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New Paper
11 hours ago
- Politics
- New Paper
Father and son to lead NDP 2025 mobile column to celebrate commitment to defence across generations
The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) marks several firsts for Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan. He has participated in previous parades in a back-end capacity, overseeing security matters, but he will now be front and centre - as the commander of the mobile column. The mobile column serves as a showcase of the Republic's military and civil defence assets. For NDP 2025, 170 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be on display, along with more than 800 people from participating agencies. NDP 2025 will also see LTC Chan, who is chief of staff for the SAF's 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade, participate in the parade for the first time with his son, 10-year-old Keith Chan. The pair will be leading the mobile column in a Leopard 2SG main battle tank. "It's definitely an honour to participate this year, especially together with my son," said LTC Chan, 48, whose day job involves him overseeing back-end support at Alexandra Hospital. Keith, a pupil at St Anthony's Primary School, said he was "super excited" to be taking part in the parade with his father as well as to have the opportunity to see the different vehicles up close. The pair's participation is in line with one of the mobile column's four thematic segments for 2025, titled From Generation To Generation, which emphasises the continued strengthening of Singapore through generational commitment to defence. The mobile column will feature stories of men and women from the SAF and Home Team across generations, said Major Teo Wei Kok, chairman of the NDP 2025 mobile column, noting that veterans would also be appearing. Major Teo Wei Kok said that the mobile column will feature stories from across generations. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO "We want to honour the sacrifice and contributions of past and current servicemen and women, while inspiring future generations to take up the mantle and continue building upon the strong foundations of Singapore's defence and security forces," he added. Among those participating with their family is Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stella Tay, who will appear in a video featurette during the mobile column with her 11-year-old daughter, Shermaine Goh, and her son, Edward Goh, nine. Deputy Superintendent of Police Stella Tay will appear in a video featurette together with her son Edward Goh and daughter Shermaine Goh. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO "It's a very rare chance to be able to bring the children to work so that they experience what I do," said DSP Tay, 38, who is with the Singapore Police Force's Public Transport Security Command. "I hope that I can be a good role model to them," she added. With his father also part of the police force, Edward aspires to follow in both his parents' footsteps to become a police officer. DSP Tay said she just wishes for her children to have a positive impact on others, whatever their careers. "Whatever they want to be, just contribute back to society," she said. The mobile column's other thematic segments highlight the SAF's capabilities to protect Singapore and the coordinated defence capabilities of the SAF and Home Team, as well as their contributions to global security and ability to conduct a wide spectrum of operations. MAJ Teo noted that 2025 marks the 18th mobile column - the mobile column first appeared in the 1969 NDP and is typically held during milestone years, with the previous iteration held in 2019 to mark Singapore's bicentennial celebrations. Singapore commemorates 60 years of independence in 2025, as well as the 60th anniversary of the SAF. For the first time, the mobile column will include air and maritime elements, in addition to the drive-past along St Andrew's Road. "We will see an aerial fly-past, and at Marina Bay we'll see a maritime display with vessels from the navy, the Home Team as well as the Maritime and Port Authority," said MAJ Teo. While the mobile column has typically showcased the army and Home Team's vehicles and artillery, the MPA is included as it is an important partner in ensuring the Republic's maritime security, he added. MAJ Teo also recognised some 200 people who work behind the scenes to support operations for the mobile column, such as road marshals and the logistics team. "Without them working tirelessly behind the scenes, there will be no mobile column," he said. Assets appearing in the mobile column for the first time include the army's Hunter Armoured Engineer Vehicle and TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar, the navy's Combatant Craft Underwater, the police's Tactical Strike Vehicle, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force's second-generation Medical Support Vehicle. Selected vehicles will also enter the Padang show stage during the drive-past, giving spectators a closer look at these vehicles. On Aug 10, some of these assets will travel from the city centre along five routes to various heartland celebration sites to give more people a chance to see them up close. Details of the routes and heartland sites will be released at a later date.
