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Earthquake at Türkiye
In response to the request for humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in Türkiye, SCDF deployed an Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent to assist in the disaster rescue efforts.
Digital Photobook on Operation Lionheart Deployment in the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake
The digital photobook chronicles the courage and resilience of the SCDF Operation Lionheart Contingent, throughout their deployment in the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake in February 2023. The officers worked hand-in-glove with their international counterparts, overcoming the various challenges to bring hope to the affected people of Türkiye.
Mission Updates
Update 1 on 8/2/23
An advance team of 20 SCDF officers from the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent will be departing for Adana, Türkiye at 2:05 a.m. today (8 Feb), to assist in the disaster rescue efforts in the aftermath of the Türkiye-Syria earthquake.
Led by LTC Lok Wee Keong, commander of SCDF’s elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART), the advance team comprises 14 DART rescuers, four paramedic specialists and a Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) doctor.
The team was at HQ SCDF yesterday morning to begin their pre-departure briefing and preparation. They are carrying a slew of portable Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) equipment such as cutting/breaking/lifting equipment, life detection devices and fibre-optic scopes, and this will allow the team to be quickly deployed to affected areas for USAR operations.
Yesterday evening, His Excellency Mehmet Burçin Gönenli, Turkish Ambassador to Singapore, visited SCDF Headquarters and met up with the OLH contingent to express his gratitude and appreciation to the team.
Prior to the team's departure, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State (MOS) for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, and COMR Eric Yap, Commissioner SCDF, were at the airport to send the team off.
We would like to thank Singapore Airlines for facilitating the flight arrangements on short notice.
We wish our OLH contingent a safe and successful mission.
Update 2 on 8/2/23
The Operation Lionheart advance team arrived in İstanbul earlier today and are now in Adana, a city in Southern Türkiye. From Adana, the team will be deployed to the affected areas to commence search and rescue operations.
We are thankful for the support provided by the Singapore Embassy in Ankara, the İstanbul Airport's senior management and the Turkish government officials, for facilitating our arrival.
Update 1 on 9/2/23
SCDF prepares to deploy second team to Türkiye
An additional 48 SCDF personnel have started preparations for deployment to Türkiye to augment the 20-member advance team. These personnel are expected to leave Singapore within the next 48 hours.
Led by Contingent Commander COL Chew Keng Tok, the entire 68-member contingent will comprise officers from the elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART), operations officers, medical doctors, paramedics, search specialists with four canines, hazardous materials assessment officers and support officers.
With the 68 personnel complement, this will give the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent greater scope, scale and capacity to carry out more sustained and prolonged Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations within affected areas.
Update 2 on 9/2/23
Boy Rescued from a Collapsed Building in Dulkadiroğlu
The advance team of 20 SCDF officers from the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent landed in Adana yesterday and headed to Dulkadiroğlu, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye to begin search and rescue operations.
In the course of the search and rescue operations amidst the cold weather (about 2℃), a boy was found in a collapsed 3-storey building.
SCDF worked together with the local rescue team and a rescue team from Spain to rescue the boy. The Spanish rescue team used their search canine to pinpoint the location of the boy and SCDF used a fibre-optic scope to confirm the visuals of the boy.
All three rescue teams used their cutting and breaking equipment to create an access through the rubble to reach the boy. The boy was rescued from a bedroom in the collapsed building at about 11:45 p.m. yesterday (9 Feb, 4:45 a.m., Singapore time) in a 3-hour rescue operation.
Update 3 on 9/2/23
SCDF Deploys Second Team to Türkiye
A second team, comprising 48 SCDF personnel and four canines from SCDF's K-9 unit, departed for Adana, Türkiye at about 2 a.m. this morning, 10 February 2023.
This team will augment the 20-member advance team that was deployed earlier this week. The 68-member strong Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent will give more scope, scale and capacity to carry out sustained and prolonged Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations within affected areas. To support the contingent’s enhanced USAR operations, additional search and rescue equipment, medical supplies, and communications and logistics support equipment, will also be brought along.
The contingent was sent off by His Excellency Mehmet Burçin Gönenli, Turkish Ambassador to Singapore, and Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, at SCDF Headquarters earlier this evening.
