Remembering the 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean earthquake & tsunami

The Republic of Singapore Navy tank landing ship (LST), RSS Endurance, seen from the mass grave in Meulaboh, Sumatra. I joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Operations Flying Eagle team and the TNI for a joint memorial ceremony on the last day of the SAF HADR mission in the coastal town. It was a very moving ceremony. At one point during the operation, the LSTs were designated as "helicopter landing platforms". This non-standard nomenclature arose because the SAF wanted to indicate to United Nations agencies coordinating international relief efforts that the LSTs were capable of embarking helicopters from their decks.

Singapore Army commanders and officers from RSS Endurance salute Meulaboh as the LST raised anchor and set course for Singapore on the last day of Operation Flying Eagle. The SAF sent three Endurance-class LSTs to Meulaboh. A fourth ship of that class was deployed for operations in the Persian Gulf during that same operational window. 

For me, Boxing Day will forever be remembered for the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that struck countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka on the morning of 26 December 2004.

I would imagine that those of us who were sent for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions to countries affected by what became known as the Boxing Day tsunami will never forget that experience.

The Singapore Armed Forces HADR mission, codenamed Operation Flying Eagle, marked my longest embed with the SAF - about 3.5 weeks with the Ops Flying Eagle team.

Today marks the 18th year since that natural disaster. Will spend a moment of quiet reflection in memory of those who died during the 2004 calamity, and pray that the survivors are coping well.

Here is a selection of pictures from my album. I have always wondered where the kids who played in the downwash of the departing helicopters are now, and how they are doing. Must be all grown up by now.

I wrote a book on the SAF's tsunami relief mission, titled Reaching Out: Operation Flying Eagle. Download your copy of the book here: https://bit.ly/3juX94p