1971/01 - Kuantan flood relief

Exercise/Operation

Kuantan flood relief

Helicopters

Alouette III

Year

1971

SADC carried out its first overseas mission, deploying five Alouette III helicopters for flood relief in Kuantan, Malaysia.

Five Alouette III helicopters were deployed to assist in the Kuantan flood relief operation in Malaysia. This marked the SADC’s first operational deployment.

RSAF personnel pose in front of an Alouette helicopter during early operations.

The operation team of pilots and a ground crew was led by MAJ Terry Loh.

Newspaper clipping titled "River rescue by SAF copter" with article text below

Five Alouette IIIs and a 75-strong crew were mobilised for the operation.

“I captained one of the four aircraft deployed for the mission after we were given orders the previous afternoon. We did not really know what to expect in that operation, only that we were supposed to provide aid by distributing supplies and evacuating people who were stranded...Now when I look back, I am proud to know that the SADC was ready and able, in spite of its fledgling status.”

LTC (Ret) Leo Tin Boon, Pioneer Alouette Helicopter Pilot, 120 Squadron, 2009 who participated in the first overseas operation in Kuantan.