Singapore joins quake and tsunami relief operation in Japan; Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) team now airborne on SQ 12

A rescue team from Singapore is currently en route to Japan to join earthquake and tsunami relief operations there after killer waves swamped parts of Japan's eastern seaboard yesterday afternoon.

The mission, codenamed Operation Lionheart, is believed to be the first time a rescue team from Singapore has been sent to Japan for quake relief work.

The Lionheart Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team comprises five personnel and five rescue dogs from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). They are led by Major Tan Loo Ping. All but one of the SCDF officers were in Chrischurch, New Zealand, recently on a previous Lionheart mission after an earthquake levelled parts of the city.

The team took off from Changi International Airport (SIN) aboard Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 12 and is expected to arrive in Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT) just before 5pm this afternoon. The SCDF Lionheart team will then work alongside Japanese rescue forces.

SCDF Deploys Search Team to Japan
Source: Corporate Communications Branch, Public Affairs Department, SCDF
12 March 2011
Update No: 1

SCDF has deployed 5 search specialists and 5 search dogs to Japan to assist in the search operations following the 8.8 - magnitude earthquake that occurred on 11 Mar 2011. The SCDF officers are from the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) contingent, codenamed Operation Lionheart.

Led by Search Platoon Commander, Major Tan Loo Ping, the 5-man team comprise experienced officers. Members of the team have all participated in past overseas search and rescue operations. MAJ Tan, including three of the officers, have just returned from Christchurch, New Zealand (NZ) on 6 March 2011 after participating there [NZ] in the search and rescue efforts.

The SCDF search team left via commercial flight (SQ 12) today at 10.44am (Singapore time). The team was sent off by the Senior Director of Emergency Services, Assistant Commissioner Eric Yap. Upon arrival in Japan, MAJ Tan will coordinate with the local authorities as to the areas to be deployed.