SINGAPORE : A record number of aircraft will be seen at
Singapore's birthday celebrations on National Day.
They will not only fly over the Padang but all across the island
including the heartlands and the Carnival at Marina.
The flypast has always been a crowd favourite.
However, this time round, the A4 Skyhawks will be replaced by
RSAF's latest fleet of aircraft - the twin-seater F16 fighter
jet.
It is able to fly at twice the speed of sound.
It is used mainly to protect Singapore skies but five of these
planes will be making their debut at this year's Parade.
Led by Lieutenant Colonel Leong Choong Yew, the bomb burst they are
performing lasts only 25 seconds, but it has taken the pilots three
months of hard work.
Lt Col Leong Choong Yew, Commanding Officer, 145 Squadron, said:
"We have 3 levels of training. The first one is squadron internal
training whereby we perfect our timing and coordination. Second
level of training is the internal rehearsal within the RSAF whereby
other units of the RSAF will come together and train. The third
level is the combined rehearsal whereby the RSAF as well as the
other supporting ground unit will be training together to perfect
the timing and the coordination."
The youngest of the team, 27-year-old Captain Oon Kok Choon, has
taken part in the parade before.
But it will be his first time manoeuvring the F16 for the bomb
burst aerial display.
Captain Oon, Pilot, 145 Squadron, said: "In terms of mission
planning there is certainly a lot more things to do. Last year it
was a simple level straight through. This year we have 2 more
aircraft than last year that makes it 5."
And some first-timers are also joining the veterans in the
Parade.
"Every practice makes a difference to me because my sister is
performing together with me so we look out for each other and take
care of each other and when she's doing well, it motivates me to do
well too," said Nursyamira Mazlan, who will be at the NDP for the
first time.
"Most of the time I take part at the Stadium and this time I feel
very proud to come back to the Padang," said Jalaludin Peer
Mohamed, a veteran.
And on the ground, the parade commander has been taking herbal
soups and honey to keep his voice in tip-top condition for the big
day.
Lt Col Choon Soon Onn, Parade Commander, NDP 2005, said: "At any
opportunity when nobody is around like in my car or sometimes in my
house, where I can shut all the windows, I actually practice
shouting out the orders just to get used to the pronunciation and
to make sure I get my diction correct."
More than 2,200 participants who are taking part in the Parade's
ceremonial showpiece will enter the Padang from different
directions.
The aim is to make the show more fluid and dynamic. - CNA /ch
The F-5, F-16, CH-47, KC-135 will take part