Singaporean Fokker 50 returns from Gulf of Aden deployment

The Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft Singapore sent to the Gulf of Aden has returned to its base after three months of operations.

The aircraft was based in Djibouti during its deployment and conducted 58 sorties under the command of Combine Task Force 151, Singapore's defence ministry said.

Aside from general patrol duties, the aircraft helped to coordinate search operations and investigate suspicious vessels.

"I am proud to lead a team of professionals as part of the multinational efforts to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden," detachment commander Lt Col Sung Chun Keet said.

"The detachment worked hard to overcome the challenges and completed all the missions assigned successfully and safely," he added.

The mission to the Gulf of Aden was the first overseas deployment for one of Singapore's Fokker 50s.

Later this year, Singapore will deploy a warship to the Gulf of Aden with two Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopters.

Source: Flight International