Friday, 16 May 2008
"OPERATION LION HEART" (CHINA EARTHQUAKE)
SCDF Lion Heart Contingent depart for China

Following the massive earthquake which struck Eastern Sichuan, China on 12 May 2008, the SCDF will be deploying an overseas rescue contingent (codenamed Operation Lion Heart) to Chengdu, China to assist the local authorities in search and rescue efforts. The contingent will depart later today from Paya Lebar Airbase onboard two Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) C-130s military aircraft.

Led by LTC Francis Ng How Juah, Commander of 4th CD Division, the 55 - member team includes experienced officers from our elite Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team (DART). The contingent will bring along a host of rescue equipment like fibre-optic scopes, life detector systems and hydraulic cutters and spreaders. Four search dogs are also part of this mission. The contingent is self-sufficient in terms of food, fuel and equipment for 2 weeks.

SCDF maintains a rescue contingent on 24-hour standby under the codename Operation Lion Heart. This is an overseas rescue mission to provide rescue and humanitarian assistance and support to countries stricken by major disasters. Below is the breakdown on the Lion Heart missions that have been deployed since its formation in 1990.

• Baguio City earthquake, Philippines - Jul 1990
• Highland Towers collapse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Dec 1993
• Tai Chung County earthquake in Taiwan - Sep 1999
• Asian Tsunami Disaster, Aceh, Indonesia - Dec 2004
• Asian Tsunami Disaster, Khao Lak, Thailand - Dec 2004
• Sumatra Earthquake, Nias Island, Indonesia - Mar 2005
• Rokan Hilir Bush Fires, Sumatra, Indonesia - Aug 2005
• South Asian Earthquake, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan - Oct 2005
• Central Java Earthquake, Indonesia - May 2006