National Day Parade 2020

SPECIAL FEATURE | 55 IMAGES


Amidst the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) has taken on a more significant meaning with its theme “Together, A Stronger Singapore”. It has been a challenging time for the nation since the start of the pandemic, but the NDP has always being held, regardless of weather or crisis such as the 2003 SARS outbreak. The focus of NDP2020 however, has been greatly changed to cater to the safety and well being of the participants and public as the highest priority. Therefore, NDP2020 was split into two main segments with this in mind.

Morning Segment

The parade returned to the Padang this year, but with some major changes. Firstly, in addition to the State Colours party, there were only four Guard of Honour contingents from the Singapore Army, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF). They were accompanied by a Combined Band contingent, made up of members from the Singapore Armed Forces and SPF bands, and each of the contingents had about half the usual number of participants. Secondly, for the first time in NDP history, the Presidential 21-Gun Salute was fired on the Padang grounds together with the parade contingents.

The traditional State Flag Flypast by the RSAF’s CH-47SD Chinook and AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters continued after they had passed the Padang, as they made their way over to other parts of the island, flying over major housing estates and public areas. This year is the first time that two State Flags are flown as part of NDP, and also marks the first time a female pilot, Captain Trixie Tang, will be flying a Chinook in the State Flag flypast. The roar of the six F-15SG Strike Eagles also presented a new first as it flew an extended 30-minute, 170 nautical miles route after flying past the Padang. This Roar of Unity brought the Delta formation over eight hospitals and heartlands in a tribute to the frontline fighters and essential services workers.

Back on the ground, the parade held a Nationwide Anthem Moment, where the State Flag was raised at the Padang together with concurrent flag-raising ceremonies at seven other locations, all representing key national sectors such as Transport, Housing and Community and Education. The parade contingents also executed a Salute to Frontline Fighters and Essential Workers, for the many unsung heroes who have stepped up during this COVID-19 period in the country.

Concurrently, a few other events were also taking place across the island as part of the Morning Segment activities. At Sengkang and Jurong East, the Red Lions executed a freefall display, landing in fields near Sengkang General Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. The mobile column consisted of five packets of 13 vehicles each, starting from five locations in the heartlands and travelling a total of about 200km. As they passed by the hospitals in their respective routes, they executed either a moving salute or a salute moment. Off Marina South, thirteen vessels from the RSN, Police Coast Guard, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Maritime Port Authority of Singapore performed a 4km maritime sailpast. All these event shared a common purpose – to salute and pay tribute to frontline and essential workers.

Evening Segment

At the Star Performing Arts Centre, in replacement of mass performances, a smaller evening celebratory show was held, a first for a NDP at an indoor venue. Featuring everyday Singaporeans and local celebrities, the six acts of the show (Our Singapore, When Things Change, Challenges We Face, Stepping Up, Coming Together, A Stronger Singapore) conveyed the messages of resilience, solidarity, optimism and hope, through real stories of Singaporeans during this pandemic. The inaugural NDP Virtual Choir was also launched at the show, and it culminated in a finale with the Nationwide Pledge Moment, the Light-Up Moment and concluding with a fireworks display across more than 10 locations in Singapore.

Despite the many changes to this year’s NDP, Singaporeans were still able to celebrate safely the significance of 9 August, and in this challenging period, to unite together as one people and emerged as a stronger Singapore for the future.

Photo Gallery

To celebrate the 55th year of Singapore’s independence, the MAphotoSG team has selected 55 shots taken, related to this year’s NDP. We hope you’ll enjoy them and relive the key moments of the day.

The Singapore Armed Forces Red Lions Freefall team jump out of a RSAF C-130H Hercules to begin their descent.01. The Singapore Armed Forces Red Lions Freefall team jump out of a RSAF C-130H Hercules to begin their descent.

The Red Lions Freefall team member with a SG UNITED banner.02. A Red Lions Freefall team member descends with a “SG UNITED” banner in the heartlands.

Spectators watch as the Red Lions descent into the heartlands in Sengkang.03. Spectators watch as the Red Lions descent into the heartlands in Sengkang.

A Red Lion comes in for a landing near the Sengkang General Hospital.04. A Red Lion comes in for a landing near the Sengkang General Hospital.

A Red Lion with the State Flag comes in for a landing after their freefall descent.05. A Red Lion with the State Flag comes in for a landing after their freefall descent.

2nd Warrant Officer Shirley Ng completes her second NDP participation jump, her first being in 2014.06. 2nd Warrant Officer Shirley Ng completes her second NDP participation jump, her first being in 2014.

