Singapore withdraws three helicopters

MEDAN: The Singapore government has withdrawn three Seahawk helicopters from the national coordination post in Polonia, Medan, while 965 troops in Meulaboh and Banda Aceh are set to return to their home country.

Coordinator of foreign aircraft assisting tsunami victims in Aceh and North Sumatra, Air Marshall Ganjar Wiranegara, said on Friday that Singapore was the first country to withdraw from Polonia. He said the move would not affect aid distribution efforts.

"Although Singapore has withdrawn three Seahawk helicopters, it still has three Chinook in Meulaboh and two Super Puma helicopters in Banda Aceh. But they will also return (to Singapore) soon," Ganjar said.

Singapore consulate general in Pekanbaru Ajit Singh, told The Jakarta Post by phone it would be five weeks before the remaining five helicopters in Aceh returned home. Of around 900 Singapore soldiers assisting tsunami victims, only a few would remain in Aceh to operate the helicopters, he said, adding that when all the soldiers returned to Singapore, they would be replaced by volunteers. -- JP