Guardians of legacy

1st Warrant Officer (1WO) (Ret) Mohd Haniffa, Leading/SWANS (LSW) (Ret) Judy Kong and Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Ret) Tan Swee Kee are trailblazers who helped pave the way for a modern and credible fighting force.

As the Singapore Armed Forces Veterans League (SAFVL) celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, find out more about these remarkable veterans who continue to serve even now as Commitment to Defence (C2D) Ambassadors.

The Air Force builder

When 1WO (Ret) Haniffa, 78, tells you he assembled Singapore’s first military aircraft, you best believe him.

As part of the first cohort of 18 ex-Royal Air Force technicians to join the fledgling Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) in 1969, he took receipt of the Cessna 172K aircraft that were delivered in May that year.

PIONEER (PNR): Is it true you assembled the SADC's first aircraft – with just a manual to guide you?

The Cessna 172Ks arrived in huge wooden crates with their wheels and wings removed. There was no expert to teach us, so we had to assemble them one by one, just by reading the manual and following the instructions.

We had to be meticulous. We used two sprays, red and white, to check every part for cracks.

It was a slow, careful process, but we knew every step was history in the making.

PNR: What was the most memorable part of your 30 years in the RSAF?

I truly enjoyed my entire career because I was there building the technical and logistical aspects of the Air Force from the ground up, from the very start.

The most important "glue" was the incredible teamwork. In aviation, safety is everything, and we all had each other’s backs.

My proudest personal moment was in 1995 when I was presented with the Efficiency Medal (Military) by then-Defence Minister Dr Tony Tan. That was a validation of all my hard work over the years.

PNR: As a C2D Ambassador, how do you make Singapore's history relatable to young people?

I've learned that students don't care much about dry facts – you have to turn it into a story!

With preschoolers, for example, the language (we use) is totally different. I explain why we lock our doors at night to help them understand why Singapore needs the SAF to protect our home.

The goal is to make them understand the “why” behind national defence.

PNR: What message do you have for the younger generation of servicemen and women?

The Singapore you inherit is strong because of those who came before you, and it will remain strong because of you. Never forget that the future of our nation rests in your hands.

Trailblazing SWAN

During the era of a fledgling Singapore, she broke the mould by volunteering for the Singapore Women's Auxiliary Naval Service (SWANS) in 1964.

LSW (Ret) Kong, 78, served as a radar plotter during Konfrontasi (a period in the mid-1960s when Indonesia opposed the formation of the Federation of Malaysia), and eventually witnessed the birth of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

PNR: What motivated you to join the SWANS?

The 1960s was a time of great uncertainty with political upheavals and unrest. For us in the SWANS, it was a new wave of nationalistic fervor.

I was born and bred here and felt proud to belong to a country I call home. We wanted to serve alongside the men, and they supported us.

PNR: How do you feel the role of women in the SAF has changed since your time in the SWANS?

Today's women are well-educated, articulate and confident. They can hold their own.

In the SAF, men and women now complement one another in many diverse roles. I believe more young women should step up to shoulder the responsibility of defending our country's sovereignty.

PNR: How did you feel about participating in the Mobile Column at National Day Parade (NDP) 2025?

This year's NDP brought on a flood of memories and emotions as I reflected on our people who are of different races, languages, religions, and cultures, yet had come together as one in their ownership of Singapore.

Having the veterans in NDP 2025 showcased to the younger generation that Singapore at 60 years old is still strong and resilient, having survived WWII, racial riots, economic crises, and more.

The expert communicator

He managed communication crises in a time when email did not exist, working with some of the best minds in the civil service to deliver the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and SAF’s messages to the masses.

Though retired from the service, 76-year-old LTC (Ret) Tan’s mission continues today in spreading the message of national defence to students of all ages.

PNR: What was your time like in the MINDEF Public Communications Department?

It was a high-stakes environment. You were always “on call”, and when your pager (which looked more like a weapon than a phone) beeped, you knew that duty was calling.

I remember being on the phone with a newsroom reporter and getting them to hold before going on air, while Mr Lim Siong Guan (then MINDEF’s Permanent Secretary) was on another line getting a news release cleared by the Defence Minister.

I was fortunate to learn from great thinkers like Mr Lim and Mr Peter Ho (former Head of the Singapore Civil Service) – you could get smarter just by listening to them.

Our "morning prayers," which were daily 20- to 30-minute meetings, were where we saw real leadership in action.

The people I crossed paths with also taught me that everyone has a different style, and you learn to adapt and respect that.

PNR: What inspired you to start "Ah Gong Tell Stories" for preschoolers?

Many of our veterans are themselves Ah Gongs and Ah Mahs (grandpas and grandmas) – I have six grandchildren, the youngest being four years old.

Preschoolers are quick to absorb things and kindergartens are an ideal setting for inculcating the "we first" societal shift that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently spoke about.

We use play, singing and acting to explain important messages in a way they can understand.

During a recent session, a little girl handed me a small picture of a pair of dancers and said, "Thank you, Mr Tan." How sweet!

This tells me that storytelling is incredibly powerful, especially for young minds, and affirmed that we were connecting with them on a personal level. These moments are the real reward.