Army Open House 2017 (AOH17)

Introduction

AOH17 returns to the F1 Pit with the theme of "Army Ready, Soldier Strong". In addition to showcasing our Army's 3rd Gen equipment and capabilities, AOH17 will feature a suite of engaging and interactive activities. Visitors can expect to get up close and personal with over 20 types of Army platforms during the Dynamic Defence Display (D3) segment, Static Display and Battle Rides. There will also be a Soldier Strong challenge and Battlefield Zone to provide visitors with a hands-on and immersive experience.

Visitors can also look forward to an experiential exhibition and learn about the evolution of National Service (NS) through the past 50 years, as well as achievements of our national servicemen in defending and safeguarding Singapore through the NS50 Showcase.

AOH17@City (F1 Pit Building)

NS50 Showcase - Celebrating 50 Years of National Service (NS50) at AOH17

The NS50 Showcase is a multi-sensory experiential exhibition on NS50 – "From My Generation to Yours", and is part of the year-long effort to mark 50 years of National Service. The exhibition narrates the evolution of National Service from the 1960s through familiar artefacts, digital installations, augmented reality technology, images and videos. In addition to featuring lesser known items found in basic military training, such as the hair clipper and coloured name tags, visitors will also be able listen to the Army songs that motivated and united soldiers during their marches. Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience a memorable highlight from the Army's past physical training regime with a wooden log, read testimonies of those who were part of this rite of passage, and take a picture of themselves suited in the Advanced Combat Man System iLITE through augmented reality technology.

The exhibition is segmented into a prologue and three distinct zones.

Prologue. NS50 - From my Generation to Yours is a multi-panel display presentation that explains the story of NS. Visitors will get an overview of the history and significant moments of NS. Visitors will be able to learn why NS was established, listen to stories from past and present NSmen, family members and employers, and see how the sacred duty of NS has been handed from one generation to another.

Zone 1. Rite of Passage narrates the evolution of 50 years of NS with a parallel Basic Military Training story. Through the use of interactive displays and objects, visitors will be informed on lesser known, yet interesting facts about NS and encounter familiar objects found during BMT over the years for photo opportunities.

Zone 2. Defending and Safeguarding Singapore allows visitors to touch, feel and experience how our national servicemen operate and safeguard our way of life. Through the use of informative displays and augmented reality (AR) technology, visitors will see the equipment used by our servicemen today to perform their roles in the SAF and the Home Team. They can explore the collaboration between the SAF and the Home Team across various operations and exercises through an interactive multi-action table and take a photograph suited in the Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS) iLite via AR. Visitors will also be able to view an immersive film titled "What Singapore Means to Me", that offers the chance to reflect on the part we have to play to protect those we cherish in Singapore.

Zone 3. Recognising our National Servicemen allows visitors to pledge their support for NS and think about what NS means to them. This zone depicts NS as the common thread that weaves the fabric of our society. Zone 3 is sub-divided into four sectors (i) Serve; (ii) Support; (iii) Reflect; and (iv) Pledge.

In the 'Serve' and 'Support' sectors, visitors will read stories of servicemen who have gone beyond their call of duty and hear stories of how family members, employers and community have supported NS over the last 50 years. Visitors will also have the opportunity to contribute their own NS stories.

In the 'Reflect' sector, visitors will be able to pen their thoughts and hopes for the future of NS and deposit them into the Reflection Capsule. The Reflection Capsule will be sealed at the NS50 Dinner Reception and reopened during NS100 in 2067.

In the 'Pledge' sector, visitors can pledge their support to NS by sharing their pledge photos online through the use of an onsite pledge photo booth.

