LEE KUAN YEW

RSAF's Black Knights could not perform 'Missing Man' formation during State Funeral procession

SINGAPORE - The "Missing Man" formation by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Black Knights, one of the most anticipated elements of the State Funeral procession for Mr Lee Kuan Yew, was not performed on Sunday.

Four Black Knights F-16C aircraft were to fly the Missing Man formation to honour the late Mr Lee as the funeral cortege drove pass Esplanade Bridge.

The Straits Times understands that the jets did an aerial flypast above cloud cover, but could not do the formation due to rainy weather and low visibility.

The planes were likely not visible to the crowds who lined the bridge despite the downpour.

A video of Black Knight aircraft doing a Missing Man formation had gone viral on Sunday, but it was recorded at the rehearsal on Saturday, and not at the State Funeral procession.

The 28-second video, which was uploaded on Facebook, received almost 2,000 likes and was shared almost 4,000 times.

Mr Lee embarked on his final journey at 12.30pm from Parliament House to the University Cultural Centre where the State Funeral service was held.

chuimin@sph.com.sg

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