Free-falling naval divers, wingsuit-wearing Red Lions wow crowds at NDP
Spectators looking up at the sky during an aerial display at the National Day Parade 2018 celebrations.
SINGAPORE — In a first, the nation's birthday bash saw naval combat divers leaping off a helicopter mid-air, while the Red Lions parachutists — donning wingsuits for the first time — glided from dizzying heights, as spectators relished this year's novel programme elements.
The 25,000-strong crowd also had its own role in this year's parade, holding up placards to form the message "We Love Singapore" visible from above.
On one side of the placards, they could pen or draw their own individual characteristics. "We are Singapore" was emblazoned on the other side.
This year's event — which featured the largest group of participants in the parade and ceremony segment at the floating platform, numbering more than 2,600 — was also the first for President Halimah Yacob since she took office last September.
To mark the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) 50th anniversary, fighter aircraft executed heart-stopping manoeuvres, including a vertical climb into the skies above Marina Bay.
Spectators who spoke to TODAY lauded the new elements of this year's show.
Madam Masni Mohd Zen, 43, felt the act of holding up placards was a show of "unity", as people from many walks of life came together to take part in the challenge.
She hoped the interactive element would stay in future shows to foster "togetherness".
Mdm Masni also enjoyed seeing the Red Lions in the flesh. "It's an indescribable... feeling, (seeing them) for real," said the civil servant.
For Primary 6 student Nathan Ang, 12, the RSAF's aerial display was "more entertaining" than aerial flypasts of previous years. He said there were "more flight patterns" and a greater variety of aircraft.
"It kept us on our toes and surprised us," he said.
Amid heavy security presence, spectators began flowing into the venue as early as mid-afternoon.
Rousing the crowd as the clock ticked down to the parade, the emcees got the spectators on their feet to form a "Marina wave" which rippled across the stands, bathing the floating platform in a sea of red.
Heads were soon trained skywards as eight combat divers from the Naval Diving Unit made their debut. Appearing as specks in the sky, they leapt from a Super Puma helicopter about 1,520m high for a freefall jump, plopping gracefully into the waters around the platform.
The loudest cheers were reserved for crowd favourites the Red Lions. Sporting wingsuits for the first time at a parade, the 10-man team jumped from above Sentosa island about 3,800m above ground — the highest ever for a parade.
As dusk fell, two F-16C fighter jets from the RSAF sketched a heart shape through the sky with smoke trails.
Shortly after, an F-15SG aircraft performed a knife-edge vertical climb. Banking right suddenly before shooting vertically into the sky, the visual spectacle drew gasps and applause from the crowd.
The fighter jets were among a record 26 RSAF aircraft which cruised the skies over Marina Bay this year.
This year's line-up of local vocalists included jazz singer Joanna Dong, who enthralled the crowd with her rendition of My Island Home, the parade's 2006 theme song.
Thousands of spectators who lined Marina Bay for a slice of the action were also served up a visual treat. Eighteen illuminated boats and floats — some modelled after iconic places, such as the dragon playground in Toa Payoh — drifted across the bay, their lights shimmering in the waters.
The parade then edged to its highly anticipated finale, as fireworks painted the sky in hues of orange, green and red.
Retired administrative staff member, Mrs Eng Soi Hue, 64, said she enjoyed "the atmosphere, the people and especially the fireworks".
SECURITY CHECKS STRINGENT BUT SMOOTH
Most of the spectators interviewed by TODAY before the parade said the security checks were stringent but generally smooth.
To beef up security for the parade, the authorities designated the area around Marina Bay as a "special event area" on Thursday (Aug 9).
There were heightened security measures, including security checks and screenings for all persons and vehicles within a designated zone. Unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones, were also barred from the area without a valid permit.
TODAY counted at least 12 metal detectors at the entrance near Marina Square, where the queues cleared quickly.
Administrator Joel Neo, 30, said he spent less than five minutes undergoing checks.
Mr Norman Cantrell, 35, said the wait was brief but the checks were "quite thorough". The driver was asked to discard his lighter. He appreciated that this was important for security.
At the Esplanade entrance, the queues were longer, with TODAY observing fewer metal detectors and lanes for security checks.
Madam Ng Guat Kim, 65, said she spent half an hour in the queue, but the housewife said "it was OK because we want to watch the parade".
