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SINGAPORE: The best of Singapore's defence capabilities will be on display come Aug 9, as the Mobile Column returns to the National Day Parade (NDP) after five years. Spectators are in for a treat as this year's display will feature machines never seen before in previous parades.
This year's Mobile Column will showcase the strength of the nation with an awe-inspiring display of combat and emergency vehicles. Officers execute their roles with absolute precision - the result of training that began in May.
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Over 170 assets from both the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Home Team will be featured. They will form a two-kilometre long convoy that will move past the Padang.
"This year is Singapore's Golden Jubilee," said Major Cai Dexian, chairman of the NDP's Mobile Column. " And because of that, we believe that every single aspect of the parade and show - we will do our very best to bring a very special experience, a very special show to all Singaporeans.
"The Mobile Column is no different. This year, we wanted to make it special. We want to hark back to the traditions of past Mobile Columns and yet make it brand new in very significant ways."
So while familiar favourites will feature in the Mobile Column, parade-goers will also be introduced to other capabilities - seven of SAF's newest - like the Armoured Engineer Vehicle which can be used to overcome obstacles and allow forces to advance.
The Mobile Column is also set against multimedia videos that tell the stories of those who have contributed to Singapore's security like the pioneers who built the nation's defence and security forces.
Retired colonel Goh Lye Choon participated in the first Mobile Column in 1969. It proved to be an unforgettable experience.
"We received an order from the Ministry of Defence that the Prime Minister wanted us to go on the National Day Parade with 18 tanks," said Mr Goh. "We didn't have a tank driving circuit, we didn't have anything. We had to test the tank for serviceability. So what we did was drive the tank round the camp and round the camp - it was a British camp - they had a six-hole golf course. So we had to test the tanks on the golf course. By the time 18 tanks went through, the course was beyond recognition."
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/national-day-parade-to/1946170.html?cid=FBSG