RIMBA, Friday, 25 September 2015 – With the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Royal Brunei Air Force has received a new commander. The change of command ceremony for the Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force was between Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip and Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah. The changeover ceremony took place on 25th September 2015 at the Parade Square of the Headquarters of the Royal Brunei Air Force at Rimba Air Base. The appointment of the new commander takes effect on 26th September 2015.
The ceremony was attended by Defence Advisers from China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, Senior Officers and their spouses, Officers, Airmen, Airwomen and non-uniformed personnel of the Royal Brunei Air Force. The ceremony started with the outgoing Commander inspecting the Guard of Honour by the Royal Brunei Air Force personnel and delivering his final speech before signing the certificate with the newly appointed Commander. The newly appointed Commander then proceeded to inspect the Guard of Honour and delivered his speech before ending the ceremony. The itinerary of the ceremony was followed by a Tree Planting Ceremony outside the Royal Brunei Air Force Headquarters.
Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip, the 12th Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force with effect on 7th December 2012. He joined Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) as an apprentice in Boys Company from 1982 to 1983. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1984 upon successfully graduating from a prestigious Air Force Academy, the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, United Kingdom. He started his flying career as a student pilot at No.3 Squadron Basic Flying Training School (BFTS), in the Training Wing of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) from 1984 to 1986. On Successful completion of his flying training he was posted to No.1 Squadron (Sqn), Operations Wing (Ops Wg) of RBAirF as a co-pilot on the Bell 212 Helicopter.
He attained his combat Ready (Select) status 6 months after and served as Bell 212 fully operational pilot for about 3 years with No.1 Sqn, Ops Wg RBAirF. He subsequently underwent fast Jet Flying Training at Royal Air Force Church Fenton, Yorkshire, United Kingdom in 1989 (Refresher Fast Jet Course for 82 flight hours on the jet Provost Mk5). He then continued the Advanced Flying Training on the Hawk T Mk1 at the Royal Air Force Valley, Holy head, Wales. He was also selected to pioneer the Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft Program and was sent to Messey Air University, School of Aviation, at Palmerstone North New Zealand to obtain his Multi-engine Pilot License in 1994. On the completion of the course, he was awarded with Multi-engine Pilot License and Pilot Wing.
In early 1997 he was sent to Halim Pardanakoesumo Air Force Base in Jakarta to do a conversion Flying training at No.2 Sqn on the Indonesian Air Force CN-235 Twin Engine Military Reconnaissance Aircraft. On successful completion of the conversion training in November 1997, he flew the first CN-235 Twin Engine Military Aircraft to Brunei and established No.5 Sqn Ops Wg, RBAirF which was officially formed on 12 December 1997.
In his 33 years of service, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi has held various key command and staff appointments in the RBAF and the Ministry of Defence. These include Staff Officer Grade 2 Admin, Staff Officer Grade 2 Operations, Squadron Commander of No.5 Squadron, Operation Wing, Staff Officer Grade 2 to the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Military Assistance to the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Commanding Officer Operation Wing Royal Brunei Air Force. In 2007, he was appointed as the Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. In 2011, He was then appointed as the Director of Personnel at the Ministry of Defence Brunei Darussalam in 2011.
On 24 May 2013, by the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam he was promoted to Brigadier General. Throughout his service, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip has attended several local and overseas courses. He has also attended various seminars, conferences, workshops and symposiums on area of humanitarian and disaster relief operation, peacekeeping operation and search and rescue operation. They included SAR Executive Planner Workshops organized by the civil Aviation Authority Brunei (CAA Brunei), Flight Safety and Flight Supervisor Course at Royal Air Force Bently Priory United Kingdom, Maritime Surveillance Course at the Australian Defence Force Warfare Center (ADFWC) Wellington Australia, Maritime Surveillance Course at the Singapore Armed Forces Military Training Institute (SAFTI MI) Republic of Singapore, Electronic Warfare Symposium (EW 1996 Malaysia). Multinational Cooperation Assistance Program (MCAP 2005, Japan), Proliferation of Security Initiatives (PSI 2005, Darwin Australia), and ASEAN+3 workshop on the Participation in International Disaster Relief Operation, China ASEAN Dialogue by Senior Defence Scholars on Regional Security Mechanism and Defence Policy in China between 2007 and 2008. Recently, he attended the Leadership for the 21st Century: Chaos, Conflict and Courage in Oct 2011 at Harvard Kennedy School, United States of America.
Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi was awarded with several decorations which include SMB, PJP KDYMM, PJP ABDB, PKLPB, PKmdkn, GSM, PCM (PLA Commemorative Medal). He was also awarded with honorary pilot wings by the Indonesian Air Force (1997), Republic of Singapore Air Force (2013) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (Sept, 2013). Subsequently he was awarded the PCM during his tour as Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Beijing Republic of China for his contribution towards enhancing the bilateral relationship between Brunei Darussalam and people Republic of China. In 2014, he was conferred with Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [or Meritorious Service Medal (Military)] in recognition of his significant contributions in fostering excellent defence ties between the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). On 4th Dec 2014, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi was awarded the Honorary Malaysian Armed Forces Orders for Valour (First Degree) – Galant Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
On 14 August 2014, His Majesty's bestowed the Darjah Pahlawan Negara Brunei Yang Amat Perkasa Darjah Pertama (PSPNB) which carries the title Dato Seri Pahlawan to Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi.
The new commander, Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah assumed the command as the 13th Commander of the Royal Brunei Airforce. Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar was enlisted into the Royal Brunei Armed Forces in January 1986. In October 1986, he graduated from the Initial Officer Training (IOT) at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Cranwell, the United Kingdom. After completing his basic flying training, he started his operational flying career at the No 1 Sqn, Operations Wing. In 1997, he was transferred to the No.4 Sqn holding the appointment of Flight Commander Operations. In 1999, Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar attended the Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI) course, in the United Kingdom.
In July 2000, Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar attended the 4th Advanced Command & Staff Course (ACSC) at the Joint Services Command & Staff College, United Kingdom. On his return to Brunei in August 2001, he held the post of Squadron Commander for No. 4 Sqn before holding the appointment of Staff Officer Grade 2 (SO2) Operations in the Royal Brunei Air Force. In 2006, he was appointed as the Commanding Officer (CO) of Training Wing in the Royal Brunei Air Force. In 2010, Colonel (U) Shahril held the appointment as the Defence Adviser of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia. In 2012, he attended the Australia’s Centre of Defence and Strategic Studies (ADDSS) at the Australian Defence College. Upon completion of this course in December 2012, he was posted to the Directorate of Force Capability Development, holding the post as the Director.
TENTERA UDARA DIRAJA BRUNEI MENERIMA PUCUK PIMPINAN YANG BARU
RIMBA, Jumaat 25 September 2015 - Atas Titah perkenan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei hari ini telah menerima Pucuk Pimpanan yang baru. Upacara serah terima tugas bagi Pemerintah Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei adalah di antara Brigedier Jeneral (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip dan Kolonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah. Upacara berlangsung pada 25hb September 2015 di Padang Kawad Pangkalan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei, Rimba. Perlantikan pemerintah baru ini berkuat kuasa mulai 26hb September 2015.
Upacara tersebut telah dihadiri oleh Penasehat Pertahanan, Negara China, Indonesia, Filipina, Thailand, Singapura dan Vietnam, Pegawai-Pegawai Kanan bersama isteri-isteri, Pegawai-Pegawai, anggota-anggota udara lelaki dan wanita dan kakitangan awam Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei. Majlis bermula dengan pemerintah yang akan bersara memeriksa Kawalan Kehormatan yang terdiri dari anggota Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei dan seterusnya menyampaikan ucapan yang terakhir sebelum menandatangani sijil dengan pemerintah yang baru. Acara diteruskan lagi dengan Upacara Menanam Pokok diluar Markas Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei.
Brigedier Jeneral (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi merupakan Pemerintah Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei yang ke 12 sejak 7hb Disember 2012. Beliau menyertai Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) sebagai perintis di dalam Askar Muda dari tahun 1982 hingga 1983. Beliau ditauliahkan sebagai Leftenan Muda pada bulan Disember 1984 selepas menamatkan latihan dengan jayanya di Akademi Tentera Udara, Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, United Kingdom.
Beliau memulakan kerjaya penerbangan beliau sebagai juruterbang No.3 Skuadron Sekolah Penerbangan Latihan Asas di Cawangan Latihan dari tahun 1984 hingga 1986. Selepas menamatkan latihan penerbangan beliau, beliau telah ditempatkan di No.1 Skuadron, Cawangan Gerakan sebagai co-pilot pesawat Bell 212. Enam bulan kemudiannya, Brigedier Jeneral (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi memperolehi Ready (Select) status dan seterusnya berkhidmat secara sepenuhnya sebagai juruterbang operasional bagi pesawat Bell 212 selama 3 tahun di No 1 Skuadron.
