A GRAND 45TH BIRTHDAY FOR SINGAPORE AT THE PADANG

It was a sea of red and white at the Padang on 9 Aug, as 26,500 spectators donned the colours of the national flag to celebrate Singapore's 45th birthday.

Kicking off the celebrations with a thrilling descent from the skies were the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) Red Lions.

This was followed by the aerial display this year which saw the debut of the F-15SG fighter aircraft at the National Day Parade (NDP). In a four-minute showcase of precision flying and aerial finesse, these sleek jets had everyone craning their necks as they watched the planes execute the "shackle" manoeuvre and a "combat turn".

Featured only once every five years when the NDP is held at the Padang, the mobile column also wowed the crowds with a magnificent display of vehicles and equipment from the SAF and the Home Team.

The National Day celebrations were not just confined to the Padang area. After rumbling down St Andrew's Road, the mobile column headed towards five heartland locations in Bishan, Choa Chu Kang, Eunos, Sengkang and Woodlands, where celebrations were also being held to spread the celebratory spirit throughout Singapore.

Themed "Red, White & Wow!", the NDP show delivered its promise, rolling out colourful mass displays and spectacular song and dance performances from over 3,000 participants.

When 2010hrs or 8.10pm arrived, spectators at the five heartland locations and the Padang came together as one to recite the pledge and sing the National Anthem during the One Voice 2010 segment.

"I think this is the most meaningful part of the whole National Day celebrations. We don't get to say the pledge or sing the anthem often, so I think this is the perfect time for us to do it," said 19-year-old student Tan Jun Wen.

And as fireworks lit up the night sky in bursts of glittering colours, NDP 2010 ended on a high note with throngs of people swaying to the music and singing to that old National Day favourite, "Stand up for Singapore".

The air force performs a tribute to the nation in a stunning Bomb Burst move.

The enthusiastic crowd doing the Padang Wave .