SINGAPORE SENDS NAVAL SHIP TO GULF OF ADEN

SINGAPORE, April 10 (Bernama) -- Singapore Thursday dispatched 240-strong
armed personnel, a naval landing ship tank (LST) and two helicopters in support
of international efforts to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

The government sent its navy's RSS Persistence LST with two of the Republic
of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Super Puma helicopters on board.

The task group, consisting of men from the Republic's Army, Navy and Air
Force, was led by 3rd Flotilla Commander Col. Bernard Miranda, Singapore's
Defence Ministry said in a statement Thursday.

The task group would operate under the ambit of the multinational Combined
Task Force (CTF) 151 to conduct sector patrols to deter pirate attacks in the
Gulf of Aden, it added.

Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong officiated at the send-off
ceremony held at the Changi Naval Base Thursday evening.

-- BERNAMA