"> View from the AH-64D helicopter as the State Flag flies pass the Padang during a rehearsal. 
Flag Men, Good Flag!
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It is always a proud moment for every Singaporean, as the National Anthem plays and the Singapore Flag flies across the National Day Parade (NDP). And, as I have got to learn, it is even more so for the hundreds of servicemen who toil away to make it happen.
I am 2LT Wei Xue, a project officer with the RSAF’s social media team. Just weeks ago, I was given an opportunity to tag along with the Mustang Presidential Flag Salute Crew, a.k.a the Flag Party, at Sembawang Air Base for three days. It was eye opening as I got to observe, firsthand, the preparation process for the annual NDP State Flag Flypast. I hope that this piece will be able to provide you a glimpse into what goes on behind-the-scenes in this laborious preparation for an iconic event.
Preparation at Sembawang Air Base
When I was there, the Flag Party was in the midst of the preparation for a rehearsal. Four flags were being prepared, of which one will be flown to the Padang by the Chinook. The other three will remain as backup. I got to learn that on the actual NDP, the numbers are going to be greater - 14 flags will be set up at three different locations, and three will be airborne, of which, only one will be flown to the Padang.
It takes 25 men to roll the flag in one coordinated movement to ensure that the flag is rolled properly for it to be unfurled nicely.
First, the approximately 30 by 20 metres flags have to be laid out for inspection, and the team checked every inch for irregularities, and rectified any stains or tears. Next, the flags were rolled up in a very specific manner - both ends of the flags have to be coiled very meticulously into two tautly-wound discs. This ensures that the flags can unfurl in the desired manner when the Chinooks pick them up.
Given the sheer size of the flags and the precision that was required, it took a team of 25 airmen 45 minutes to roll one flag. As one of the airmen told me, they do not tolerate any slack (both literally and figuratively) and will not hesitate to restart the rolling process should the coils at the sides loosen.
The coils have to be kept tight and in shape throughout the entire rolling process.
The flags were loaded onto the Chinook and then flew over to Pulau Sudong, an island south of Singapore, for rigging and pick up.
Show Time!
It was Saturday and there was no time to waste. At about 12.30pm, the first batch of the Flag Party flew out from Sembawang Air Base to Pulau Sudong. Almost immediately, they hit the ground running - deploying the flags along the runway and started with the rigging process:
1. Two steel cables were fastened to each flag. These cables would be used to anchor the flag onto the Chinook.
2. Three ballasts, weighing ~220 kgs each, were secured to the bottom of each flag using three cable steels. In flight, these weights will keep the flag straight and steady.
3. Velcro webbings were used to wrap along the length of the flags to keep them rolled up. Once the flag was launched into the air, these velcros were released to let the flag unfurl.
A fully-rigged flag weighs approximately 1,250 kgs, and it was definitely no easy feat to move them around.
Each ballast weighs about 220 kgs and had to be transported around by a forklift.
Of the two slings anchoring the flag onto the Chinook, only one will bear the weight of the flags and ballasts, while the other serves as the backup.
After the flags were fully rigged, the team will wait for the Chinooks to arrive around 6pm. One Chinook at a time, it will taxi over the flag laid out on the runway, before securing the flag and see it lifted into the air. This was arguably the most exciting moment of the entire process, as we will get to see the preparation go into fruition. Should it fail to unfurl nicely, the flag will be dropped off, and one of the backup flags will be picked up.
The velcro webbings were released to let the flag unfurl, and, to everyone’s delight, it did so in a majestic fashion. As the flag was being flown off to the Padang where the NDP rehearsal was going on, the Flag Party, with the look of fulfilment on their faces, stood and watched it from afar. This was, as they themselves say, the part of the job that made up for their sweat, tears, and burnt weekends.
Three airmen have to run and pull a rope to release the velcro webbings just as the flag gets airborne to unfurl it.
It’s a good flag!!!
On board the Chinook, the Air Crew Specialist has to maintain sight with the flag to ensure that the flag flies properly without any folds or tears.
When the State Flag was out of sight from Padang, the show would have concluded for the audience at that moment. However, the day was far from over for the Flag Party, who were then awaiting the flag’s return to proceed with the recovery - everything that was set up had to be dismantled!
The sun had set when the recovery process began. The Flag Party had to rely on portable lights to recover the flag in an open field.
The steel coils, ballasts and other equipment used for rigging were dismantled and packed nicely for transport back to Sembawang Air Base.
The Flag Party arriving back at Sembawang Air Base past 11pm.
The State Flags will be checked, graded and stored away for the next show.
The day was long and it was physically draining, but the Flag Party were all smiles to have their photo taken!
Finishing up at close to midnight, the day was long; it must also have been a really exhausting one for the Flag Party. Nevertheless, when I glanced at their faces, there were never any signs of discontent nor weary. Perhaps they were all genuinely happy to have played a part in the State Flag Flypast, the thought of which is particularly heartwarming.
I will admit I used to think the preparation for the State Flag Flypast was a straightforward one. That was until this visit showed me there was in fact so much work that was going on, unseen by the public, for the show every week.
That being said, when you see the State Flag soar across our skyline on 9 August, do remember to give the Flag Party their well-deserved salute!
