NDP IN 3D

Some might say: "National Day Parade (NDP) almost the same every year what!" But this year's NDP was definitely different. A brand new venue and a brand new segment that wowed all of you who watched our nation's birthday celebrations. PIONEER brings you the Dynamic Defence Display (3D) once again.

The 3D segment was included to commemorate 40 years of National Service and showcased two bastions of Total Defence - Military Defence and Civil Defence.

Held just after the parade segment and lasting about nine minutes, 3D was a fast-paced and exciting display of land, sea and air assets that Singapore has.

Coupled with pyrotechnics, sound effects, music and voice-overs, 3D kept the spectators at the edge of their seats and their camera flashes going off almost continuously.

Act 1: Close Encounters

Soon after the 40 Commandos rappelled down the bridge, there was a loud boom followed by billows of smoke.

Third-generation SAF soldiers suited with the Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS) stormed down the seating gallery to the cheers of the spectators. 2SG Muhammad Hafiz Bin Yaakob was one of them.

"I was really quite excited to take part in NDP. And proud too!" said the Full-time National Service Company Sergeant Major (CSM) from 3 SIR. "The atmosphere at the seating gallery was really different."

He added, with a laugh: "The children during the two NE shows were really energetic. They were blocking our paths and we had to try our best to avoid them without falling over."

The soldiers, together with the Special Operations Command police officers, then guarded the front entrances of the seating gallery at the second explosion.

At the same time, a Chinook CH-47 helicopter despatched divers from the Naval Diving Unit (NDU) into the waters beneath.

With the helicopter hovering just 10 feet above water, spectators around the bay area experienced a 'water spray' generated by the Chinook's powerful propellers.

Flying the Chinook was MAJ Lionel Lye from 127 SQN. The pilot, who has participated in four previous NDPs, felt the challenge for him this time was assimilating to this new venue.

He explained: "This area was totally new to us. So whatever flight data we had previously no longer held."

Preparation for this part of 3D started in early February as the team had to conduct terrain studies, ground reconnaissance and aerial plotting.
On being part of the 3D segment, MAJ Lye said: "This was an excellent opportunity for SAF to showcase our integration of the three Services and aspects of our third-generation network.

"Plus, we had a chance to integrate, cooperate and work with other agencies like Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)."

Act 2: Water Extravaganza

After the divers were despatched into the water, two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) emerged at high speed to pick them out of the water.

Simultaneously, two Fast Intercept Craft appeared from behind a water explosion to perform high-speed manoeuvres around the bay area, while another two other RHIBs performed near the floating platform.

2WO Sawinder Kumar Shory, who was the patrol officer of the craft, told PIONEER that what the divers and craft operators did during this segment was the same as what they did during normal training.

"The challenge was the space limitation, but with the experience of the coxswain and operators, it wasn't much of a problem," he said.

"The boys were also excited and proud to be part of this event, which was held at Marina Bay for the first time."

He acknowledged that in order to be part of NDP, many Saturdays had to be sacrificed for rehearsals.

"But all our family members understand that this is for NDP and they've given us their support, which is very important."

Joining the Republic of Singapore Navy personnel in this segment were two Police Coast Guard patrol boats which executed circling manoeuvres to simulate entrapment of sea criminals during operations.

Act 3: Mobile Parade

The third segment of 3D brought everyone's attention back to the seating gallery, where land assets from the SAF, SPF and SCDF were showcased, to the delight of the spectators.

Leading the parade for the police were two Tactical Assault Vehicles and an Armour Personnel Carrier, while the SCDF showcased two Rhinos and a Tracked Fire Vehicle.

To allow the spectators to have a better understanding of what these vehicles were for, personnel came out from each vehicle and performed operational drills as the vehicles moved along the promenade.

Together with a PRIMUS Self-Propelled Howitzer, two BIONIX II Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) formed the SAF component of this segment.

Act 4: Finale

To bring 3D to an exciting close before transiting into the Show segment, the spectators were treated to an exciting display of combat manoeuvres by two Apache attack helicopters.

The helicopters flew into the bay area at high speeds while maintaining a distance of 100 metres above the ground, before executing a synchronised High Yo-Yo,which had the aircraft turning rapidly to engage a target it had just flown over.

As a climax, the two Apache helicopters saluted the nation before executing a rapid acceleration from their hovering position as they left the bay.

This new segment was well-received by the spectators, something that the organising committee was proud of.

Chairman 3D, LTC Vincent Yap said it best: "We hope that 3D has provided Singaporeans with something new yet thrilling, especially with such a refreshingly new display of Total Defence in action."

Exclusive shots from PIONEER at NDP 2007 - from all angles.