MINDEF – Republic of Singapore Air Force
Feature | MINDEF

Where Dreams Take Flight

MINDEF – Republic of Singapore Air Force

Military Expert 5 (ME5) Ng Wei Rong  
SAF Engineering Scholarship
Officer Commanding (807 Squadron)
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering – Imperial College London

As protectors of Singapore’s airspace, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) plays a crucial role in keeping Singapore safe. Military Expert 5 (ME5) Ng Wei Rong gives us an insight into what makes our men and women in uniform tick.

Growing up, Military Expert 5 (ME5) Ng Wei Rong did not think of joining the military. After hearing his cousin’s experiences in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), ME5 Ng realised that a military profession would be immensely rewarding. His decision to join the SAF was reinforced by his experiences during Basic Military Training and Officer Cadet School. “I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and people-oriented style of leadership,” he shares, adding that his interest in aviation and military technology sealed his decision to join the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) as an Air Force Engineer.

As the Officer Commanding of the Aerosystems Maintenance Flight in his squadron, the 30-year-old and his men are responsible for the servicing and maintenance of the F-15SG multi-role fighter aircraft, as well as ensuring that the aircraft systems are well-maintained to meet daily operational and training requirements. It is a role in which he’s challenged to solve engineering problems accurately and in a timely manner to ensure that the aircraft is safe to fly.

Honing Essential Competencies

The SAF Engineering Scholarship gave ME5 Ng the opportunity to pursue a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London, which provided him with a firm engineering foundation.

The overseas experiences have also helped to shape ME5 Ng’s leadership philosophy. “Having worked with people from all over the world made me appreciate that there is no single way of doing things, or a one-size fits all solution. It also taught me to listen to the views of others and constantly adapt to new ways of doing things to achieve better results. This has impacted the way I engage with my engineers and technicians today.”

"There is no single way of doing things, or a one-size fits all solution.” Military Expert 5 (ME5) Ng

One of the contributions that ME5 Ng takes pride in is his role in grooming and nurturing the next generation of engineers. "It gives me great joy to see the men under me develop and mature into respected and competent engineers, capable of balancing operational demands and safety in their everyday work."

ME5 Ng also actively encourages innovation in the workplace. “My team presented an engineering innovation and emerged top at the International Exposition on Team Excellence Symposium in 2014. This has gone a long way in building my men’s self-confidence and belief in their own abilities, which sets them in good stead to continue to innovate and break new engineering frontiers at work,” he fondly recalls.

For aspiring scholars, ME5 Ng concludes with these wise words. “A career with the SAF is demanding and challenging, and it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But if you are looking for a career that is purposeful, that is held in high esteem, and that will develop your potential to the fullest, look no further than the SAF. There has never been a dull moment in my career with the SAF thus far, and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I am playing an active part for national defence. Come forth to do the same, and you will not regret it!”