Ng Yat Chung 伍逸松, was Singapore's 5th Chief of Defence Force from 1 April 2003 to 23 March 2007. He was an artillery officer. Ng was an alumnus of Victoria School and Hwa Chong Junior College, and was also a recipient of the SAF Overseas Scholarship. He read mathematics at Cambridge University and earned his MBA at Stanford University. Ng was also the top foreign graduate of the US Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in 1988–89.
Since his enlistment in 1979, Ng has been awarded a number of higher commissions. As Chief of Defence Force since 1 April 2003, Ng laid the transformational blueprint for the 3rd Generation SAF and oversaw its execution. He has led and assisted in many efforts to transform the SAF into a networked, knowledge-based force by increasing integration between the Army, Navy and Airforce and applying new technologies in building up the SAF's force structure.
During his tenure as Chief of Defence Force, Ng has worked to bolster the SAF's full spectrum capabilities to meet new security challenges, such as terrorism and low intensity conflicts, more effectively prosecute peacetime operations, and raise the SAF's capabilities for conventional operations. Ng commanded the deployment of the SAF in peace support operations in East Timor and in humanitarian and disaster relief operations under Operation Flying Eagle in Aceh and Phuket after the tsunami in 2004, as well as to Yogjakarta and to Phitsanulok, Northern Thailand in 2006, following natural disasters. In addition, Ng has helped broaden and deepen the SAF's extensive network of professional relationships with other armed forces, to further Singapore's role as a constructive partner in regional security.
Ng Yat Chung relinquished his post as the Chief of Defence Force on 23 March 2007 to Major-General (MG) Desmond Kuek Bak Chye , and joined Temasek Holdings in a newly created position as its portfolio management managing director. He has since moved to Neptune Orient Lines as its Executive Director, and will become the Group’s next CEO beginning 1 January 2012.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lt. Gen Lim Chuan Poh |
5th Chief of Defence Force 1 April 2003 - 23 March 2007 |
Succeeded by Lt. Gen Desmond Kuek Bak Chye |