National Day Parade 2015: Air Partcipation

Since I was a little girl, I have always enjoyed watching the National Day Parade (NDP) on the television with my family on the day Singapore celebrates her birthday. This year will be no different, except that we are going to be celebrating a huge milestone for the very first time ever, SG50! I am totally looking forward to NDP 2015 where we commemorate our nation’s achievements in the past 50 years. Although we are a small nation, I’m really proud that Singaporeans are united as one and have come a long way to achieve what we have today. Now, we shall look towards a bright future together!

This year’s Air Participation segment at the NDP will feature 50 aircraft – the largest number to participate in the NDP at the Padang – with the execution of unprecedented aerial manoeuvres. Proudly put up by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Singaporeans can anticipate a spectacular aerial display, showcasing elements of precision flying and aerial finesse.

“Five Stars” Tribute Aerial Flypast

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In remembrance of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the RSAF Black Knights will execute the “Five Stars” Tribute Aerial Flypast as part of the tribute segment in the Prologue of the NDP 2015 Show. It signifies Singapore’s ideals of democracy, peace, justice and equality.

State Flag flypast

The traditional flypast of the State Flag across the Padang will take place during the singing of the National Anthem. It will be staged by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, escorted by two AH-64D Apache helicopters. During this solemn and dignified moment, the Flypast Marshall will play a key role in coordinating ground and aerial activities to ensure the smooth execution of the State Flag flypast.

Salute-to-Nation

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As part of the RSAF’s Salute-to-Nation, Singaporeans will get to witness the unprecedented “50” formation, comprising 20 F-16s.

Additionally, Knights will perform an aerial bomb-burst where the F-16s execute a fan-out manoeuver to round off a magnificent Salute-to-Nation.

Aerial Flypast

This year’s aerial flypast segment will feature the following elements respectively:

  • A combined helicopter formation, led by two S-70B naval helicopters and featuring two AS-332 Super Pumas, two AH-64D Apaches and two Chinooks, will kick-start the flypast with an “Arrowhead” formation.
  • A C-130 transport aircraft and two Fokker 50 (FK-50) Maritime Patrol aircraft executes the “VIC” formation. This will be followed by a KC-135 tanker aircraft and a G550-Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, escorted by four F-5 fighter aircraft flying in close formation.
  • Thereafter, the Black Knights will put up a high-octane performance that will excite spectators at the Padang and around the Marina Bay area. A formation of four Black Knights will perform the “Criss Cross” manoeuver with smoke trails, followed by two Black Knights executing a near-vertical climb.
  • A solo F-15SG fighter aircraft executes a combat turn over the Padang, showcasing the aircraft’s precision and agility. The F-15SG will culminate its performance with a dazzling near-vertical climb with afterburners.
  • For the finale, three F-15SGs will execute a ”Flat Burst” manoeuver as they make their exit, concluding the aerial display on a high note.
  • Doesn’t the air participation segment at this year’s NDP sound promising already? Let us all look forward to the NDP on 9th August! 🙂

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