The Singapore Armed Forces joined the nation to bid farewell to former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew on Sunday by giving him the highest honours on land, air and sea.

Four ceremonial 25-pounders at the Padang fired the 21-gun salute when the funeral procession passed through the Padang and Old Parliament House.

At the same time, four F-16 fighter jets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s aerial display team, the Black Knights, were supposed to fly overhead in a "missing man" formation.

This is a long-held tradition to honour digitaries who have died or fallen soldiers, but you might have missed it as it was not shown "live" during the television broadcast.

Significance of "Missing Man" formation

The "Missing Man" formation requires the aircraft to fly in a V-shape with two to the left of the flight leader and one on the right. As the V-formation approaches City Hall, the aircraft immediately to the left of the flight leader will leave the formation and head west, signifying the deceased's final flight towards the setting sun.

The other three aircraft will continue on the flight path. What is left is an asymmetric flight of three fighter jets with a visible gap where the departed aircraft used to be.

That last formation is a conspicuous symbol of the Missing Man, to symbolise a painful moment of finality and parting, but life will go on.

As the former primer minister's body crosses the Esplanade Bridge, Patrol Vessels RSS Dauntless and RSS Resilience conducted a ceremonial sailpast off the Marina Barrage as the final salute.

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