Commemorating the 55th anniversary of National Service, the Army Open House 2022 (AOH22) once again returned back to the F1 Pit Building from 28-30 May – the third edition at the venue since 2012. With the theme “Generations of Strength”, the exhibits displayed the various assets and capabilities of the Singapore Army, and the evolution and achievements of national servicemen through the NS55 showcase. This year’s AOH22 had three main components: AOH22@F1 Pit Building, AOH22@Heartlands at Punggol (3-5 June) and Bishan (10-12 June), and the AOH22 Virtual Exhibition which runs online from 16 May – 12 June.
Due to the modality of this year’s AOH22 under the current Safe Management Measures (SMMs), the event was a ticketed event which required visitors to book the free tickets online based on their selected dates and timings. When arriving onsite for entry, they were also required to show proof of vaccination in addition to the entry QR code. Despite this, all tickets were fully taken up prior to the first day of the open house as this event has always been a perennial favourite with the public.
The MAphotoSG Team was on the ground for the weekend to cover the event, and we are excited to present our collection of shots capturing the fun and excitement of the event.
1. The Army Open House 2022 (AOH22) kick-offed at the F1 Pit Building from 28-30 May, and will move to Punggol and Bishan on the following weekends
2. This year’s AOH22 celebrates the 55th anniversary of National Service with the theme “Generations of Strength”
3. Visitors stream in under the bright skies for AOH22@F1 Pit Building
Heavy Metal
A selection of various military platforms and assets of the Singapore Army were on full display, with the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) AH-64D Apache Longbow among them. These static displays gave the visitors the opportunity to find out more about them and how they function as part of the mission of the army, and to leave with memorable photos and interaction sessions with the personnel on the ground.
4. Leopard 2SG
5. Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV)
6. Terrex AV-81 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), Command
7. Bionix 1+ Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)
8. Ford F550, Mobile Adjustable Ramp System (MARS)
9. Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle (PRV)
10. Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) Mark II, Spike ATGM
11. AH-64D Apache Longbow
12. Bronco All Terrain Tracker Carrier (ATTC), Recce
13. Veloce 15 Mini-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)
14. Scout Bike
15. Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV), Mortar
16. Kodiak L2 Armoured Engineer Vehicle (AEV)
17. FH-2000
18. Digitised Trunk Communications System (D-TCS)
19. Trailblazer Counter-Mine Vehicle
20. MAN TGS 6×6, Generator
21. AN/TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar (WLR)
22. Agilis Light Utility Vehicle (LUV), General Support
23. Ford F550, Mobile Swab Station
24. Hunter Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV)
25. Wheeled Recovery Vehicle
26. Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV), Battalion Casualty Station (BCS)
27. M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System)
28. Night view of the AOH22@F1 Pit Building outdoor exhibit area
Riding It Rough
A crowd favourite at every Army Open House are the battle rides, which allows visitors to board selected Army platforms for a thrilling ride experience, and at AOH22, the Bionix, Terrex, Peacekeeper PRV and M3G rides were available. The most popular ride was the RSAF CH-47SD Chinook flight, with visitors being ferried from the AOH22 site to an embarkation and disembarkation area near the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Short of joining the Army, this is about as close as the public can get to experience the power and capabilities of these machines.
29. Visitors board the CH-47SD Chinook for their battle ride experience
30. The flight crew waves to the public as the Chinook lifts off for its flight
31. The Chinook generates a strong rotor downwash as it comes in for a landing
32. A Terrex ICV prepares to move out for its battle ride
33. The Terrex vehicle commander signal double thumbs up as he moves off
34. The Terrex vehicles were kept busy as they ferried visitors for their battle rides
35. The Mobility 3rd Generation Float Bridge (M3G) travels under the Benjamin Sheares Bridge on its battle ride
36. Visitors onboard the M3G ride are offered a spectacular view of the Marina Bay area
37. Visitors disembarked from the M3G after their ride
38. Visitors board the Peacekeeper PRV for their battle ride
39. Interior shot of the Peacekeeper PRV ride
40. The Peacekeeper PRV negotiates a turn during its ride
41. Flashing a victory sign before the Bionix ride begins
42. The Bionix goes through it’s paces during the ride
43. As the Bionix returns back for disembarkation, another prepares to move out
Evolution Through The Generations
The evolution of the National Service through the last 55 years were displayed in the NS55 Showcase, where visitors can experience it through physical displays, objects, augmented-reality displays and hands-on activities. A 4D multisensory show tells the story of how the national servicemen among us defends the Singapore way of life, and a digital appreciation display allows visitors to pledge and show their appreciation to them.
44. The NS55 Showcase, titled “Generations of Strength”
44. NS Through Generations presents the history of NS and how it has evolved over the generations
45. Significant items from each service of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Team were displayed in a Pillar Of Strength structure
46. Visitors can also partake in hands-on activities from the SAF and Home Team
47. The Strength Within is a multisensory 4D short film, complete with light and smoke effects, which showcases how our national servicemen protect and safeguard the Singapore way of life
48. Visitors can pledge and show their appreciation to national servicemen digitally at the In Appreciation zone
Showtime!
