NSMEN TO BE SALUTED AT NDP

For about 10 minutes on 9 Aug, more than 2,000 participants will come together to pay tribute to the 900,000 soldiers who have served in National Service (NS) since its inception in 1967 in a segment titled Salute to NS45 (45 years of NS).

Taking place on land and sea and in the air, "the intention is to pay tribute to Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) past and present, as well as their families, friends, employers, and those who have contributed to NS," said Colonel (COL) Roland Ng, Chairman of the Parade and Ceremony committee.

"What we are doing is to symbolise saying 'thank you' to our National Servicemen. We hope that it will create a memorable and emotional moment for all those witnessing it," he added.

Commencing after the Feu-De-Joie (Fire of Joy), a celebratory rifle salute performed by the Guard-of-Honour contingents, the Salute will begin with the Advance-in-Review-Order (ARO) parade drill. This drill is usually conducted during military parades to accord the highest compliments to a reviewing officer and will be performed at the National Day Parade (NDP) for the first time this year. At the command of the Parade Commander, all 32 marching contingents will march 10 steps forward in unison before delivering a salute.

Four Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) from the Republic of Singapore Navy and two Interceptor crafts of the Police Coast Guard will then enter at a speed of about 40 knots onto the waters of Marina Bay.

Working together to execute high-speed manoeuvres that will thrill those enjoying the parade from the Marina Bay area, the RHIBs will come to an abrupt stop in a row facing the spectators on both sides of the Marina Bay Floating Platform, generating waves of about 50cm-high. The dip of the RHIBs' bows will simulate a salute.

Nine Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft, comprising six F-16D BLK52+s and three F-15SGs, will then wow crowds with three combat displays, before two F-15SGs conclude the air portion of the Salute with a 60-degree ascent into the sky.

The key challenges of the NS45 Salute are synchronisation and precision, said COL Ng.

"The land, sea, and air salute will be activated in sequence, so the greatest challenge is to do each part well and to link them up so they are seen as a seamless whole," said COL Ng, who said that these challenges were overcome through teamwork.

Full-time national serviceman (NSF) Corporal (CPL) Ahmed Bashir bin Omar, who is participating in the ARO, explained how his team worked around the challenges of synchronising their steps. He said: "We communicate among ourselves to count the number of steps together and stop together as a contingent."

While this is happening on the platform, the pilots are also working closely with their sea counterparts to execute their air and sea segments with precision.

First-time NDP participant Captain (CPT) Alvin Leow, who will be flying an F-15SG as part of the air segment, said: "It's the first time we are doing all four manoeuvres over the area (at NDP)... To overcome the difficulties, the pilots were identified early (and) training was done in the simulators before bringing the show to the area."

The 29-year-old added: "We also have integrated rehearsals (training together with the naval platforms) to familiarise the pilots and the Weapons Systems Officer on the manoeuvres."

The Majulah Moment, introduced at NDP 2011, will return to this year's parade. While the national anthem is playing, a group of NSmen will hand the state flag to NSFs and students from the uniformed groups such as the National Cadet Corps (NCC), symbolising the passing on of the commitment to ensure Singapore's safety and security from one generation to the next.

Commercial pilot Major (MAJ) (NS) Jeffrey Ang, one of the NSmen participating in the segment, will be handing the state flag to his son, 16-year-old 1st Sergeant (1SG) (NCC) Delvin Ang.

"It's very significant and symbolic to us... this participation will further impress upon my son the importance of NS, and to continue the role and responsibility just like any Singaporean."