Friday, 16 May 2008
"OPERATION LION HEART" (CHINA EARTHQUAKE)
SCDF Lion Heart Contingent depart for China - Update 1

In response to the massive earthquake which struck Eastern Sichuan, China on 12 May 2008, the SCDF has deployed an overseas rescue contingent (codenamed Operation Lion Heart) to Chengdu, China.

SCDF’s Lion Heart Contingent departed from Paya Lebar Airbase at 1115hrs (local time) onboard two Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) C-130s military aircrafts. Commissioner James Tan, Commissioner SCDF was at Paya Lebar Airbase to send off the contingent. The flight is expected to take about 7 hours.

Upon arrival at Chengdu, China, the Lion Heart Contingent will link up with the local authorities for a briefing before being deployed to assigned areas to carry out search and rescue operations.