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
NDP 2025: Mobile column to make return to Padang after 5-year hiatus, Singapore News
Leopard tanks rolling down St Andrew's Road, F-16 fighter jets soaring over the Padang, and patrol crafts gliding through Marina Bay - these are just some of the sights to expect as the iconic mobile column makes its return to the National Day Parade (NDP). Marking its first appearance at the Padang since NDP 2019, this year's NDP show will feature over 170 assets and 800 participants from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. It is also the first time that the mobile column — traditionally a drive-past of military assets and vehicles — will include an aerial flypast across Padang and a maritime display concurrently at the nearby Marina Bay. Speaking to reporters on Saturday (June 21) Major Teo Wei Kok, chairman of NDP 2025 mobile column committee, said that the purpose of this "stately, grand display" remains the same since it was introduced in the NDP in 1969. "This year's mobile column aims to showcase our ability and commitment to defend and to take charge of our defence and security of our own nation," he said, adding that one of the segments will display the SAF and Home Team's recent abilities to "operate beyond our shores". These include humanitarian missions in quake-hit Myanmar and in war-torn Gaza. Maj Teo said that unlike past parades, this year's expanded mobile column with land, air and sea assets on display concurrently means "complex coordination" between different agencies. "At the same time, it reflects what we do in our daily tasks," he said. "Our team is ready to deal with and handle the situation." Close-up view of assets Another first in this year's parade, according to the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in a media release, is that the mobile column will be "closer" to spectators in Padang. Selected assets, such as the light strike vehicle and terrex infantry carrier, will enter the show stage during the drive-past, they added. "This will offer spectators in various sectors of the seating gallery a close-up view of the assets," said Mindef. The mobile column will also travel from the city centre along five routes to various Heartland Celebration sites on Aug 10, said Mindef. This year's mobile column will bring together the children of servicemen and women with those from earlier generations of SAF and the Home Team. Mindef said that the segment, named "From Generation to Generation", will feature a film that will be played to those watching at the Padang and at home, which "features stories of men and women from the SAF and Home Team across generations". "We want to honour the sacrifice and contributions of past and current servicemen and women, while inspiring future generations to take up the mantle and continue building upon the strong foundations of Singapore's defence and security forces," they added. For Lieutenant Colonel (NS) Alex Chan, 48, this year's NDP will be extra special. The national serviceman, who will be leading the Army in the mobile column, will be taking part alongside his 10-year-old son, Jinghoi for the first time, where they will be saluting to the 27,000-strong crowd at the Padang and the millions watching at home. Calling it an honour to participate alongside his son, LTC (NS) Chan hopes the experience will help Jinghoi better understand his father's role in the Army. "He has always been curious about what I do, and he misses me whenever I have to stay in camp for training," he said. "He also wonders why I had to stay in-camp for so long, sometimes for up to three weeks if there is an overseas exercise." Jinghoi, a student at St. Anthony's Primary School, added: "I feel tired to be under the hot sun, but after all, it's still fun." [[nid:719012]] chingshijie@
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Father and son to lead NDP 2025 mobile column to celebrate commitment to defence across generations
Lieutenant Colonel (NS) Alex Chan Kwok Hoh helping his son Chan Jinghoi put on his helmet during a NDP media event on June 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Father and son to lead NDP 2025 mobile column to celebrate commitment to defence across generations SINGAPORE – The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) marks several firsts for Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan. He has participated in previous parades in a back-end capacity, overseeing security matters, but he will now be front and centre – as the commander of the mobile column. The mobile column serves as a showcase of the Republic's military and civil defence assets. For NDP 2025, 170 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be on display, along with more than 800 people from participating agencies. NDP 2025 will also see participate in the parade for the first time with his son, 10-year-old Keith Chan. The pair in a Leopard 2SG m ain b attle t ank. 'It's definitely an honour to participate this year, especially together with my son,' said LTC (NS) Chan , 48, whose day job sees him overseeing back-end support at Alexandra Hospital. Keith, a pupil at St Anthony's Primary School, said he was 'super excited' to be taking part in the parade with his father as well as have the opportunity to see the different vehicles up close. The pair's participation is in line with one of the mobile column's four thematic segments for 2025 , titled From Generation to Generation, which emphasises the continued strengthening of Singapore through generational commitment to defence. The mobile column will feature stories of men and women from the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team across generations, said Major Teo Wei Kok , chairman of the NDP 2025 mobile column, noting veterans would also be appearing. NDP 2025 Mobile Column Committee Chairman Major Teo Wei Kok at the F1 Village during a NDP media event on June 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO 'We want to honour the sacrifice and contributions of past and current servicemen and women, while inspiring future generations to take up the mantle and continue building upon the strong foundations of Singapore's defence and security forces,' he added . Among those participating with their family is Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stella Tay, who will appear in a video featurette during the mobile column with her 11-year-old daughter Shermaine Goh and her son Edward Goh, nine. Deputy Superintendent of Police Stella Tay together with her son Edward Goh and daughter Shermaine Goh during a NDP media event on June 21. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO 'It's a very rare chance to be able to bring the children to work so that they experience what I do,' said DSP Tay, 38, who is with the Singapore Police Force's Public Transport Security Command. 'I hope that I can be good role model to them,' she . While Edward aspires to follow in both his parents' footsteps and become a police officer, DSP Tay said she just wishes for her children to have a positive impact on others, whatever their careers. 'Whatever they want to be, just contribute back to society,' she said. The mobile column's other thematic segments highlight the SAF's capabilities to protect Singapore and the coordinated defence capabilities of the SAF and Home Team, as well as their contributions to global security and ability to conduct a wide spectrum of operations. Major Teo noted that 2025 marks the 18th mobile column – which first appeared in the 1969 NDP – is typically held during milestone years, with the previous iteration held in 2019 to mark Singapore's bicentennial celebrations. Singapore commemorates 60 years o f independence in 2025 , as well as the 60th anniversary of the SAF. For the first time, the mobile column will include air and maritime elements, in addition to the drive-past on St Andrew's Road. 'We will see an aerial flypast, and at Marina Bay we'll see a maritime display with vessels from the n avy, the Home Team as well as the Maritime and Port Authority,' said Major Teo. While the mobile column has typically showcased the army and Home Team's vehicles and artillery , the MPA is included as it is an important partner in ensuring the Republic's maritime security, he added. Major Teo also recognised some 200 people who work behind the scenes to support operations for the mobile column, such as road marshals and the logistics team. 'Without them working tirelessly behind the scenes, there will be no mobile column,' he said. Assets appearing in the parade for the first time include the army's Hunter Armoured Engineer Vehicle and TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar, the navy's Combatant Craft Underwater, the police's Tactical Strike Vehicle, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force's second-generation Medical Support Vehicle. Selected vehicles will also enter the Padang show stage during the drive-past, giving spectators a closer look at these . On Aug 10, some of these assets will travel from the city centre along five routes to various heartland celebration sites to give more people a chance to see up close. Details of the routes and heartland sites will be released at a later date. Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
