The Chinook helicopter has been in Singapore since 1988 but it
was only recently that it has gained a higher profile for its role
in Singapore's tsunami humanitarian relief effort.
It will now take centre-stage at this year's National Day
celebrations: the Chinook will fly the national flag across the
Padang as the national anthem is played.
Beyond the ceremonial role, the Chinooks are essentially the
workhorse and pride of the air force.
When Meulaboh was physically cut off from the rest of Aceh, the
Chinooks provided the only life-line to the survivors.
Food and relief supplies were airlifted from Medan, and distributed
on the ground.
But for the National Day Parade, the Chinook will airlift a
different kind of load.
Rain or shine, it would have to pick up the entire flag set-up,
which is about 50 metres long with a total weight of 1,300
kilogrammes.
Three Chinooks - a main one for the fly-past, and two backups -
will first fly into Changi Air Base (East) from Sembawang Air
Base.
Then the twin-turbine, tandem-rotor transport aircraft will
manoeuvre into position to hook up the flag under its belly.
When everything is securely fastened, the chopper will take off and
hover as the flag is hoisted into position for the ground crew to
release the flag's cover.
When the flag is fully unfurled, the Chinook will head out to sea
and wait for the cue for a picture-perfect fly past.
Error - Is 1998 not 1988... Haiz, error again