Dynamic Defence Display / Central Band Performance

The Dynamic Defence Display (D3) segment showcases our Army's latest and most powerful platforms. Visitors will be able to witness the manoeuvrability of our various platforms such as the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank, Leopard 2 Armoured Engineer Vehicle, Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Light Strike Vehicle MK II and our latest Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle. The action-packed show highlights our Army's operational capabilities, including the AH-64D Apache attack helicopters simulating a 'Close Air Support' operation. Visitors will also witness two parachuting displays - one by our Red Lions, and another by our Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) operators who will be executing a military freefall attired in their operational gear. The D3 show includes a capability display by the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) and Army Deployment Force (ADF).

The Central Band Performance will showcase the SAF Central Band, MP Drill Squad and the SAF Music and Drama Company. The performance begins with a dance performance by the SAF Music and Drama Company, followed by performances by the Silent Precision Drill Squad and the SAF band.

Army Platforms Display Zone

The Army Platforms Display Zone is a spectacular line-up of our Army's military platforms on display. Visitors can get up close and take pictures with these various platforms. Servicemen are on site to provide interesting facts about these platforms to visitors.

Army Exhibition

The Army Exhibition, comprising three distinct zones, provides visitors with an overview of our Army.

Army Formations. The immersive and engaging "thematic booths" cover our Army formations and visitors can have a hands-on experience with the wide array of weapons and equipment used by our soldiers. Visitors will also get to experience activities such as roping and locating of explosive devices.

Technology & Innovation. In collaboration with our Defence tech partners, this segment showcases the innovative and technology-centric projects. These include the MATADOR Augmented Reality Trainer and Robotic 'spiders'.  In addition, visitors can try piloting non-military 'drones' in our indoor drone cages.

Night Walk. Visitors get to experience walking in darkness with our Army's night fighting equipment at the Night Walk station.

Kids & Games Zone

Situated at the second level of the F1 Pit building, this zone will provide kids with lots of fun at the interactive stations such as the min Battle Rides and a mini Standard Obstacle Course (SOC). There will also be opportunities for children to dress up in our mini Army uniforms for a photo moment and experience camouflage face painting. Kids can also participate in a realistic shooting game on the Bionix Armoured Fighting Vehicle mock-up stations.

Soldier Strong Challenge

This zone includes a series of obstacles and physical activities for visitors to overcome. Specially designed to allow adults to participate alongside kids, families are encouraged to participate in the Soldier Strong Challenge for a memorable family-bonding experience.

Battlefield Zone

Discover your inner-marksman at this zone. Visitors can handle weapons such as the SAR21 and MATADOR, and fire at enemy targets in an interactive environment. With conventional and urban settings to choose from, visitors will be able to hone their shooting skills and qualify as a true marksman.

Battle Rides

Experience what it is like to be on board our military platforms and be engaged as part of the vehicle crew. Cruise down the Marina Bay with our water rides on the LARC V or the M3G military raft. On land, take a ride in some of our Army's most recognised platforms such as the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle, the Bronco Tracked Carrier, Light Strike Vehicle and also the Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle.

For a positive experience and to minimise time queuing, an electronic queue system has been developed to allow onsite registration at the Battle Rides booth. Visitors can select the Battle Ride of their choice based on available timeslots.

Dads for Life Camp

The Dads for Life Camp will be held on 28 May 2017. It is a father-child camp organised by the Centre for Fathering, as part of an Advisory Council for Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) initiative, and supported by the Singapore Army to recognise the contributions of fathers who have served National Service. Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Maliki Mohamad Bin Osman will be visiting the opening of the Dads for Life Camp on 28 May, and will join father-child pairs to pitch and decorate their 2-men tents. Up to 400 father-child pairs will go on to engage in bonding activities and spend the night together under the stars. The camp will also include a public declaration of the Father's pledge to their families, and a 3km family route march around the bay the next day, led by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Social and Family Development.

AOH17@Heartlands

Those who wish to visit AOH17 after May can do so as the Open House moves into the heartlands in June. Singaporeans can get up close and personal with the exhibits and attractions on display, such as the Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle and the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank, as well as visit the NS50 Showcase and interact with our servicemen.

More Resources

Minister for Defence Joins Army to Celebrate NS50 at AOH17@City