RSAF to Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Aerial Displays over National Day weekend

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (centre) viewing the flypast at the RSAF50 @ Marina Barrage preview event earlier this morning.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen viewed a preview of aerial displays celebrating the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s 50th anniversary earlier this morning at Marina Barrage, along with Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Mervyn Tan and other invited guests. Following the preview, Dr Ng also interacted with past and present RSAF personnel and their families, who were invited to the anniversary celebrations. 

The aerial displays, which will be conducted over the waters off Marina South during the National Day weekend on 11 and 12 Aug 2018 and open to public, will feature 25 RSAF aircraft. The highlights of the show include an inaugural aerial display by two AH-64D helicopters, as well as a formation of a F-15SG decked in RSAF50 livery and two F-16Cs executing high speed aerial manoeuvres. This will also be the first time an unmanned aircraft - the Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - is participating in such a show. There will be two aerial display shows per day at 10am and 2.30pm, each lasting about 30 minutes.

Speaking after the preview, Chief of Air Force MG Tan said, "The RSAF50@Marina Barrage is part of a range of activities that the RSAF has organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our Air Force. We hope that Singaporeans have enjoyed events such as RSAF50@Singapore Airshow 18 and RSAF50@Heartlands. These events were designed to reach out and thank Singaporeans for their support for our Air Force through the years. Our RSAF team will put up an aerial display at Marina Barrage this weekend. We hope that Singaporeans will enjoy the show and continue to give their fullest support to our airmen and women who are committed to defend our home, above all."

Chairman of the Flying Display Committee Lieutenant-Colonel Nick Wong Wai Him also shared his thoughts, "The RSAF team has put in a lot of effort over the past months to deliver a show befitting of this milestone year for the RSAF, and to celebrate the event with our fellow Singaporeans. We are also proud to be with our RSAF pioneers who helped forge a professional and competent RSAF from humble beginnings. Our success today is built on their foresight and sacrifices, and we will continue to uphold the sacred mission of safeguarding Singapore's skies."

Also present at the preview event were members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence, beneficiaries from the President's Challenge, as well as past and present senior commanders from the SAF.

Dr Ng interacting with guests at the RSAF50@Marina Barrage preview event.

More Resources

Fact Sheet: The RSAF's Aerial Display at RSAF50@Marina Barrage

Fact Sheet: Getting to RSAF50@Marina Barrage