Media Coverage
Looks like there is much for Singaporeans to look forward to for this year’s National Day Parade!!!
National Day is not just a time we celebrate the birthday of our nation together, it is also when we are reminded of our country’s capability in terms of military readiness, preparedness and unity. Two of the segments I always look forward to every year are the Parade & Ceremony (P&C) and Dynamic Defence Display (D3) segments. The P&C segment brings together Singaporeans from all walks of life, from both the uniformed and civilian sectors, in a demonstration of will and commitment to secure and defend our home. The D3 segment, put together by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Home Team, underscores Singapore’s commitment and ability to defend itself against a spectrum of security threats. I always feel so proud of our nation when I see how united and committed the people are to building a safe and secure home for us all.
P&C SEGMENT
In conjunction with NS50 (50 years of National Service) this year, the P&C segment, involving about 2,000 participants from 31 marching contingents, will pay special tribute to national servicemen in recognition of their contributions as well as to their families and employers for their steadfast support for NS. You can expect to see an NS50 tribute video, a dynamic transformation by the Youth Uniformed Group contingents to form the words “NS50”, and a Salute from the Nation where the marching contingents will salute our national servicemen, their families and employers, with spectators at the parade invited to stand to join in the salute in unison. I think this would be such a meaningful segment because majority of our men have gone through National Service and as they think back about the two years of their lives spent in National Service, it’s bound to bring back fond memories.
There are also many ‘firsts’ we can expect from this year’s NDP! The signature bomb burst during the P&C segment will be performed by an all Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15SG fighter aircraft line-up, with two of the five F-15SGs flown by NSmen pilots. Singaporeans will also enjoy the largest military tattoo performance in NDP history comprising the Combined Band, the Silent Precision Drill Squad and for the first time, bagpipers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) Women Police Pipes and Drums! Of course, the traditional celebratory elements such as the 21-Gun Presidential Gun Salute on the M3G military raft (my favourite part, definitely!), the Feu-deJoie, as well as the State Flag Flypast flown by an RSAF Chinook helicopter escorted by two AH-64D Apache helicopters, will be part of the programme this year.
D3 SEGMENT
After a two-year break, the D3 segment will return this year with a two-part showcase, with enhanced pyrotechnics! The first part underscores the role of the SAF as the guarantor of Singapore's sovereignty and independence. Singaporeans will witness an array of technologically-advanced assets from the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Navy, and the RSAF – and the men and women who operate them – in a synergistic display of military might. The second part showcases Singapore’s whole-of-government and community approach in tackling security threats through a multi-agency counter-terrorism display shown for the first time in an NDP D3. It depicts how cyber security agencies deal with cyber-attacks, and how the SAF and the Home Team overcome multiple terrorist threats through swift and seamless coordination. It also emphasises the notion of community trust and vigilance for all Singaporeans to do their part in keeping our nation safe and emerge stronger in times of adversity.
Involving over 500 participants, the D3 segment will feature more than 50 assets – the largest number in the history of NDP D3 – with the SAF’s Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle, Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle and Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; the SPF’s Tactical Response Motorcycle and Tactical Response Vehicle; and the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s Fire-Medical Vehicle and Rapid Response Fire Vessel making their appearances in NDP D3 for the first time. My girls would be so excited to see such vehicles in action, I’m sure! It’s not everyday we get to witness the capabilities and display of our armed forces in such a manner!
CELEBRATE TOGETHER AS A NATION!
Join in the celebratory mood for this year’s NDP by tagging your photos, well-wishes, reflections or stories on your personal social media platforms and/or NDP social platforms such as Facebook (www.facebook.com/ndpeeps), Instagram (@ndpeeps_2017) and Twitter(@NDPeeps), with the following hashtags: #OneNationTogether, #NDP2017, #NDP17, #SG52. For information on NDP 2017, visit www.ndp.org.sg or download the official NDPeeps mobile app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Let’s have fun celebrating our nation’s birthday together this year! =D
Disclosure: Photos used in this post are official photos released by NDP 2017 Committee during media event.
