EXCITING DISPLAY OF DEFENCE AT NDP 07

When news to recruit gunners for a performance at National Day Parade (NDP) 2007 filtered down to the 21st Battalion, Singapore Artillery (21 SA), Third Sergeant (3SG) Pang Li Ming volunteered for it almost immediately.

As part of a two-man crew operating the PRIMUS self-propelled howitzer, 3SG Pang is one of the 530 personnel who will be involved in a Dynamic Defence Display (3D) at NDP this year.

These personnel come from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

Explaining to cyberpioneer why he volunteered to be part of NDP, 3SG Pang said: "How often can you say that you were part of NDP?

"So I thought, why don't I make my two years of National Service (NS) a bit more meaningful?"

The PRIMUS will be involved in the third segment of 3D - "Mobile Parade" - where spectators can witness a parade of various land assets from SAF, SPF and SCDF.

3SG Pang will be executing the gun salute in which the barrel of the PRIMUS will be raised and traverse from left to right before lowering to the original level.

"Initially, during the first few rehearsals, there were a few hiccups and we had to troubleshoot the computer system," said the gunnery specialist.

"This has never happened during any of our outfield exercises though. After a few more rounds of practice, we have perfected it now and there have been no problems since."

The 3D segment is a brand new concept that pays tribute to Singaporeans for their contribution to NS in the last 40 years.

It comprises four acts that will showcase air, land and sea assets that will capture spectators' attention with the fast-paced action and advanced equipment, and the accompanying high-tempo music and pyrotechnics.

"Close Encounter" will start soon after the completion of the parade and the rappelling of Commandos down the Benjamin Sheares Bridge will kick-start the first segment.

A display of fast pick-up of naval divers, who will be dispatched off a Chinook helicopter, by two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) can be seen in "Water Extravaganza" before spectators get wowed in "Mobile Parade".

The nine-minute long performance will come to an exciting "Finale" with a masterful display by two Apache attack helicopters executing a sequence of combat manoeuvres.

Said Chairman 3D, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Vincent Yap: "It's a brand new NDP and there were no templates or references to base the 3D segment on.

"So we had to make sure there were no safety concerns arising from the display, and tight coordination between the various agencies is essential."