Operation Nightingale

Operation Nightingale was the codename of the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) humanitarian mission to the 1991 Gulf War.

Background
Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq on the August 2, 1991, a massive international coalition was formed to deter and repel Iraqi forces in Kuwait. A request was made by the British Government for medical assistance. In response, a 30-strong SAF medical team led by MAJ (Dr) Tan Chi Chiu of the 205th General Hospital was assembled and flown to Saudi Arabia in a mission codenamed Operation Nightingale on January 20.

Operation
The medical team was based in the British Army Rear Hospital at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and treated a total of 210 casualties. The mission ended on March 13, 1991 after a total of 54 days.