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Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)
Second generation (1985 to 2005)

1997/07 - Operation Crimson Angel

Exercise/Operation

Operation Crimson Angel

Utility Aircraft

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

Year

1997

The RSAF’s Operation Crimson Angel evacuated 452 people from Phnom Penh amid political unrest, ensuring their safe return to Singapore.

When hostilities broke out between rival political factions in Phnom Penh, Singaporeans stranded in Cambodia requested for assistance from home. The RSAF was immediately mobilised. On 9 July 1997, six flights of C-130s were launched in two waves to ferry Singaporean businessmen and their families from Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh. Armed troops were also sent to secure the area around the airport with live ammunition.

Each flight had one RSAF security team and a medical team on standby for emergencies. The first C-130 took off at 6.40am and landed back at Paya Lebar Air Base around noon with 80 people on board, while the remaining aircraft followed at half-hour intervals and returned from the final flight at 6.54pm. In total, 452 people were safely evacuated through this operation.

Pochentong International Airport; people walk past armed guards outside.

More than 400 Singaporeans were evacuated from Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh and flown back to Singapore.

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