As a small city state, it’s hard for us to imagine the massive scale of the destruction wrought by the bushfires in Australia.

Still raging, the bushfires have already destroyed more than 6 million hectares – 80 Singapores! – and killed half a billion animals, not to mention the tragic loss of human lives.

On January 6, two The Republic of Singapore Air Force Chinooks took off from Oakey, Australia with 42 SAF personnel bound for Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale, Victoria, where they will work alongside the Australian Defence Force for their relief efforts.

Our Chinooks will bring in firefighting and relief supplies and also help evacuate residents from the affected areas.

Australia has welcomed SAF troops to train there for decades, and in their time of great need, it’s only natural that the SAF do our best to help their people and communities affected by this unexpected natural disaster.