RSAF deploys two helicopters to help Australia in flood relief efforts in Queensland
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Personnel from the RSAF and the ADF discussing flood relief operations as the helicopter is being prepared.
PHOTO: MINDEF/FACEBOOK
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SINGAPORE – The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has sent two Chinook helicopters to help the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in flood relief efforts in Queensland, which has been ravaged by torrential rains since last week.
The CH-47F helicopters, deployed on Feb 4, will help to transport personnel and emergency supplies to civilians affected by the flood in northern Queensland, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Feb 6.
The aircraft are from the RSAF’s Oakey Detachment in the Australian Army Aviation Training Centre in the north-eastern state.
The ministry said Australia and Singapore “share a close and longstanding defence relationship” and that Singapore stands ready to assist the ADF in flood relief efforts.
Queensland has been battered by heavy rainfall in the past week, leading to the deaths of two people and forcing the authorities to urge thousands of people to evacuate.
In some places, more than 1m of rain fell over 48 hours, The Guardian newspaper reported.
Showers and storms have been forecast across northern Queensland this weekend, with localised falls of 100mm possible, Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy was quoted as saying by ABC News.
RSAF personnel loading supplies on the Chinook helicopter for the flood-affected areas.
PHOTO: MINDEF
A 63-year-old woman was killed on Feb 2
Two days later, the body of an 82-year-old woman was found in a cane field after flood waters receded.
