Posted on 09/03/2005 12:39:11 AM PDT by naturalman1975
SINGAPORE said overnight it had deployed three of its air force helicopters from its Texas detachment to assist in relief operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) CH-47 Chinook helicopters would be based at Fort Polk, Louisiana, during the mission, said a Singapore Defense Ministry statement issued by the city state's embassy in Washington.
"Singapore's Chinook helicopters will be working closely with the Texas Army National Guard in their disaster relief operations," it said, adding that the aircraft would undertake resupply and airlift missions.
Thirty-eight RSAF personnel, comprising pilots, aircrew and technicians, are participating in the relief operation.
Estimates of the number of dead across the hurricane-hit US Gulf Coast ran into the thousands, with one senator predicting a toll of more than 10,000 in Louisiana alone.
Tens of thousands remained stranded without proper food, water, power or sanitation four days after Katrina ravaged New Orleans, the worst hit city in Louisiana.
Singapore is one of the United States' closest allies in Asia.
A Singapore Air Force tanker aircraft is currently deployed to help US-led forces in Iraq, conducting air-to-air refuelling missions for the multinational forces.
It had previously sent four small but diplomatically significant military deployments to help in Iraq.
awesome! thanks for more good news NM! :)
For those that read this post and want to dis the fact that singapore or any other country is supporting us, just think before you type...
WTF does Singapore have a Texas detachment for?
Thank you Singapore!
(I must have missed the news about Europe donating some helicopters to the relief efforts...)
They train there. Singapore is a very small country, but they are an ally. Glad for their help.
training... the germans have a premanant traing detachment at alamagrdo in NM I believe. there are a couple countries that do that.
Cool. Can't wait for the Black Helo/World Gubmint crowd to show up and drool their ranting.
Thank you Singapore!
LOL...
Course, you know those are probably Muslims piloting those choppers... But on the other hand, how much damage could they do in New Orleans...
Bump!
Yep Luftwaffe. We have more uncluttered airspace than many of our allies, so they train here.
Joint Training, we have armed forces from many friendly nations here for joint training almost all the time, it just happened to be Singapore this time.
I don't know, but send them to NO to cane the looters.
Muslim, Hindu, Christian, about equally split in Singapore
I once went to Singapore, it's really a small country and nothing to do their besides shopping and being chased by ladyboys. I think singapore doesn't have any arm forces, just my opinion. But, they do have those tiny nepalese soilders (gurkas or something like that) guarding everywhere. God bless everyone.
In Singapore right now.
Singapore is one of America's strongest allies in the world.
They have contributed troops to the liberation of Iraq and are now deploying forces for relief efforts in the South.
The Prime Minister sent a lovely note to the President yesterday.
Singapore is mostly ethic Chinese, about 15% Muslim.
Yay Singapore! Your support and friendship in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Singapore.
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