SAF Day: Heartfelt Thanks To Those Who Defend Singapore
Today (1 July) is SAF Day, a day when members of the armed forces reaffirm their pledge of loyalty and dedication to the Singapore Armed Forces and the nation. It's also a day when we celebrate these brave servicemen and women who keep our island home safe.
To thank and appreciate our servicemen and women (past and present), we've collated a list of inspiring stories we've featured here on Wonderwall.sg.
IMAGES: NDP 2024 EXCO
👉 NDP 2024: A Showcase Of Strength As Total Defence Turns 40
National Day Parade 2024 celebrates Singapore's 40 years of Total Defence with the Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display at the Padang.
Highlighting Singapore's readiness across air, maritime, land, and digital domains, the event features over 40 state-of-the-art assets and 400 participants from Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Digital and Intelligence Service as well as Singapore Police Force, Singapore Civil Defence Force, and personnel from key civilian agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, national water agency PUB, and Singapore Red Cross.
IMAGES (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): FACEBOOK/@SINGAPORENAVY, LINKEDIN/@DAVID-NEO-791A01A, FACEBOOK/@DEFENCEPIONEERSG, FACEBOOK/@NGENGHEN, AND FACEBOOK/@SINGAPORENAVY
👉 Glass Ceiling, Shattered: Celebrating Women's 'Firsts' In The SAF
In October 2023, CPT Yap Hui Jun shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to complete the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Ranger Course. Her historic achievement is a testament to the growing presence of women in the SAF, highlighted by other trailblazers like SLTC Lee Mei Yi, the first woman to command a fighter squadron, and COL (Dr) Shalini Arulanandam, the first female head of the Military Medicine Institute. From the first female brigadier-general Gan Siow Huang to 2WO Shirley Ng, the first female Red Lion parachutist, these pioneers are reshaping the future of Singapore’s military.
IMAGE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/@EUGENE BUTLER
👉 5 Times RSAF Jets Have Been Scrambled Because Of Bomb Scares
In a recent incident, RSAF F-15SG fighter aircraft escorted Scoot flight TR16 back to Changi Airport after a bomb threat was reported onboard. This marks one of several occasions the RSAF has responded swiftly to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft in Singapore's airspace. From schizophrenia-related scares to hoaxes, these responses highlight the RSAF's vigilance and capability in safeguarding national security and air travel, underscoring their critical role in maintaining safety amidst potential threats.
The RSAF loaded Singapore’s humanitarian assistance for Gaza onto the RSAF’s A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). | IMAGE: MINDEF
👉 Saviours In The Sky: How The RSAF Is Ever-Ready To Tackle Air Threats And Offer Help
The RSAF doesn't just tackle air threats and keep our territorial airspace safe; it also provides aid for rescue and relief efforts.
In 1971, the then-Singapore Air Defence Command's first humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission was in Pahang, Malaysia to transport food and medical supplies, as well as rescue survivors affected by a flood. The air force was only three years old then.
In 2021, one of the RSAF's new A330 MRTTs was deployed to provide humanitarian aid by assisting to airlift 149 Afghan evacuees from Qatar to Germany. Last year, a pair of RSAF CH-47F Chinook helicopters was dispatched to offer assistance to the flood-affected population in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.
In March, the RSAF successfully executed its third tranche of humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza (its first and second tranches were delivered in Nov 2023). This effort involved two aircraft, an A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport and a C-130 Hercules transport plane, accompanied by 69 personnel.
ORIGINAL IMAGE: 123RF
👉 Stepping Up Our Game To Combat Piracy And Protect The Waters Around Singapore
Our servicemen and women in the Republic of Singapore Navy stand ever-ready to combat piracy and ensure that maritime trade continues to flow smoothly in and out of Singapore waters.
In addition, they are responsible for safeguarding Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), ensuring their continuous operation and safety as crucial transportation channels. SLOCs serve as vital maritime pathways connecting naval ports, acting as the lifeblood of a region's economy and playing a crucial role in global trade, military operations, and various other purposes.
IMAGES (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT): FACEBOOK/@MINDEFSG, INSTAGRAM/@THESINGAPOREDIS AND UNSPLASH
👉 His Claim Of Hacking Into MINDEF Throws Spotlight On Its Robust Cyber Defence Instead
This incident that happened in September 2023 served as a timely reminder to approach social media content critically. At the same time, it underscored the role of the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), established on 28 Oct 2022, as part of the Next Generation SAF. This new service addresses complex digital challenges.
The incident emphasised the importance of digital vigilance, prompting a renewed focus on online privacy protection and digital literacy, especially for less tech-savvy individuals.
