SAF WELCOMES NEW CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCE

Major-General (MG) Ng Chee Meng took over from Lieutenant-General (LG) Neo Kian Hong as the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) new Chief of Defence Force (CDF) at a Change of Command Parade held at the SAFTI Military Institute on 27 Mar.

MG Ng, who was previously Chief of Air Force (CAF), joined the SAF in 1986 and has held key appointments including Head, Air Plans Department; Commander, Changi Air Base and Director of Joint Operations.

As CAF, he led the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) amid its journey to becoming a 3rd Generation force, and enabled it to achieve a high level of operational readiness. Under his leadership, the RSAF has also grown as a professional force with a strong safety record and a focus on people development. He also forged good relations within the RSAF and with air forces around the world.

In his first speech as CDF, MG Ng said: "We will strengthen our capabilities to ensure that our soldiers, sailors and airmen are equipped with the best systems for them to carry out their mission... We will also strengthen our tribe by growing our shared sense of pride and purpose.

"In so doing, we will strengthen our foundation for mission success for many years to come."

He also paid tribute to his predecessor LG Neo for the SAF's achievements when he was at the helm for the past three years, saying that "the SAF today is a more potent and integrated fighting force, bringing to bear cutting-edge networked capabilities".

LG Neo, who joined the SAF in 1983, is credited with enhancing the SAF's information and intelligence networks, with the formation of the Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) community last year as an example.

As CDF, he transformed how servicemen trained and learnt through the use of simulation technologies and online platforms. He also provided deep strategic thinking and clear operational directions for the SAF's deployments in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden.

He summed up that he felt "proud, confident and thankful" after 30 years of service. "I feel proud that our SAF continues to be operationally ready... Next, I feel confident about our future, given the transformation that our SAF has made to stay ahead... Third, I feel thankful for the opportunities to work with our people, and for our nation," he said.

With the handing over of his appointment, LG Neo will retire from the military and take on a senior position in the civil service.

The parade was witnessed by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, with Senior Minister of State for Defence Chan Chun Sing, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, SAF officers as well as the military diplomatic corps and other invited guests in attendance.