The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) CH-47 Chinook helicopters would be based at Fort Polk, Louisiana, during the mission, said a Singapore Defense Ministry statement issued by the city state's embassy in Washington.

"Singapore's Chinook helicopters will be working closely with the Texas Army National Guard in their disaster relief operations," it said, adding that the aircraft would undertake resupply and airlift missions.

Thirty-eight RSAF personnel, comprising pilots, aircrew and technicians, are participating in the relief operation.

Estimates of the number of dead across the hurricane-hit US Gulf Coast ran into the thousands, with one senator predicting a toll of more than 10,000 in Louisiana alone.

Tens of thousands remained stranded without proper food, water, power or sanitation four days after Katrina ravaged New Orleans, the worst hit city in Louisiana.

Singapore is one of the United States' closest allies in Asia.

A Singapore Air Force tanker aircraft is currently deployed to help US-led forces in Iraq, conducting air-to-air refuelling missions for the multinational forces.

It had previously sent four small but diplomatically significant military deployments to help in Iraq.

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