SAF CONTINUES TO ASSIST IN SEARCH FOR MISSING MH370

For close to 10 hours, they stared hard through the windows of the C-130 transport plane at an altitude of about 700 to 1,000 feet. But all that the airmen could see was vast, open blue sea, and the occasional fishing boats or oil tankers that looked like tiny specks.

These servicemen from the Republic of Singapore Air Force were looking for signs of Malaysia Airlines plane MH370, which had gone missing on 8 Mar en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The search, which took place today in the Gulf of Thailand, North-east of Kota Bahru, was like looking for a needle in a haystack; the area of operation was over 11 times the size of Singapore. Despite the servicemen's efforts, they did not find any debris or other signs of MH370.

"Maintaining focus for 10 hours and keeping the crew alert was a challenge," said C-130 pilot Captain (CPT) Reuel Yeow. "But our focus is on doing our part."

Also on board the military transport plane were Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) who had volunteered for the operation as "scanners". One of them was Corporal (CPL) Wong Hong Jie, a Regimental Policeman in 607 Squadron.

Despite physical fatigue, CPL Wong kept a vigilant lookout: "Lives are at stake and I don t want to miss out on any survivors or relevant signs of MH370."

This was the fourth day the C-130 transport aircraft have been deployed by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to assist in international search-and-locate efforts coordinated by the Kuala Lumpur Rescue Coordination Centre. Australia, China, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam are also taking part in the operation.

In all, the SAF has deployed C-130s in seven sorties, Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast with a Sikorsky S-70B Naval Helicopter on board, submarine support and rescue vessel MV Swift Rescue with divers onboard, as well as Missile Corvette RSS Vigour to search for the missing plane.

The crew of MV Swift Rescue, who were deployed on 9 Mar, were aware of the importance of their underwater search operation.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Chow Khim Chong, who oversaw the operation, said: "The nature of underwater search is inherently challenging. However, the crew is working diligently and tirelessly as a team to ensure no efforts and resources are spared in locating the missing MH370."

The crew of RSS Steadfast had just returned to Singapore for less than two days from an overseas exercise with the Royal Malaysia Navy when they were activated for the search-and locate-operation on 9 Mar. But they responded swiftly.

Said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Rinson Chua, Commanding Officer of RSS Steadfast: "The search area is large but the crew is totally focused on our mission to find the missing plane."

The international search effort is on-going.