RSAF HELICOPTER DETACHMENT LEAVES FOR TIMOR-LESTE
STORY // Chan Kairen
Four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) UH-1H helicopters, together with their aircrew and support staff, left for Timor-Leste aboard a Republic of Singapore Navy's Landing Ship Tank, the RSS Persistence, on 24 Oct.
The helicopters and men are part of the 72-strong RSAF detachment that will serve for up to one year with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET).
They will replace the New Zealand helicopter detachment, which will be leaving in November.
The RSAF detachment will support the Thai Battalion and the Singaporean company of peacekeepers, who are stationed in the south-western sector of Timor-Leste.
Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Rear Admiral (NS) Teo Chee Hean, officiated at the send-off ceremony, which was held at Changi Naval Base.