2013/11 - Typhoon Haiyan Relief

Lockheed C-130 Hercules

2013

The RSAF responded to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, delivering relief supplies and evacuating refugees with a C-130 transport plane.

On 3 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, killing over 3,000 people and leaving millions stranded. A C-130 transport plane from the RSAF flew to the Philippines on 14 November 2013 to deliver $120,000 worth of relief supplies including tents, groundsheets, medical supplies, and blankets. It also helped evacuate refugees from disaster-stricken Tacloban to Manila.

People exiting a cargo plane. Woman holds child in blue blanket, aided by two uniformed crew members.

RSAF aircrew helping a mother and her baby off the C-130.

Military personnel loading white sacks onto an aircraft, with people visible outside.

The relief supplies delivered to Tacloban included 480 blankets, 200 six-man tents, 192 eight-man tents, 1,600 tarpaulins, and two emergency health kits.

Aircraft with Singapore flag and people waiting outside on an airfield.

The RSAF's C-130 helped evacuate victims from Tacloban to Manila.

“The RSAF’s training and exposure has made us stronger, and our ingrained fundamentals ensure continued success. We know we can be called upon any time...and each mission requires us to tackle it differently.”

LTC Ravi Chandran, Mission Navigator, 2013 on the experience he gained despite the challenges during the mission