Operation Thunderstorm
Encyclopedia
Operation Thunderstorm was the codename for the Singapore Armed Forces
's operation to contain refugees fleeing South Vietnam
following the fall of Saigon
in 1975.
.
On the 2 May 1975, the first wave of 300 refugees arrived in Singapore waters on board the vessel Troung Hai. A total of up to 8,355 refugees was believed to have entered Singapore waters during this period until the 14 May 1975.
During this period, Operation Thunderstorm was activated by MINDEF
. The operation involved the Republic of Singapore Air Force
, Republic of Singapore Navy
, Singapore Army
and the then Marine Police
as well as various government bodies.
and a SAF Field Hospital was deployed to Bedok Jetty
to provide first aid and other essential medical services.
The Navy sent its technicians and engineers to inspect and repair the refugee boats. Food, water, fuel oil and other provisions were given in order to ensure the departure of the vessels. A number of weapons were also confiscated from the refugee boats.
Singapore Armed Forces
The Singapore Armed Forces is the military arm of the Total Defence of the Republic of Singapore; as well as the military component of the Ministry of Defence. The SAF comprises three branches: the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Navy...
's operation to contain refugees fleeing South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
following the fall of Saigon
Fall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front on April 30, 1975...
in 1975.
Background
Following the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975, large numbers of South Vietnamese begun to flee Vietnam for fear of persecution heralding the arrival of the Boat PeopleBoat people
Boat people is a term that usually refers to refugees, illegal immigrants or asylum seekers who emigrate in numbers in boats that are sometimes old and crudely made...
.
On the 2 May 1975, the first wave of 300 refugees arrived in Singapore waters on board the vessel Troung Hai. A total of up to 8,355 refugees was believed to have entered Singapore waters during this period until the 14 May 1975.
During this period, Operation Thunderstorm was activated by MINDEF
Ministry of Defence (Singapore)
The Ministry of Defence is a ministry of the Government of Singapore entrusted with overseeing the national defence needs of the Republic of Singapore. It is the headquarters of the Singapore Armed Forces...
. The operation involved the Republic of Singapore Air Force
Republic of Singapore Air Force
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is the air arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was first established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command...
, Republic of Singapore Navy
Republic of Singapore Navy
The Republic of Singapore Navy is the naval component of the Singapore Armed Forces , responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded littoral waters of the Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as...
, Singapore Army
Singapore Army
The Singapore Army is the branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for land operations. It is the largest of the three armed services and heavily reliant on a conscript army, comprising the majority of Singapore's Operationally Ready National Servicemen .-Capabilities:The mission of the...
and the then Marine Police
Police Coast Guard
The Police Coast Guard is the Marine Police division of the Singapore Police Force which also takes on roles of the coast guard typically handled by the military or as separate organisations in other countries...
as well as various government bodies.
Objectives
The primary objective of the operation was to contain, quarantine and prevent refugees from entering and staying in Singapore.Execution
The Republic of Singapore Navy and the Police Coast Guard was tasked to intercept and detain all Singapore bound refugee boats. Quarantine areas were set up along the beaches of Marine ParadeMarine Parade
Marine Parade is a town and an urban planning area in Singapore directly to the east of the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.-Location:...
and a SAF Field Hospital was deployed to Bedok Jetty
Bedok Jetty
Bedok JettyBedok Jetty is the longest fishing jetty in Singapore. It is located in of East Coast Park.It is the most popular jetty for fishing in Singapore, but it is also frequented by cyclists, rollerbladers, joggers or park visitors since it is a part of East Coast Park.-History:Bedok Jetty...
to provide first aid and other essential medical services.
The Navy sent its technicians and engineers to inspect and repair the refugee boats. Food, water, fuel oil and other provisions were given in order to ensure the departure of the vessels. A number of weapons were also confiscated from the refugee boats.