Six F-15 fighter jets to fly over hospitals islandwide in this year’s NDP in tribute to frontline workers

For this year’s National Day Parade (NDP), six F-15 fighter jets will be performing a 30-minute long aeriel display – Roar of Unity – across the island as a sign of unity in Singapore as well as a gesture of paying tribute to the frontline essential workers.

The fighter jets will fly over eight hospitals islandwide – Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat General Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Hospital, Alexandra Hospital, and Singapore General Hospital – in a tight Delta formation shaped like an arrowhead.

The deputy chairman of air participation and flying display marshal Lieutenant-Colonel Tan Boon Hong explained that the Roar Of Unity “signifies the nation is remaining united” as Singaporeans celebrate National Day.

“We want to give tribute to our front-line fighters and essential workers that keep us going during this period and we salute them for their resilience, dedication and sacrifice,” he added.

Taking place at the Padang on Sunday (9 Aug), the aerial display will start at 10.45am. It will then make three passes around the island before returning to Paya Lebar Air Base at around 11.15am.

Besides the aerial display, a morning parade and ceremony will also be held at the Padang, as well as an evening show at the Star Performing Arts Centre.

This year’s NDP was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) as it unveiled its first rehearsal for the parade earlier on 26 July.

The Parade & Ceremony (P&C) segment saw the four guard-of-hour contingents – formed by the Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and Singapore Police Force (SPF) – rehearsing for a unique NDP this year.

Each contingent will have 36 participants, halved by its size in previous NDPs. They are all required to wear a mask throughout the ceremony.

In total, there will be 300 participants. Spectators will be maxed at 150 “representatives of society”, compared to the usual tens of thousands.

The spectators will be split into three segregated sectors of about 50 each. The three sectors will not be allowed to interact with each other, and each of them will have different routes for entry and exit as well.

Other highlights of the parade will include:

• Presidential gun salute conducted at the Padang for the first time, together with the marching contingents
• State flag flying past by the RSAF’s CH-475D Chinook helicopter, escorted by two AH-64D Apache helicopters
• Six F-15SG fighter planes flying in a delta formation to perform a “roar of unity” across the Padang
• “Nationwide anthem moment” and a salute to frontline and essential workers
  – President Halimah Yacob – together with the parade – will lead the national anthem as the state flag is raised at the Padang
  – Flag-raising ceremonies will take place across Singapore as a sign of unity among Singaporeans