DR MALIKI THANKS SERVICEMEN BEHIND FLAG FLYPAST IN NDP

The flypast of the Singapore Flag is one of the longest-standing and certainly most iconic of National Day Parade (NDP) traditions.

Flown from the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Chinook helicopters since 2000, the flypast is also one of the few segments of the celebrations that can be enjoyed by Singaporeans both inside and outside the parade grounds.

Successfully pulling off the spectacle is no easy feat. It takes the collective effort of the Presidential Flag Salute Crew (PFSC), which comprises the crew from 127 Squadron (SQN) who fly the Chinooks, as well as dedicated Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) working behind the scenes to ready the flags for take-off.

With preparations for the NDP starting as early as April, batches of NSmen have been returning to join the PFSC as part of their in-camp training (ICT). Currently back for their two-and-a-half-week ICT are some 40 to 80 NSmen from 806 SQN and 816 SQN.

Although each flypast lasts barely minutes, the NSmen spend the week leading up to the weekend NDP rehearsals preparing the flags and accompanying equipment. This involves the deceptively simple-sounding task of rolling up the flag before it is slung to the underside of the Chinook.

"The most difficult part is making sure that the flags are rolled up properly so that they will open up nicely during deployment," said Third Sergeant (3SG) (NS) Lau Hsiao Loong, an aircraft technician in 806 SQN.

The flag, which is approximately the size of a basketball court, takes about 20 men 20 minutes to roll up, breadth-wise. 3SG (NS) Ho Eng Kien, 806 SQN's avionics specialist, explained that the process was not unlike commanding a dragon boat race: "Someone will shout the command, '1, 2, 3, roll', and then we will roll once."

Precision is essential because a flag that is not rolled up evenly may not unravel completely after the release rope it is bound by is let go. The flag may even become entangled or tear while it is raised. For each NDP rehearsal, the PFSC at Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) prepares several flags before they are sent to Pulau Sudong to be raised by the Chinooks. This is to ensure that flags which do not open up properly can be quickly replaced.

On 26 Jul, Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman saw how it was all done when he visited the NSmen at SBAB and Pulau Sudong.

At Pulau Sudong, he joined the PFSC in pulling the release rope on one of the contingency Chinooks. He later joined the aircrew on board the actual Chinook flying the Singapore Flag to the NDP National Education (NE) Show 3 at The Float @ Marina Bay.

Dr Maliki thanked the servicemen for their hard work, and highlighted the significance of the flypast. "The flag is a rallying point for all Singaporeans. When I attend NDP every year, when the rotors of the Chinook start to sound in the distance, it sets my heart beating," he said. He also encouraged the men to share on social media sites their experiences working in the NDP, as this would raise awareness among their families and friends about their involvement, and enable the public to better appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

As for the NSmen of 806 SQN and 816 SQN, they have chosen to continue playing their role as keepers of the flag flypast in the NDP all these years.

Said 3SG (NS) Teng Teck Hou, an armament technician in 806 SQN: "I chose this (role) because it gives me a great sense of purpose to help out in the National Day celebrations."

3SG (NS) Lau agreed: "Not many people have the chance to do this. We are proud to be the few who have the opportunity to work on such an important part of the parade."