FLYING HIGH FOR SG60

From the thunderous roar of jets crisscrossing the skies to the whirr of helicopters flying the State Flag around the island, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) promises a soaring tribute this year to celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday.  

Parade viewers will be in for a treat with segments like a brand-new integrated Mobile Column involving both ground assets and aerial flypasts, and an enhanced Salute to the Nation bomb burst. 

The party continues on 10 Aug with a fighter jet flypast around the heartlands. 

Yet behind the awe-inspiring aerial displays and manoeuvres for SG60 lie months of rigorous preparations, coordination and dedication from a committed team.  

Bringing the skies to life 

Audiences at the Padang will be treated to an aerial performance like no other.  

In addition to an enhanced Salute to the Nation bomb burst executed by six F-15SG and four F-16 fighter planes, the RSAF will showcase two special aerial displays in celebration of SG60.  

The first will see six F-15SGs performing an SG60 tribute in a delta formation, with the two outer jets turning outwards before transiting into full afterburner climbs, while the remaining four F-15SGs continue to fly through in a diamond formation.  

This symbolises continued peace and prosperity for the nation.  

The four trailing F-16s will then execute a diamond cross turn, with the left and right wingmen breaking to the left and right respectively, followed by the lead aircraft breaking to the left and the final aircraft breaking to the right. 

Fans of the Fly Our Flag and Fighter Island Flypast are not forgotten. 

On 9 Aug from 5.30pm to 6.20pm, two CH-47 Heavy Lift Helicopters carrying the State Flag – each escorted by two Apache helicopters – will make their way through the heartlands via two routes. 

The next day, four F-16s will fly in diamond formation through the heartlands from 6pm to 6.30pm to bring the celebrations closer to every Singaporean.

They’re giving their all 

At the heart of the displays are the aircrew, whose months of intensive training will culminate in just minutes of breathtaking performance.  

Fighter pilot Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Muhammad Iskandar, 37, is a familiar face at NDP – he flew at SG50 in 2015 and in 2021 as well.  

This time, the Commanding Officer of 142 Squadron (SQN) has an important responsibility on his shoulders: as the lead F-15SG pilot, he sees to the team’s safety and precision. 

For example, as the team is flying over the heartlands and the CBD (Central Business District), they must take into account various possible contingencies to keep the population safe.  

LTC Iskandar also ensures the “formation arrives over the heartlands the second that it’s supposed to be there, (and) that we are on time, on target”. 

For first-time NDP participant Captain (CPT) Rachel Wong, 27, trust in one another is what makes a successful aerial display. 

“When I’m flying in formation, my flight mate is all I see – when I make a turn, I don’t see the ground; I see the plane (next to me). So trust is a big factor,” said the F-16 fighter pilot from 143 SQN. 

Orchestrating the flight profiles of all 26 aircraft to ensure visual impact while maintaining flight safety requires meticulous attention to detail, said ME6 Patrick Wong.  

The 54-year-old is Deputy Chairman Air Participation Committee and Flying Display Marshal.  

He explained: “Given the number of aircraft we are putting up this year, and the tight airspace we have over Singapore…we have to run through many iterations (of the plans) with the flight leads, using our experience and skillsets (to ensure that) the plans put together are safe.”   

Special Mobile Column combining land & air 

For the first time at NDP, the Mobile Column on the Padang grounds will integrate an aerial flypast comprising 22 aircraft in four formations. 

The first is the Multi Axis Flypast, where six F-15SG jets will approach the Padang from opposite directions and fly past each other before going into full afterburner climbs. 

This is a manoeuvre that tests a fighter pilot’s technical skill and mental agility as each pilot is flying in from a different direction, said LTC Iskandar.  

“This means it's a lot more challenging to meet at the same point over the Padang and make sure that all six aircraft cross exactly in the middle of the path at exactly the same time.” 

The second is the Jet formation Flypast, which involves a A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, four F-16 fighters and a G550-Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft. 

The third is the Helicopter Formation Flypast, with a S-70B Seahawk, two AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters, two H225M Medium Lift Helicopters and a CH-47 Heavy Lift Helicopter. 

The fourth is the Transport Formation Flypast, with two C-130 Hercules aircraft and two Fokker-50 transport aircraft. These aircraft showcase the assets used in the RSAF’s humanitarian assistance and peace support operations.  

These flypast formations will be integrated with different land vehicles – which include the RSAF’s ground-based air defence systems – participating in the Mobile Column as it drives past the Padang. 

3rd Warrant Officer (3WO) (NS) Soh Dai Kai is delighted to be a part of the Helicopter Formation Flypast and fly on board the CH-47 as an aircrew specialist.  

The 36-year-old operations manager at Sentosa Golf Club used to serve as Flight Lead in 126 SQN, and his love for the RSAF remains strong after all these years.  

“Even before I left (the service), I already had a mindset to come back and support the unit – not just because it’s SG60! Even in years to come, I will still come back to support (the unit).” 

For the love of home 

How do these airmen and women feel about putting up stunning aerial displays and bringing citizens together to celebrate their love of Singapore? 

3rd Sergeant (3SG) Nicholas James Rathband is grateful for an experience few Full-time National Servicemen get to have.  

As an Air Operations Specialist (Tower Information Coordinator) from 207 SQN, he liaises with multiple agencies to ensure the safe launch and recovery of aircraft. 

“I think it’s the perfect way to end my NS,” said the 19-year-old, who is participating in NDP for the first time.  

“It’s a really, really rewarding experience and I don’t take it lightly because I know how rare it is for someone as young as me (to participate in NDP).” 

CPT Wong sees her participation as a chance to “pay it forward and inspire a new generation (of aviators).” 

As for LTC Iskandar, flying at NDP carries an immense sense of pride: “It’s about seeing how we have progressed as a country, how we have become stronger, how we have become more united over time over different periods of NDP.”