Singapore to join anti-piracy mission in Gulf of Aden for the ninth time

The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) RSS Endurance is pictured with one of its fast craft in the Gulf of Aden on 2010. Singapore will answer the call of duty - for the ninth time since 2009 - to support international counter-piracy efforts in
The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) RSS Endurance is pictured with one of its fast craft in the Gulf of Aden on 2010. Singapore will answer the call of duty - for the ninth time since 2009 - to support international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden next year. -- ST FILE PHOTO: JERMYN CHOW

Singapore will answer the call of duty - for the ninth time since 2009 - to support international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden next year.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Thursday that the Singapore Armed Forces will send a stealth frigate and a naval helicopter to the pirate-infested waters off Somalia from March to June.

The three-month stint will see the warship and chopper joining the multi-national Combined Task Force 151 to patrol the area and thwart any pirate attacks.

Dr Ng announced the new piracy patrol mission at the end of the Combined 44th Command and Staff Course (CSC), 14th National CSC and 2nd CSC (Executive).

A total of 209 officers and military experts who graduated from the military course received their certificates from Dr Ng at the Istana on Thursday.

At the ceremony, Dr Ng also revealed that career soldiers who graduate from the course will receive the Graduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership that is accredited by the Singapore Workforce Development Authority.

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