SINGAPORE: As part of National Day celebrations, Singaporeans will be able to catch a sight of helicopters and the state flag flying by in the heartlands on Aug 9.

Into its sixth year, the Fly Our Flag segment will feature two CH-47 heavy lift helicopters, each escorted by two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, carrying the state flag across the island from 5.30pm to 6.20pm.

There will be two routes, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Thursday (Jul 10).

The western route will include locations such as Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong and West Coast.

The eastern route will comprise areas such as Seletar, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok and East Coast.

AERIAL DISPLAYS AT PADANG AND MARINA BAY AREA

As part of the pre-parade segment this year, the Red Lions and naval divers will be transported over the Padang and Marina Bay respectively before their descent for the inaugural Jump of Unity.

During the parade and ceremony segment, there will also be a series of aerial displays to demonstrate the Singapore Armed Forces’ capabilities in commemoration of SG60, MINDEF said.

Two special aerial displays will be showcased, it added.

Firstly, six F-15SG fighters will conduct an SG60 tribute in a delta formation, with the outer wingmen turning outwards before transiting into full afterburner climbs to symbolise continued peace and prosperity for the nation.

The remaining four F-15SG fighters will continue to fly through in a diamond formation.

Secondly, four F-16 fighters will execute a diamond cross turn, with the left and right wingmen breaking to the left and right respectively, followed by lead aircraft breaking to the left and the final aircraft breaking to the right.

There will also be a state flag flypast across the Padang during the national anthem, and an enhanced salute to the nation during the parade and ceremony segment.

The enhanced salute will see six F-15SG fighters executing an enhanced bomb burst manoeuvre with afterburners in a delta formation. This will be followed by four F-16 fighters flying through in a diamond formation to signify Singapore’s diamond jubilee over the Padang after the national anthem.

The mobile column will also integrate with an aerial flypast comprising 22 aircrafts in four formations over the Padang for the first time at a National Day celebration, MIN...