More updates on OLH operations will be provided over the next few days.
Update 1 on 10/2/23
Joint Rescue Operation at Kanlıdere Cd., Dulkadiroğlu/Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye
Yesterday at about 8 p.m. (10 Feb, 1 a.m., Singapore time), the advance team from SCDF’s Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent was dispatched together with the Local Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) to conduct a search and rescue operation at Kanlıdere Cd., after reports of faint calls for help were heard coming from a semi-collapse 2-storey building.
Upon arrival at the location, five elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) personnel and a paramedic worked closely with LEMA to conduct the search and rescue operation.
After ensuring the stability of the semi-collapsed building, LEMA and SCDF accessed the second floor through the back of the building where the faint calls were heard. SCDF used a fibre-optic scope and confirmed that a man was trapped behind a large concrete slab. LEMA then used breaking equipment to create an opening. The man was rescued within half an hour.
Update 2 on 10/2/23
Operation Lionheart - Second Team Arrived in Adana, Türkiye
The second team had arrived safely in İstanbul earlier today, and are now in Adana, Türkiye. The 48-member team and four canines will augment the 20-member advance team that was deployed earlier this week.
Update on 12/2/23
Operation Lionheart Base of Operations in Kahramanmaraş
Following the arrival of the second Operation Lionheart (OLH) team in Adana, Türkiye on 10 Feb, the OLH Base of Operation (BoO) in Kahramanmaraş was expanded to accommodate the full 68-member OLH contingent.
Over the last 24 hours, two teams from the OLH contingent were deployed at two different sectors in the city centre. Located about 13 km from the BoO, both teams conducted assessments and identified potential rescue sites.
Each team comprised eight officers from DART, two search specialists with their canines, one paramedic and two support officers. USAR life detection equipment were also deployed to locate possible casualties for these sector assessments.
A total of seven sites were assessed and both teams returned back to the BoO after the OLH contingent’s assistance were no longer required.
Update 1 on 13/2/23
Update 8: Operation Lionheart continues with Search and Rescue Mission
Yesterday (12 Feb), two teams from the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent were deployed to two sectors in the city centre about 20 km from the Base of Operations (BoO).
The teams assessed several collapsed buildings and identified two potential rescue sites. Siblings Frenchy and Rizzo, our two canines, were deployed to conduct a search at both sites.
Update 2 on 13/2/23
Operation Lionheart meets Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team
This afternoon (13 Feb), team members of the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent met up with their counterparts from the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) at their Base of Operations.
Members of SCDF and SMART interacted with each other for about an hour and reaffirmed their strong ties.
Update on 14/2/23
SCDF’s Operation Lionheart Search Platoon
As part of the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent, search specialists and four canines from SCDF’s search platoon are deployed together with DART rescuers to conduct search and rescue operations at potential rescue sites.
Highly intelligent, SCDF’s search canines have the aptitude for searching for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings. With a keen sense of smell, they are trained to search confined spaces in collapsed building structures.
To ensure the well-being of our four search canines, a series of measures are in place to ensure that they receive the best care during the deployment. This includes housing them in climate-controlled cargo holds during their flight, taking them on walks for playtime, providing them a nutritious diet and giving them a wipe-down at the end of the day to keep them clean. The search canines also have their own thermal jackets and blankets to keep them warm. In addition, the two medical doctors with the OLH contingent are also trained in basic canine care.
Update on 15/2/23
SCDF’s Operation Lionheart Medical Team
As part of the Operation Lionheart contingent, two Full-time National Servicemen (NSF) doctors and four paramedics are deployed with the contingent to provide medical coverage.
Experienced in responding to medical emergencies, our team of paramedics are adept at providing immediate pre-hospital medical care to casualties at rescue sites. In addition, the two doctors are trained in advanced trauma life support and would augment the medical care provided at the incident site by our paramedics.
Update 1 on 16/2/23
SCDF's Operation Lionheart Technician Team
Working quietly behind the scenes during the deployment are Mr Suhaimi Bin Da’ed and Mr Nurhadi Bin Eeban. The two technical specialists are from HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) and are assigned to SCDF’s Equipment Maintenance Branch.
