NEW CHIEF OF NAVY ASSUMES COMMAND

Rear-Admiral (RADM) Ng Chee Peng assumed his appointment as Chief of Navy at a change of command parade held at Changi Naval Base on 29 Mar.

He replaces RADM Chew Men Leong, who will be returning to the Administrative Service after 26 years with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Speaking at the parade, RADM Chew paid tribute to the men and women of RSN, saying that the Navy is where it is today because they "chose to give the best years of their lives to serving our nation".

He added: "We remember the distinguished accomplishments that the Navy has brought and remember those who have served and those who continue to serve."

RADM Chew also expressed his confidence in RADM Ng, adding that the latter is an experienced individual with a strong character.

"Given his attributes, capability and respect, he is more than equal to the task," said RADM Chew. "He will most certainly build a stronger and more capable team and bring the Navy to greater heights."

At the parade, RADM Chew reviewed a Guard of Honour contingent and five supporting contingents formed by the various Navy formations with a display of RSN ships in the background.

In his time with the RSN, RADM Chew played an instrumental role in operationalising key aspects of the RSN's 3rd Generation transformation. These include the formation of the Maritime Security Task Force and the establishment of the Information Fusion Centre at the Changi Command and Control Centre to enhance regional maritime information sharing and collaboration with other navies and maritime agencies.

RADM Chew also oversaw the development of RSN's capabilities to enhance her ability to protect Singapore's sea lines of communication. These include the successful integration of the Republic of Singapore Air Force's S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters with the RSN's Formidable-class frigates and the development of the Archer-class submarines.

Under RADM Chew's command, the RSN also made significant contributions to multinational counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, deploying two landing ships tank and a command team as part of Combined Task Force 151.

RADM Ng joined the SAF in December 1988 and his previous appointments include Commanding Officer, RSS Victory; Commanding Officer, Missile Corvette Squadron; Commander, First Flotilla; Director (Policy) in the Ministry of Defence; RSN Fleet Commander, Chief of Staff - Naval Staff and Chief of Staff - Joint Staff.

The parade was witnessed by Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong and attended by senior SAF officers and servicemen from the Navy.