Singapore withdraws three helicopters

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MEDAN: The Singapore government has withdrawn three Seahawk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"Although Singapore has withdrawn three Seahawk helicopters,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