Performances were put up by the SAF Parachute Team, also known as the Red Lions, with their free-fall displays, a Day Street Parade and a Night Show. So Drama! Entertainment artistes and dancers also performed on the Main Stage, alongside the SAF Central Band, and army personnel put up Close Combat Displays and Formation Airtime sharing sessions.
49. Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, arrives to officiate the AOH22 Opening Ceremony, accompanied by (L-R) LG Melvyn Ong, Chief of Defence Force, BG David Neo, Chief of Army and COL Xu Youfeng, Chairman AOH22 Executive Committee
50. Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, pushes the button to officially open AOH22
51. The SAF Central Band performs at the AOH22 Opening Ceremony
52. ME4 Ignatius Wang conducts the SAF Central Band performance
53. Audiences were able to get up close and interact with members of the SAF Central Band after their performance
54. The SAF Red Lions exit the RSAF C-130H Hercules for their free-fall display
55. A SAF Red Lion parachutist glides in for a landing
56. The audience waves and take photo shots as the Red Lions comes into show centre
57. The SAF Red Lions gather for a group shot after a successful free-fall display
58. The SAF Red Lions team group huddle to celebrate another successful display
59. SAF Military Police Command Traffic Outriders lead the Day Street Parade
60. The Light Strike Vehicle Mark II makes its way through the F1 pit lane during the Day Street Parade
61. The SAF Central Band strikes up the music for the Day Street Parade
62. Roving groups of Army personnel provide photo opportunities for the visitors
63. Guardsmen advanced in a battle ready stance during the street parade
64. SAF Military Police Command and Special Operations Task Force personnel appear on stage for the street parade
65. The SAF Central Band performs at the Main Stage with a medley of original compositions and pop tunes
66. So Drama! Entertainment dancers perform on the Main Stage with the SAF Central Band
67. The So Drama! Entertainment dancers put up a high-energy dance set
68. The SAF Central Band Drum Major gets the crowd involvement in the performance
69. Army personnel leads a clap along session for the band’s performance
70. Visitors and the SAF Central Band members pose for a group shot
71. Visitors pose for a group shot with the members of the band’s Corps of Drums
72. Guardsmen and their Light Strike Vehicle prepare to depart after the street parade
73. Army personnel doing a takedown move during the Close Combat Display
74. High back-flip kick executed at the Close Combat Display
75. Army personnel of the Close Combat Display
76. So Drama! Entertainment artistes perform on the Main Stage
77. Artistes from So Drama! Entertainment put on a musical performance for visitors to AOH22
78. Formation Airtime segments allow representatives from the various Army formations to share more about their roles with visitors
79. The night Military Tattoo performance featured the SAF Central Band, performances by So Drama! Entertainment and a fireworks display
80. So Drama! Entertainment dancers perform under the night sky
81. Fireworks lit up the night sky at the end of the Military Tattoo display
Activities Galore
This year’s AOH22 also featured a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages, including the popular Kids Zone and Soldier Strong Obstacle Course, and the newly introduced Drone Area which allowed visitors to register and fly their own drones of less than 250 grams. 16 Army Formations were also represented with their own booths, and the Technology Zone allowed visitors to learn about future advanced battlefield technologies. All these activities guaranteed that there is something for everyone to spend a fun and engaging time at AOH22.
82. 16 Singapore Army formations were represented at the Army Formations Zone
83. The SAF Military Working Dogs were extremely popular with visitors for photo opportunities
84. A young visitor takes aim through the night optics of a FN MAG GPMG
85. The Armour booth features radio controlled tanks for a fun driving experience
86. Visitors are introduced to the 120mm mortar of the Artillery formation
87. The Signal booth presented a password challenge hands-on activity for visitors
88. A full-size replica of the MATADOR allowed visitors to have a hands-on experience
89. The Ramp tests the participants ability to hoist themselves up an incline
90. Age was not a barrier at the Soldier Strong Obstacle Course
91. A participant powers through the Swing Trainer obstacle
92. A participant is given pointers on maintaining proper leg posture at the Soldier Strong zone
93. Visitors utilise Night Vision Goggles on a night mission experience complete with smells and sounds in Experience The Night
94. Participants engage in a five-on-five firefight with laser simulated SAR 21 rifles
95. The Firing Range utilised SAR 21 rifles equipped with Smart Magazines to allow visitors to fire at range targets
96. Camouflage face painting and temporary tattoos were a big hit with the children
97. The Jungle Maze provided kids with a mini-experience of navigating through foilage
98. The Drone Zone provided an opportunity for drone enthusiasts to fly their mini drones through an obstacle course
99. Visitors try out the SMASH smart scope mounted on a rifle
100. The currently deployed Unmanned Watch Tower (UWT) system was one of the technologies on display at the Technology Zone
Bonus Photo: Souvenirs in the AOH22 goodie bag that were given to visitors
