Fact Sheet: SAF50 Activities

SAF50@VIVO

The SAF50@Vivo marks the start of the year-long SAF50 celebrations and commemoration. The three Services of the SAF (Army, Navy and Air Force) will come together to display their military assets and capabilities at SAF50@Vivo from 12 to 15 February 2015. There will also be an immersive exhibition specially curated to honour those who have contributed towards the defence of our nation and its sovereignty over the last 50 years. Members of the public will get a chance to try their hands at simulators and view military hardware on static display.

From 16 January 2015, members of the public can also bid for exclusive opportunities through the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/singaporenavy) to board the Landing Ship Tank (LST) - the largest vessel in the RSN. The RSN will be running a "Name our Ships" contest for the new Littoral Mission Vessels. The contest, which will be opened to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents will be launched on 12 February 2015 and will run till 15 March 2015.

To commemorate Total Defence Day on 15 February 2015, the SAF Weapons Presentation Ceremony will be held in conjunction with SAF50@Vivo, on board the RSN's LST. In addition, the N.E.mation! 9 Awards Ceremony will be held on the same day. Other activities available to the public during the four days of SAF50@Vivo include a Tri-Service photo booth, SAF50 related merchant discounts, limited edition SAF50 souvenir giveaways, as well as special performances and activities.

A Year-Long Commemoration and Celebration

SAF50 Roving Exhibition

Singaporeans can look forward to a host of exciting activities throughout the year, to celebrate and commemorate SAF50. These include the roving SAF50 Exhibition that will showcase the history of the SAF, as well as real-life stories of individuals and organisations that have played a part in Singapore’s defence. Collectively, the exhibition tells the SAF story over the last 50 years. The exhibition will travel to various public locations planned from February to September.

Online Engagement

The SAF also plans to harness a variety of new media platforms, to actively engage Singaporeans throughout the year. Besides online SAF50 stories and videos on the SAF50 portal and the cyberpioneer Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mindefsg), other highlights include an online variety show which will see celebrity-led teams of Singaporeans compete in Service-related challenges.

Paying Tribute to Servicemen

In line with SAF50's aim to pay tribute to everyone who has contributed towards defending the security and sovereignty of our nation, attractive "Thank You" cards will be produced to encourage Singaporeans to recognise and thank the servicemen in their lives. At SAF50@Vivo, members of the public can pen their messages on the cards and hand them to the SAF servicemen and women present whom they would like to thank.

Leading up to SAF Day on 1 July 2015, there will be various initiatives for the public to participate in to show their support for servicemen and women - both past and present - who have contributed to defence. Some of these include inviting women and youths to show their support by wearing camouflage-patterned clothing on SAF Day. Members of the public can also participate online by changing their Facebook profile picture to an SAF-related one in demonstration of their support for servicemen and women in their lives.

A series of events will be held to engage SAF personnel past and present. These include the SAF50 Parade on 1 July 2015; the SAF50 Dinner on 24 July 2015, where the SAF50 commemorative book will be launched; as well as SAF50@Istana on 26 July 2015 for SAF servicemen and their families. SAF50 celebrations will continue through to the National Day Parade 2015 - which will include a mobile column showcasing SAF hardware and capabilities - in appreciation of 50 years of peace and prosperity.

More Resources

• The SAF Marks 50 Years of Formation