Some of the artwork designs that were featured on the Singapore Together Pack.07. Some of the artwork designs that were featured on the Singapore Together Pack.

LTC Nicholas Ong goes through final preparations before the start of the parade.08. The Parade Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Nicholas Ong, goes through final preparations before the start of the parade.

Master Warrant Officer (MWO) David Ling is the Parade Regimental Sergeant Major for this year's Parade@Padang.09. Master Warrant Officer (MWO) David Ling is the Parade Regimental Sergeant Major for this year’s Parade@Padang.

LTC Nicholas Ong, Parade Commander (left) and MWO David Ling, Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (right)10. LTC Nicholas Ong, Parade Commander (left) and MWO David Ling, Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (right)

Military Expert 2 (ME2) Jash Chua is the Drum Major for the Combined Band contingent for the Parade@Padang.11. Military Expert 2 (ME2) Jash Chua is the Drum Major for the Combined Band contingent for the Parade@Padang.

Band members of the Combined Band contingent make last minute adjustments before preparing to form up for the parade.12. Band members of the Combined Band contingent make last minute adjustments before preparing to form up for the parade.

The Combined Band contingent leads the contingents march in for the Parade@Padang.13. The Combined Band contingent leads the contingents march in for the Parade@Padang.

The State Flag and Giuard of Honour contingents march in to form up the parade.14. The State Flag and Guard of Honour contingents march in to form up the parade.

The State Flag is prepared for hoisting during a parade rehearsal.15. The State Flag is prepared for hoisting during a parade rehearsal.

The State Flag flies past the Padang with Parliament House in the foreground.16. The State Flag flies past the Padang with Parliament House in the foreground.

National Anthem moment at Padang as the State Flag flies over the parade.17. National Anthem moment at Padang as the State Flag flies over the parade.

A lone CH-47D Chinook circles off the southern coast with the State Flag, awaiting the arrival of the AH-64D Apache Longbows.18. A lone CH-47D Chinook circles off the southern coast with the State Flag, awaiting the arrival of the AH-64D Apache Longbows.

The State Flag flies towards the eastern coast after passing the Padang.19. The State Flag flies towards the eastern coast after passing the Padang.

The Army Guard of Honour contingent stands at ease during the Parade@Padang.20. The Army Guard of Honour contingent stands at ease during the Parade@Padang.

Madam President Halimah Yacob inspects the Guard of Honor President contingents.21. President Halimah Yacob inspects the Guard of Honour contingents.

A round is fired off the 25-pounder Ceremonial Gun during the Presidential 21-Gun Salute.22. A round is fired off the 25-pounder Ceremonial Gun during the Presidential 21-Gun Salute.

Frontal shot of a 25-pounder Ceremonial Gun firing during the Presidential 21-Gun Salute.23. Frontal shot of a 25-pounder Ceremonial Gun firing during the Presidential 21-Gun Salute.

A dragonfly is captured landing on the sword tip of the Air Force Guard of Honour contingent commander.24. A dragonfly is captured landing on the sword tip of the Air Force Guard of Honour contingent commander.

The Air Force Guard of Honour contingent fires off a round during the Feu de Joie (Fire of Joy) at the Parade@Padang.25. The Air Force Guard of Honour contingent fires off a round during the Feu de Joie (Fire of Joy) at the Parade@Padang.

A gunner crew from the Presidential 21-Gun Salute salutes our Frontline Fighters during the Parade@Padang.26. A gunner crew from the Presidential 21-Gun Salute salutes the frontline fighters and essential services workers during the Parade@Padang.

Flight crew of a F-15SG during take off from Paya Lebar Airbase for the Roar of Unity flypast.27. Flight crew of a F-15SG during take off from Paya Lebar Airbase for the Roar of Unity flypast.

The Roar of Unity flight consists of six F-15SGs from 142 and 149 Squadrons of the RSAF. Singapore flags can be seen in some of the cockpits.28. The Roar of Unity flight consists of six F-15SGs from 142 and 149 Squadrons of the RSAF. Singapore flags can be seen in some of the cockpits.

The Roar of Unity flight overflies Sengkang General Hospital.29. The Roar of Unity flight overflies Sengkang General Hospital.

Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Nicholas Ong, Parade Commander, marches off the contingents at the Parade@Padang.30. LTC Nicholas Ong, Parade Commander, marches off the contingents at the Parade@Padang.

The Army Guard of Honour marches past during the Parade@Padang.31. The Army Guard of Honour marches past during the Parade@Padang.

