Changes in Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Air Force

SINGAPORE: Major—General (MG) Ng Chee Meng, currently Chief of Air Force, will take over from Lieutenant—General (LG) Neo Kian Hong as Chief of Defence Force on 27 March.

Brigadier—General (BG) Hoo Cher Mou, currently Chief of Staff—Joint Staff (COS—JS), will assume the appointment of Chief of Air Force on 25 March.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said the changes are part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

LG Neo will be taking up a senior position in the Civil Service after he steps down.

MINDEF said LG Neo, 48, who has been Chief of Defence Force since March 2010, has made significant contributions to transform the SAF into a 3rd Generation fighting force.

Under his leadership, the SAF has carried out its missions effectively.

He has provided deep strategic thinking and clear operational directions for the SAF’s deployments in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden.

LG Neo has also played a key role in strengthening the public’s commitment to defence and Total Defence, through new initiatives such as the SAF—Schools Partnership Programme.

The incoming Chief of Defence Force, MG Ng, 44, joined the SAF in 1986.

As Chief of Air Force since December 2009, he has led the RSAF in achieving a high level of operational readiness and seeing through the successful transformation of the 3rd Generation Air Force.

These include initiatives to train and develop its people, especially in operations and engineering.

MINDEF said his steadfast leadership has also enabled the RSAF to grow as a highly professional force with a strong safety record, centred on people development.

MG Ng has forged close working relations between the RSAF and air forces around the world.

The incoming Chief of Air Force, BG Hoo, 46, has held appointments such as Commanding Officer, 203 Squadron; Head, Air Plans Department; Commander, Air Defence and Operations Command; and Chief of Staff — Air Staff.

— CNA/ir