WELCOME TO AOH@OUR CITY!

The Army Open House (AOH) began welcoming public visitors as Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the opening of AOH@Our City in the morning of 26 May.

"Our Army has come a long way since Singapore's independence in 1965 and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) started with two Infantry battalions. We have put our SAF on display and I'd like you to see for yourself how far the SAF has come," said Dr Ng.

Organisers are expecting a bumper crowd of 180,000 to visit the centrally located AOH over its entire five-day run at the area surrounding the F1 Pit Building.

After viewing the first Dynamic Defence Demonstration (D3) show of the day, Dr Ng took the opportunity to tour the showcase dedicated to 45 years of National Service (NS) as well as exhibits from the Productivity and Innovation in Daily Effort movement. At the NS45 showcase, visitors will be able to see and hear stories of NS through the ages, as well as view the equipment used by successive NS generations.

The exciting D3 show certainly made an impact on visitors."I'm very impressed with the Army, it's an eye-opener and very good show," said Ms Loh Yi Xiu, an 18 year-old student who was visiting the AOH with her friend Ms Nur Fitri Binte Md Jinna. "I think I want to join the Army!" said Ms Nur Fitri after the show.

It was a family day outing for many, and one father-and-son pair enjoying themselves were Mr T. Subramaniam and his six-year-old son S. Pranav.

"I specially brought him here to see the Army and share my NS experience with him. The Army has improved; just look at the huge Leopard 2A4 tanks!" said Mr Subramaniam, 47, who works for the public transport company SMRT.

"We'll stay for as long as my son can take the heat," he added with a laugh.

Though there was a spot of rain in the morning, sunshine soon returned to AOH@Our City. If you're planning to make a visit, remember to slather on the sunscreen and have a pair of shades handy!

Visitors who made the trip down for all the Army hardware and technology on display were not disappointed. "I'm a military geek who just wants to see new technology and the Army has certainly leaped ahead in terms of equipment and technology!" said Mr Jordan Chee, a 38 year-old sales executive who was with his family of six.

"Our son is really enjoying AOH. When the Red Lions landed, he was cheering really loudly!" added Mrs Jordan Chee, who was pleasantly surprised when Dr Ng spoke to them during his tour of AOH@Our City.

Also present at the opening were Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong, the SAF Service Chiefs, as well as senior SAF officers and staff.

Themed Celebrating 45 years of National Service: From Fathers to Sons, this year's AOH is being held in the heart of the city for the first time, and will be open from 9am to 8pm daily over the weekend of 26 and 27 May. For more information on things to do at AOH@Our City, visit the official site at https://www.mindef.gov.sg/aoh12.