NDP once again...

Its the time of the year once again, whereby you can see lots of red and white, a cresent moon and 5 stars hanging from lots houses, shops, commerical buildings etc etc.

You will see lots of shows, hear lots national songs on TV and Radio, and where everyone in Singapore will celebrate a special 41st birthday on the 9th Augest 2006, even its just a public holiday.

Yes, Its National Day! Months of preparation, rehersals, plannings are spend to make the upcoming birthday bash a success. How many SAF, Police, SCDF, Civilians involved, in terms of participants, security, logistics all the way down to the "Sai Kangers"...

This year will be my sixth year involved in NDP. Third year for medical cover, first year as an ambulance crew.

Involved in 2000 (NS time) as a mobile colume, where i was driving MB290, carrying snipers. First time Mobile colume went to the housing estates. I am sure that the roads in Singapore are very chaotic during the preview and on that day itself.

In 2001, (NS time also), i was one of the thousands "Sai Kangers" doing Marshelling, signboard posting, packing goodie bags, driver, NDP ticket issuing, Carrying of barricades etc... Remember that i bong my 3-tonner into the side of the Police Coast Guard (kallang base)gate during the NE show. My tonner got a small dent, the the gate collaspe the next day. All i got was 3 extras.

In 2003, my zone in my UG was involved as the marching contingent in NDP, and i was one of the POC.

In 2004, I was involved as a medical personnal in the grandstand with Derek. Met up with Chia Hock after the actual day, and we got free flow of food and drinks, including beer... No, i did not touch the beer.

2005, i was helping out at the Tampines Heartland celebrations, as well as one of the ground commander for the SJAB medical team at Padang. My zone and another zone was in charge of the duty...

Come 2006, i was helping out as an ambulance crew at National Stadium.

This means to say, i have been through almost every "appointment" in NDP, except for being a spectator. This does not include specialist duties, such as the lights and sounds system, EXCO member, logistic.

Wondering why i spoke about this topic?

I just came back from the "SAF Family day" NDP rehersal at National Stadium. Though i was quite far away from the stadium, two things occured that makes me thing that this year NDP will be a special one.


1) The first time fly past of the Apaches. I was fastinated by the Apeches (okie, i am crazy about military hardware, but not the software and the underware... i am still an IT Idiot). Their sleek lines and curves had my attention. I saw the meancing gleam of their 30mm chain gun, their 8 hellfire anti-tank missiles, and 2 pods of 2.75 inch rockets. (Aerial Arty?)

2) The Fireworks. Thought its not a 100% of fireworks and pyrotechnics for this rehersal, but its very nice. Cannot imagine the amount of fireworks and pyrotechnics on the actual day.(Took some photos of the fireworks, but dunno why cannot upload the pictures into blogger these few days, that's why recently my blog got no pictures, can anyone tell me why?)


Another interesting thing. First time for this year, the Guard of honor (GOH) are carrying the SAR 21 Rifle with baynoet instead of the M-16S1 Rifle. I never knew that the SAR 21 rifle can fix baynoets now. (During my NS time, we are using SAR 21 throughout the operational period, and there was no way to fix baynoets).

Well, NE show next sat. Going to be tired again. (NDP is always tiring, when you are involved).

RT later. My last RT on a Sunday. Praying for rain during RT later. Wish me luck!