December 28, 03:22 PM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 *[Update: Dec.28, 1645Hrs] Indonesia has accepted Singapore's offer to assist in the search and locate efforts of the missing Indonesia AirAsia aircraft QZ8501. While the Singapore Rescue Coordination Centre have offered their planes and ships, the Indonesian authorities had requested for one C130 for now.
Remember US President Barack Obama's election slogan "Fire Up, Ready To Go"?
This must be what the Singapore authorities are feeling now regarding missing Indonesia AirAsia aircraft, QZ8501.
The running theme along the various key politicians' messages on Facebook, is that they are willing to render help to the Indonesian authorities anywhere, anytime.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
"Two RSAF C-130 search and locate aircrafts are on standby, ready to go".
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen
"I told him (Indonesian Defence Minister) that our SAF planes and ships were already on standby. If he needed their services or any other assistance, the SAF is ready to help."
In fact, Minister Ng had posted twice on Facebook that the Singapore Air Force's C130s and Navy ships are already on standby.
Foreign Minister K Shanmugam
"I have just spoken to Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on the situation".
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew
Unfortunately, the local authorities are unable to proceed as the aircraft was lost in Indonesia territory.
According to Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), "the aircraft was in the Indonesian Flight Information Region (FIR) when contact was lost, more than 200 nm southeast of the Singapore-Jakarta FIR boundary".
CAAS also added that the Singapore Rescue Coordination Centre has been activated and has offered help to the Indonesian authorities.
The Defence Ministry also told Channel NewsAsia, "The Singapore Armed Forces stands ready to commit more assets if required for the operation".
Precious minutes are ticking by.
Although search and rescue operations have been activated by the Indonesian authorities from the Pangkal Pinang Search and Rescue office, let's hope our C-130s and navy ships can be deployed soon.
Related articles
AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore has gone missing
Everything you need to know about AirAsia flight QZ8501 you can learn from Twitter
FB Comments by PM Lee and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam on missing flight AirAsia flight QZ8501
Top photo from Wikipedia.
If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.
If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram to get the latest updates.