Template:Chinese name
Gan Siow Huang | |
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![]() Gan at a change-of-command ceremony | |
Chief of Staff – Air Staff | |
In office July 2019 – March 2020 | |
Preceded by | Tommy Tan Ah Han |
Personal details | |
Born | 1975 Singapore |
Spouse | Lee Jek Suen |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | Republic of Singapore Air Force |
Years of service | 1993–2020 |
Rank | Brigadier-General |
Commands |
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Gan Siow Huang | |||||||
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Simplified Chinese | 颜晓芳 | ||||||
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Gan Siow Huang is a Singaporean former air force general. On 1 July 2015, she was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, becoming the first female general and the highest ranking female officer in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).[1][2] In March 2020, she resigned as Chief of Staff – Air Staff of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.[3]
In October 2016, Singaporean Member of Parliament Low Yen Ling announced in a speech to women rights organisations that Gan is "one notable example who smashed the 'brass ceiling' to become the first female general in the SAF".[4]
After her pre-university education in Victoria Junior College, Gan received a Singapore Armed Forces Merit Scholarship (Women) in 1993 and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science from the London School of Economics. She attended the New Zealand Defence College's command and staff course in 2003.[5] In 2010, she graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan Fellows Program.[6]
Gan was a weapon systems officer by training. Throughout her military career, she has held command and staff appointments in the SAF, including Commanding Officer of the 203 Squadron, Commander of Air Surveillance and Control Group and was Head of the Joint Manpower Department in the Ministry of Defence.[7] Gan succeeded Brigadier-General Neo Hong Keat as Commander of the Air Power Generation Command on 5 October 2016. In July 2019, Gan was appointed Chief of Staff – Air Staff, succeeding Brigadier-General Tommy Tan Ah Han. In March 2020, she resigned as Chief of Staff – Air Staff.[3]
Gan was also an executive committee member of the Girl Guides Singapore in 2016 and 2017.[8]
Gan received the Public Administration Medal (Military) in 2013.[9]
On 22 March 2020, Gan was spotted with Defence Minister and Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Ng Eng Hen at a walkabout in Bishan, fuelling speculation that she could be fielded as a People's Action Party candidate at the next general election.[3]
On 26 June 2020, Gan was officially introduced by PAP Vice-Chairman Masagos Zulkifli as a candidate contesting in the upcoming elections on 10 July 2020.[10] She is currently contesting Marymount SMC in the 2020 Singaporean general election.[11]
Gan is married to Lee Jek Suen, a former Navy officer. They have three children.[12]