They Bring The Boomz To NDP 2024 With The Presidential Gun Salute
Get ready to feel the thunder on 9 Aug, not only at the Padang but even more so in the Marina Basin, during the Presidential Gun Salute (PGS).
As President Tharman Shanmugaratnam attends his first National Day Parade (NDP) as head of state and makes his grand inspection of the parade, escorted by the Chief of Defence Force and the Parade Commander, four mighty 25-pounder Howitzer guns will be firing a 21-gun salute.
Soldiers from 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery waving at spectators during the PGS sail-past. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
The guns will be mounted on Mobility 3rd Generation (M3G) rafts, which will embark on a 5.87km journey, passing the Singapore Flyer, ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands, and the Promontory, making history as the longest sail-past within the Marina Basin to date.
Those at Merlion Park and Esplanade will undoubtedly have the best view of the PGS, which comprises 169 participants from the 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery (23 SA) and the 35th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (35 SCE).
We turn the spotlight on three of them: 1st Sergeant (1SG) Gautham Senthil Kumaran, Captain (CPT) Kimberley Chia, and Corporal (CPL) Muhammad Shahrizuan Bin Hidayat.
1SG Gautham is a platoon sergeant with 35 SCE. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
The M3G amphibious vehicles bridging to form a raft. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
1SG Gautham Senthil Kumaran
Role in PGS: M3G Raft Commander
The NDP experience has been exhilarating for 1SG Gautham, who takes immense pride in being part of one of the parade’s most crucial components. “I'm looking forward to D-Day!” he says.
Rehearsals came with their own set of challenges, particularly adjusting from their usual training grounds to tighter spaces and the presence of civilians. However, with time, his team adapted and manoeuvred efficiently.
What stands out this year is the extended sail-past route, allowing the crew to interact more with spectators. “We’ll take a longer route and try to go as slowly as possible so that we on the raft can interact with our fellow Singaporeans by waving and smiling at them,” 1SG Gautham says. This interaction, especially with children, is a highlight for him. “Kids are so excited to see men in uniform, so they go crazy, they start yelling. It's cute lah, it's adorable!”
Fun fact: The 25-year-old is an Advanced Open Water Diver who loves oceanic explorations. “Malapasqua in the Philippines is one of my favourite places because of the Thresher Sharks.”
CPT Kimberley is a Battery Commander, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) with 23 SA. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
The Singapore Army’s Mobility 3rd Generation (M3G) amphibious vehicle preparing to launch. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
CPT Kimberley Chia
Role in PGS: Organising Secretary
NDP began months ago for CPT Kimberley and her team, who have been responsible for handling the logistics. It has taken months of planning and hard work leading up to the actual event. "I think a lot of people don't understand the amount of planning that goes into the PGS. It's just two, three minutes of fame, but the backend preparation takes months," she says.
CPT Kimberley’s role involves coordinating with various services of the Singapore Armed Forces, and seeking permission from numerous government agencies. "For the PGS holding area, we were in touch with Gardens by the Bay, because the area actually belongs to them, even that grass patch over there; LTA (Land Transport Authority), for clearance of the oversized vehicles; and PUB (Singapore's National Water Agency) needed our risk assessment for our water activities," she says.
Her favourite part of NDP? "As an artillery officer, I really like that we are able to do some form of firing in Singapore. Another favourite would be watching the SAF Colours Party march in. They undergo such long hours of training, so their marching is a lot sharper – very ups!" she enthuses.
The 31-year-old also shares a fun fact about the number of rounds fired: "We only fire 21 rounds on 9 Aug. At every other rehearsal or parade, we actually only fire 19 rounds for the reviewing officer. If the President is not there, we cannot fire 21 rounds." Now you know!
CPL Shahrizuan is an artillery operator from 23 SA. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
Personnel from 23 SA preparing for the PGS. | IMAGE: NDP 2024 EXCO
CPL Muhammad Shahrizuan Bin Hidayat
Role in PGS: 25-Pounder Gunner
Playing a crucial role in this year’s NDP, CPL Shahrizuan serves as the number six man in the PGS, who starts the passing of the rounds, a responsibility he holds with great pride. “I feel honoured to be representing my unit in this PGS. This is my first time participating in any NDP, so I feel proud to be doing this for my friends, family, and for my country,” says the 22-year-old.
Despite the rigorous training, the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious event is something CPL Shahrizuan cherishes. “I volunteered for this role as this is a once in a lifetime experience that not everyone can be a part of,” he says. “Standing on the M3G raft and firing the 25-pounder with a bunch of my friends is something that I can look back on after I ORD.”
Watching the marching contingents during the Parade and Ceremony segment is something CPL Shahrizuan looks forward to every NDP, but this year, seeing the reactions of spectators from the Promontory during rehearsals and preview shows has been a highlight for him. “Most of them wave, but there’ve been a couple of times when I’ve seen the public saluting us,” he recounts with pride.
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