The Navy Guard of Honour contingent marches off during the Parade@Padang.32. The Navy Guard of Honour contingent marches off during the Parade@Padang.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong takes a wefie with spectators at the end of the Parade@Padang.33. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong takes a wefie with spectators at the end of the Parade@Padang.

The RSN Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank, RSS Endeavour, leads the entire Maritime Sailpast fleet off the Marina South coast.34. The RSN Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank, RSS Endeavour, leads the entire Maritime Sailpast fleet off the Marina South coast.

The RSN Victory-class Missile Corvette, RSS Valour, sails past the Marina South Coast during a Maritime Sailpast rehearsal.35. The RSN Victory-class Missile Corvette, RSS Valour, sails past the Marina South Coast during a Maritime Sailpast rehearsal.

The Police Coast Guard PH-class Coastal Patrol Craft, White Shark, and PT-class Patrol Interdiction Boat, sail past during the Maritime Sailpast rehearsal.36. The Police Coast Guard PH-class Coastal Patrol Craft, White Shark, and Navy’s Combatant Class Medium, sail past during the Maritime Sailpast rehearsal.

Lieutenant-General (LG) Melvyn Ong, Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces, greets RSAF airmen at a mobile column rehearsal at Tuas.37. Lieutenant-General (LG) Melvyn Ong, Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces, greets RSAF airmen at a mobile column rehearsal at Tuas.

The Singapore Army's Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle is loaded onto a flatbed at the end of a Mobile Column rehearsal in Tuas.38. The Singapore Army’s Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle is loaded onto a flatbed at the end of a Mobile Column rehearsal in Tuas.

Singapore Army's Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle takes to the roads as part of the Mobile Column.39. The Singapore Army’s Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle takes to the roads as part of the Mobile Column.

Singapore Police Force's latest fast response car takes part in the Mobile Column.40. The Singapore Police Force Next-Generation Fast Response Car makes its debut in this year’s Mobile Column.

Crowds cheer as the Leopard 2SG rolls through the heartlands as part of the Mobile Column.41. Crowds cheer as the Leopard 2SG rolls through the heartlands as part of the Mobile Column.

A Leopard 2SG leads the Mobile Column as it enters into the heartlands.42. A Leopard 2SG leads the Mobile Column as it enters into the heartlands.

20200809-DSC_274743. Tank commanders of the Leopard 2SG salutes the medical staff of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.

Frontline fighters were onboard some of the Mobile Column vehicles as they made their way through the heartlands.44. Frontline fighters were onboard some of the Mobile Column vehicles as they made their way through the heartlands.

Spectators cheer the frontline fighters and essential services workers in the Mobile Column.45. Spectators cheer the frontline fighters and essential services workers in the Mobile Column.

An RSAF F-15SG Strike Eagle returns back to base after completing the Roar of Unity.46. An RSAF F-15SG Strike Eagle returns back to base after completing the Roar of Unity.

"Everything I Am", composed by Joshua Wan, is performed by Nathan Hartono at the NDP 2020 Evening Show.47. “Everything I Am”, composed by Joshua Wan, is performed by Nathan Hartono at the NDP 2020 Evening Show.

Dancers perform "The Storm", set against Erik Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1, at the NDP 2020 Evening Show.48. Dancers perform “The Storm”, set against Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1, at the NDP 2020 Evening Show.

Umar Sirhan sings "Everyday Heroes", composed by Dick Lee, against a backdrop montage of frontline fighters and essential services workers.49. Umar Sirhan sings “Everyday Heroes”, composed by Dick Lee, against a backdrop montage of frontline fighters and essential services workers.

810_093050. Stefanie Sun performs the duet “Stay With You”, originally written in Chinese, with JJ Lin and cellist Heema Izzati.

800_238951. Artistes and performers gather for “A Stronger Singapore” segment at the Evening Show before the Finale.

Changi General Hospital with a tribute light up by MJD. Pro during the NDP period.52. Changi General Hospital with a tribute light up by MJD. Pro during the NDP period.

Light up at St. Andrew's Community Hospital by MJD. Pro, saluting the frontline healthcare heroes during this NDP period.53. Light up at St. Andrew’s Community Hospital by MJD. Pro, saluting the frontline healthcare heroes during this NDP period.

The National Museum of Singapore is lighted up with a National Day Facade Projection till the end of August.54. The National Museum of Singapore is lighted up with a National Day Facade Projection till the end of August.

image55. Fireworks at various locations across the island brings the NDP 2020 celebrations to a climatic end.

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