GETTING UP CLOSE TO THE ACTION AT NDP '09

Come 9 Aug, on Singapore's 44th birthday, do not be alarmed to see smoke above the waters of Marina Bay.

For the first time, the Presidential Gun Salute, a traditional favourite at every National Day Parade (NDP), will sail in on M3G Military Float Bridges and fire just 200 metres away from the Float@Marina seating gallery.

Set against the majestic backdrop of the Merlion and One Fullerton, the Presidential Gun Salute will bring "a new experience for the audience on the floating platform, as well as those who will gather along the bay to celebrate National Day with us", said Colonel (COL) Chee Wai Mun, Chairman of NDP 09 Parade and Ceremony Committee, during the media brief on 18 Jun.

The 25-pounder ceremonial guns will fire a total of 21 rounds as President S.R. Nathan inspects the parade. In previous years, the firing took place on land venues and was shown on projector screens at the parade.

This spectacular display of firepower, which will last a few minutes, will take the crew at least three to four hours to set up from the shore and sail to the designated site for firing.

"We have to work within the confines of the M3G, which is about 10 metres wide, and it takes a lot of coordination, skill and practice to keep it in position," said Major Karen Wong, Chairman Presidential Gun Salute, on some of the challenges her crew faces.

Another new feature of this year's parade is a City March-pass, which will see the 23 marching contingents at the parade marching out of Marina Bay, into the heart of the city.

Stretching 3.2 km and passing by famous landmarks such as the Esplanade, the old Supreme Court and City Hall, the City March-pass aims to bring the parade experience to more Singaporeans.

This idea was sparked when this year's committee saw how last year's Guard-of-Honour contingent marched from Suntec City to the floating platform, shared COL Chee.

"We saw how every soldier held their head up high, proud to showcase themselves in front of the audience, so we thought of bringing this to all participants," he said.

The contingents this year are formed by about 2,000 participants and they will be led by Parade Commander Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Yeong Chee Meng.

In commemoration of 25 years of Total Defence, parade participants come from all walks of life and represent the five pillars of Total Defence, and will march as one united people.

Considering this as a highlight of his military career, LTC Yeong told cyberpioneer how he seized every moment he had to practise for his NDP role, with him rehearsing even at home.

"I practise with my daughter as well, who mirrors my commands and gives me feedback which I find very useful," he said.

On the feedback he has received from her so far, he said with pride: "My daughter tells me, 'Daddy, good job, I'm proud of you!'"

Traditional crowd-pleasers such as the fly-pass of the State Flag and aerial displays by the Republic of Singapore Air Force will also be featured in this year's parade, with more visual impact promised.

The bomb burst, a fanning-out of three F-16 aircraft, will be performed with the aircraft's after-burners turned on for the first time in the parade. With the parade starting slightly later this year, the audience will be able to see the blue rings around the flames from the aircraft tail cones.

The F-16s will also fly lower and closer to the spectators at the seating gallery, enhancing their sensory experience of the parade.