SAF to display never-before-seen equipment to mark Jubilee
The public will get to board the navy’s largest vessel, a Landing Ship Tank. Photo: DSTA
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), which started out with only two infantry regiments commanded by British officers and made up of mostly non-Singaporeans, will kick off year-long celebrations marking its 50th year of formation with an exhibition showcasing the combined assets of the army, navy and air force.
For four days starting Feb 12, the public can look forward to never-before-seen exhibits at the showcase which will be held at Vivo City, such as a replica of a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) submarine tower, as well as get a chance to board the navy’s largest vessel, a Landing Ship Tank (LST). Aviation enthusiasts can also get up close with the Super Puma helicopter, while a “Name our Ships” competition will be held for the RSN’s newest Littoral Mission vessels.
Other highlights include a weapon ceremony featuring newly-minted recruits receiving their rifles for the first time on board the LST.
Speaking on Wednesday, Colonel Roland Ng, co-secretariat of the SAF50 celebrations, said this year’s theme, Our SAF: Giving Strength to Our Nation, would be a “wonderful opportunity to inspire current and future generations to continue to support (the) building (of) a stronger SAF”.
To that end, specially designed “thank you” cards will be available at the VivoCity exhibition and rolled out islandwide from March for the public to pen their appreciation for service personnel.
Other activities lined up for the SAF’s celebrations this year include an exhibition that will make its way across the heartlands, with its first stop at the Singapore Discovery Centre before moving on to public libraries in major neighbourhoods such as Tampines, Jurong and Ang Mo Kio.
In a move to involve more Singaporeans, women and youth will be encouraged to don camouflage-patterned clothing on SAF Day, which falls on July 1.
A series of events will also be held to honour past and present SAF personnel, including the launch of a commemorative book and an Open House at the Istana for SAF servicemen and their families.
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Frank Singam, a pioneer of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), said: “It gives me great pleasure to know I have helped in the progress (and) development of the milestones, planting the seeds for the SAF in the early years.”
The retired colonel joined the force in 1969 and was a member of the first batch of Black Knights — the RSAF’s official aerobatics team.
Through this year’s celebrations, organisers hope to reach out to mothers who went through the experience of sending their sons for National Service, such as Madam Teo Ker Tee.
The 81-year-old grandmother recalled how anxious she was when she sent her youngest son off in 1980. She has since gone through the cycle six more times with her grandsons.
