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Singapore personnel, from SAF, alongside NZ Defence Force personnel lay a wreath in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens in memory of those who died in the Christchurch Earthquake.

Media Release

15 March 2011

Singapore Armed Forces Assistance Appreciated

The last elements of the Singapore Armed Forces leave Christchurch tomorrow morning after contributing to the Christchurch Quake relief effort.

The Singapore Armed Forces personnel were originally in Christchurch to participate in a military exercise with the New Zealand Defence Force when the earthquake struck on 22 February. They were later joined by two Singapore C130 Hercules aircraft that worked alongside the Royal New Zealand Air Force to create an air bridge to transport supplies and people.
The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Rhys Jones, praised the Singaporean team for their immediate offer of assistance to work alongside the Defence Force and civil authorities in maintaining security in the inner city and assisting with a number of the other key tasks.
“Without any hesitation they offered their help in whatever way they could, whether it was on the cordons, engineering or transporting people out of Christchurch."

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“Their flexibility and willingness to contribute to the support effort is very much appreciated by the people of the Defence Force that worked alongside them, and without doubt by the people of Christchurch.”
“It is in times of difficulty that true friends show themselves, and I cannot say enough about the Singapore Armed Forces contribution, or willingness to help."

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ENDS

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