsibilities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">All personnel deployed on the flights are regulars and maintenance personnel from defence partners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The larger mission team included full-time national servicemen (NSFs), such as Second Sergeant Lim Dao Hao from 808 SQN, who worked on pre- and post-flight checks and refuelling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">While these tasks are among his usual duties, 2SG Lim said he was proud to have been part of an operation that few other NSFs would likely get to experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cBeing able to make use of what I\u2019ve been trained for to be part of this operation really makes me feel quite proud of myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/984f137b4e03725634e683477130df90702cd3faee8b693cd3a366b77ec43ea4?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/984f137b4e03725634e683477130df90702cd3faee8b693cd3a366b77ec43ea4?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/984f137b4e03725634e683477130df90702cd3faee8b693cd3a366b77ec43ea4?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/984f137b4e03725634e683477130df90702cd3faee8b693cd3a366b77ec43ea4\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Seats on the multi-role tanker transport aircraft that was used for the two repatriation flights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Getting the plane ready \u2013 and also turned around within 48 hours for the second flight \u2013 also involved ST Engineering\u2019s engineers like Mr Mohammad Effendy Abdul Rashid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mr Effendy said he was proud to have been called upon for the mission, even as this meant he had to work through the weekend during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWe feel very proud to have played a part in helping Singaporeans get back home to their families, and it was really, truly a team effort for us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/press-button-and-we-needed-to-go-rsaf-crew-had-48-hours-to-prepare-for-repatriation-flights-to-saudi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 When the order came down on March 6 that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) would be extracting Singaporeans from the Middle&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39949,"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-39946","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\/39946","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=39946"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39946\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}