IMAGES (FROM LEFT): SCREENSHOT FROM YOUTUBE/@THEKRAZYKOALA, SIM DING EN, FACEBOOK/@FITNESSMANTRASINGAPORE, INSTAGRAM/@KELLYLATIMER AND @BRENDAENGGGGG, FACEBOOK/@OURSINGAPOREARMY AND INSTAGRAM/@EILEEEEN_LEONG
👉 Unity In Uniform: Answering The Call To Serve In The SAF Volunteer Corps
Inaugurated in 2015, the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) is a uniformed volunteer scheme introduced to provide more Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with the opportunity to contribute to national defence, show support for National Service and deepen their understanding and ownership of national defence.
The SAFVC kicked off with an inaugural intake of 226 volunteers. Today, it has close to 1,000.
IMAGES COURTESY OF BENJAMIN TAN
👉 This Ex-Military Guy Has New Missions - In Cybersecurity And Fatherhood
After a long stint in the military, Benjamin Tan, CEO of Red Alpha Cybersecurity, now serves the nation by mentoring a new generation of cyber defenders.
“The military was my first step into cybersecurity,” Benjamin says. “I had many opportunities to build my expertise through various training, participate in various cybersecurity operations and exercises, and learn from the best cybersecurity experts in the military. The cybersecurity ecosystem in Singapore is also a small and tight-knit community, and I made many friends in the industry during my time there."
Benjamin studied Computer Engineering in university, and joined the small but growing cybersecurity team first in MINDEF, and then in the SAF.
"I had the privilege to take on multiple roles, including cybersecurity consultancy, IT operations and subsequently heading the MINDEF Cyber Security Operations Centre (SOC) and commanding the SAF’s Cyber Incident Response (IR) Unit," he says.
IMAGES: TIKTOK@/RANGEREATS AND AZIZ SHAFII
👉 Ex-SAF Regular Cooks Up A Storm On TikTok With Mess-Tin Meals
Outward Bound Singapore instructor Aziz Shafii cooks up delicious mess-tin meals inspired by his time in the SAF.
"The original inspiration came when I was in the jungles of Brunei with my men," explains the ex-Platoon Commander of Knights Company in Specialist Cadet School 3. "We were going on a land expedition, and discussing what else we could eat for the next three days other than Maggi - and they had no ideas whatsoever. I decided, 'I want to try biryani.' I took on the challenge and managed to get ingredients from the canteen and tried it out."
Aziz believes the Army fights with its stomach. "When the soldiers are fed and well-nourished, it will give their bodies energy to train, and they will give their best, knowing that their primary welfare is taken care of," he says.
IMAGE (LEFT): GARY TAN
👉 Ah Boy To Man: On Screen, This Actor Has Gone From Kid To Bully To Soldier
Freelance actor and Singapore University of Social Sciences undergraduate Gary Tan – who recently starred in the titular role of "Max", a short film as a young man who undergoes a life-changing experience in NS – served the nation at the SAF counselling centre during his NS days.
"We would do drug talks, and speak to new NSFs about mental wellness, mental health, and services provided by the SCC," Gary says. "We were trained in basic counselling skills, went for counselling courses, and got to man the SAF Counselling Hotline. Sometimes we are the first responders. In one instance, there was a suicidal caller, so I had to quickly call the unit, call the direct supervisors, tell them they had a man who was feeling such and such, please render assistance."
Gary recalls how he acquired the basic skills to know when someone was feeling down or having a bad day, so that he would know the right things to do and say. "Sometimes, you don't even need to talk to them, you just need to stay by their side and listen to them, because it's about active listening," he says.
IMAGE OF MASKS: NG KAI, OTHER IMAGES COURTESY OF HOSAN
👉 Serious Fun: Martial Arts And Nerf Wars Keep This Ex-CSM And His Family Together
Ex-Company Sergeant Major Mohamad Munir bin Rohani (aka "Hosan") and his troop of five children gear up and go all out with their Nerf guns four days a week at Tampines Quarry to tackle "operations" using military tactics and formations. The group calls themselves G.H.O.S.T., which stands for Guts and Honour to Overcome Situations Tactfully.
"When we [play as] "G.H.O.S.T.", we do gameplays that require us to think together as one," explains Hosan who retired from the SAF after close to 20 years. "And if anyone quarrels, then that wouldn't be an honourable way to approach this. That's why the acronym stands for "Guts and Honour to Overcome Situations Tactfully". Whatever we do has to be done tactfully, even when we are right."
IMAGES: NICK CHEE (LEFT) AND LAZADA APP
👉 Army Shops For Your Last-Minute Reservist Shopping
Missing items with book-in day around the corner? No need to stress. Beach Road Army Market, HIS Army Shop, Hock Gift Shop... and now Lazada Lifestylemart - here's a list of places on-site and online to get your last-minute reservist supplies.
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