SAF CELEBRATES 60 YEARS WITH ROVING EXHIBITION

Enlistment can be a daunting experience – imagine if you were part of the pioneer batch entering National Service (NS) back in 1967! 

As Singapore’s very first Full-time National Serviceman (NSF), Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (Ret) Albel Singh has seen how the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was built from scratch over the years. 

The 76 year-old – who went on to join as a Regular and served for about 30 years before retiring in 1999 – was a guest at the launch of the SAF’s 60th Anniversary (SAF60) Commemorative Exhibition Showcase on 2 Apr. 

Looking back, LTC (Ret) Singh remembers when the SAF just started and Singaporean soldiers could only use equipment that the British had left behind – from their uniforms down to their weapons. 

“There was a lot of emphasis on building our soldiers and how we can level up. It was tough in the beginning – but it was a necessary beginning. I think we have progressed very fast in 60 years to get to where we are today,” he reflected.

Roving exhibition around S’pore

Launched at Singapore Discovery Centre on 2 Apr, the exhibition showcases the SAF’s transformation journey in the past six decades, and highlights the experiences of servicemen and women who have contributed to Singapore’s defence. 

There is also an interactive game, where players get to pledge their commitment to defence and win exclusive collectibles from a Gachapon machine.

The exhibition will be held concurrently from 2 to 30 Apr at the Singapore Discovery Centre, the Singapore Air Force Museum and the Singapore Navy Museum.

In the following months, it will be displayed at over various locations around Singapore. (Visit defencecollectivesg.com/saf60-sdc-2025 for the latest on exhibition dates and venues)

Stories of our servicemen & women

Another veteran there at the launch was 1st Warrant Officer (1WO) (Ret) Mohamed Haniffa Bin Jainul Abitheen. An aero engine mechanic with the Royal Air Force, he became a part of the fledgling Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) – then known as the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) – in 1969.

In those early days of the RSAF, 1WO (Ret) Haniffa recalls that they were all learning together and putting their best foot forward. 

“Engineering officers started going for training overseas and when they came back, a whole group of us – men and officers – built up the Air Force,” said the 78-year-old.  

“(This exhibit) serves to remind us that Singapore has a very strong, credible and reliable force.” 

He added: “The SAF today is different from the SAF when I left. This is the transformation that we must go through... We’re evolving all the time, and we cannot stop.”

Featured in the SAF60 exhibition is a story about three siblings – each from a different Service. You might say that they are pretty… Khoo. 

Captain (CPT) Edwin Khoo, Major (MAJ) Janet Khoo and Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Edward Khoo serve in the Air Force, Navy and Army respectively. 

Maintaining strong family bonds isn’t always easy when you’re deployed overseas for work. For example, there was a time where their mother was hospitalised, and both MAJ Janet and CPT Edwin were away on overseas deployment. 

LTC Edward, the middle sibling, had to shoulder the weight of responsibility of caregiving between him and his wife. “Is it a challenge? Yes, to a certain extent. But it has also brought the family closer together. Apart from (relying on) each other, we have also found a family within the Service.” 

“It is the bond and the camaraderie that keeps us going the extra mile and doing our best,” he added. 

“It’s kind of awkward to see myself in the exhibition,” said youngest brother CPT Edwin. “But I’m also really proud! I think our parents are especially proud as well.” 

“I’m both proud and appreciative to be featured in the SAF60 exhibition. I’d like to share our story to my friends and the younger generation too,” said eldest sister MAJ Janet.

“All jobs are challenging, but I’ve found a purpose in the SAF. It’s fruitful, it’s fun and it’s exciting!”