Highly specialised in multi-disciplinary engineering and technical skills, the dynamic duo plays a critical role in ensuring that all Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) equipment used by the rescuers are operating in tip-top condition and ready for deployment. All equipment at the Base of Operation (BoO) such as portable power generators and lighting systems are also maintained by this technical team.
During prolonged rescues, Mr Suhaimi and Mr Nurhadi can provide the necessary technical support to the contingent at the rescue site.
We thank HTXSG for their contribution to Operation Lionheart (OLH), working hand in hand with SCDF.
Update 2 on 16/2/23
SCDF's Operation Lionheart Psychological Team
A disaster can trigger critical stress. This can come in the form of emotional, mental or physical exhaustion, which can potentially be traumatic to responders who are deployed to disaster sites to undertake rescue operations.
For the first time, two officers from the SCDF’s Emergency Behavioural Sciences and Care unit (EBSC) formed part of the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent to provide in-situ psychological support to its responders.
They monitor the contingent members’ morale and psychological well-being, and ensure the overall psychological readiness of rescuers during the deployment. These officers help enable appropriate and timely psychological intervention when required.
Meet Home Team Specialist (HTS) Khoo Swee Giang, Lead Psychologist and LTA Khoo Chong Wee, Emergency Readiness Officer from SCDF’s EBSC unit.
Update 1 on 17/2/23
Standing down of Operation Lionheart
As Operation Lionheart (OLH) draws to a close, the 68-member contingent is preparing to depart from Türkiye later today (17 Feb).
A few days prior to the departure, the OLH contingent met with the Türkiye National Medical Rescue Team, otherwise known as the Ulusal Medikal Kurtarma Ekibi (UMKE). The UMKE specialises in medical disaster relief and has been rendering assistance to Türkiye following the massive earthquake. During the meeting, the OLH contingent contributed medical supplies such as trauma equipment and medical drugs, as well as other necessities like food rations, thermal wear and tents.
Ambassador Jonathan Tow, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Republic of Türkiye also visited the OLH contingent at their Base of Operation as the OLH contingent were making preparations to stand down.
The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) suit worn by the OLH contingent represents an important element of identity among us and our commitment to saving lives. The USAR suits were presented to the locals as a gesture of our friendship and solidarity with them as they move forward to rebuild their lives following this devastating earthquake. Although the OLH contingent is leaving Türkiye, the people of Türkiye will always be in our hearts and minds.
Update 1 on 17/2/23
SCDF's Operation Lionheart to return on 18 Feb
SCDF's Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent will be returning home tomorrow morning, 5 a.m. at Changi Airport Terminal 3.
Since 8 Feb, the OLH contingent and four canines were deployed to Türkiye to assist in disaster rescue efforts.
We look forward to their safe return home tomorrow morning 
Update on 18/2/23
SCDF's Operation Lionheart Homecoming
On 8 February 2023, SCDF deployed the Operation Lionheart (OLH) contingent to Türkiye to assist in disaster rescue efforts in the aftermath of the Türkiye-Syria earthquake.
The OLH contingent, comprising 68 members and four canines, had safely returned to Singapore early this morning (18 Feb). The contingent members were received by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State (MOS) for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, and His Excellency Mehmet Burçin Gönenli, Turkish Ambassador to Singapore at Changi Airport. Families and loved ones were also present to warmly welcome them home.
In his welcome address, Minister Shanmugam commended the OLH contingent for their unwavering efforts in conducting extensive search and rescue operations across multiple rescue sites in Türkiye. He also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the families and loved ones for supporting the contingent members during their 10-day deployment.
On behalf of Türkiye, His Excellency Mehmet Burçin Gönenli thanked the OLH contingent for rendering assistance to the communities affected by the earthquake. He also acknowledged the contingent members for carrying out a safe and successful mission.
To our Lifesavers, thank you for your commitment and dedication to service. Welcome home!
SCDF would like to express our appreciation to Singapore Embassy in Ankara and the İstanbul Airport for the assistance rendered to the OLH contingent’s deployment in Türkiye. We would also like to thank Singapore Airlines, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Changi Airport, and Turkish Airlines for facilitating the contingent’s flight and logistical arrangements on short notice. The help that has been provided to us has been pivotal in supporting the OLH contingent’s deployment to, and return from Türkiye.