Brigedier Jeneral (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi kemudiannya menghadiri latihan Pesawat Pejuang di Royal Air Force Church Fenton, Yorkshire, United Kingdom pada tahun 1989 (Refresher Fast Jet Course for 82 flight hours on the jet Provost Mk5). Beliau kemudiannya meneruskan Latihan Penerbanan peringkat Lanjutan menggunakan pesawat Hawk T Mk1 di Royal Air Force Valley, Holyhead, Wales. Beliau juga telah terpilih sebagai perintis bagi Program Pesawat Peninjau Maritim dan telah dihantar bagi menjalani latihan di Messey Air University, School of Aviation di Palmerstone, North New Zealand bagi memperolehi lesen juruterbang multi-engine pada tahun 1994.
Pada awal tahun 1997, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip telah menghadiri conversion flying training di Pangkalan Udara Halim Pardanakoesumo, Jakarta dengan menggunakan Pesawat Peninjau Tentera jenis TNI-AU CN-235. Selepas menamatkan latihan terebut pada bulan November 1997, beliau telah menerbangkan pesawat CN-235 ke Negara Brunei Darussalam (NBD) dan seterusnya menubuhkan No.5 Skuadron, Cawangan Gerakan yang mana telah dirasmikan pada 12 Disember 1997.
Dalam tempoh lebih daripada 30 tahun perkhidmatan beliau, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip telah memegang pelbagai jenis jawatan di dalam Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei dan juga Kementerian Pertahanan. Ini termasuk, Timbalan Pegawai Turus Pentadbiran, Timbalan Pegawai Turus Gerakan, Pemerintah Skuadron No. 5 Skuadron di Cawangan Gerakan, Timbalan Pegawai Turus kepada Pemerintah Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei, Pembantu Tentera kepada Pemerintah Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei dan Pegawai Pemerintah Cawangan Gerakan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei. Pada tahun 2007, beliau telah dilantik sebagai Atase Pertahanan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke Republik Rakyat China. Pada tahun 2011, beliau telah memegang jawatan Pengarah Keanggotaan dan kemudiannya pada 7 Disember 2012, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip mula menjawat jawatannya sekarang iaitu sebagai Pemerintah Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei.
Dengan Titah Perkenan Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, pada 24 Mei 2014, beliau telah dinaikkan pangkat kepada Brigedier Jeneral.
Sepanjang perkhidmatan beliau, Brigedier Jeneral (U) Haji Wardi telah menghadiri pelbagai kursus tempatan dan luar negara. Beliau juga telah menghadiri pelbagai seminar, persidangan dan bengkel serta simposium di dalam bidang operasi bantuan kemanusiaan dan bencana alam, operasi pengaman dan operasi mencari dan menyelamat (SAR). Ini termasuk SAR Executive Planner Workshops yang telah dikelolakan oleh Civil Aviation Authority Brunei, Flight Safety and Flight Supervisor Course di Royal Air Force Bently Priory United Kingdom, Maritime Surveillance Course di Australian Defence Force Warfare Center Wellington Australia, Maritime Surveillance Course di Singapore Armed Forces Military Training Institute (SAFTI MI) Republik Singapura, Electronic Warfare Symposium pada tahun 1996 di Malaysia, Multinational Cooperation Assistance Program pada tahun 2005 di Jepun, Proliferation of Security Initiatives pada tahun 2005 di Darwin Australia dan bengkel ASEAN+3 bagi Penglibatan di dalam Bantuan Bencana Alam Antarabangsa di China serta ASEAN Dialogue by Senior Defence Scholars on Regional Security Mechanism and Defence Policy di China di antara tahun 2007 dan 2008. Terkini, beliau menghadiri Leadership for the 21st Century: Chaos, Conflict and Courage pada bulan Oktober 2011 di Harvard Kennedy School, Amerika Syarikat.
Brigedier Jeneral (U) Haji Wardi telah dianugerahkan dengan menerima sebilangan pingat yang termasuk SMB, PJP KDYMM, PJB ABDB, PKLPB, PKMdkn, GSM, PCM (PLA Commemorative Medal). Beliau juga telah dianugerahkan lencana juruterbang kehormat dari Massey Air University New Zealand (1995), Tentera Udara Indonesia – Angkatan Udara (1997) dan Tentera Udara Republik Singapura (2013). Semasa perkhidmatan beliau sebagai Atase Pertahanan kepadada NBD di Bejing, Republik Rakyat China, beliau telah dianugerahkan pingat PCM sebagai penghargaan terhadap usaha beliau dalam menguatkan hubungan dua hala di antara NBD dan Republik Rakyat China. Dalam tahun 2014, Brigedier Jeneral (U) Haji Wardi telah dikurniakan Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) dalam sebagai pengiktirafan terhadap sumbangan penting beliau di dalam memelihara dan mempertingkankan lagi hubungan pertahanan di antara Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei dan Tentera Udara Republik Singapura.
Kolonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah mengambil alih pucuk pimpinan sebagai Pemerintah Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei yang ke 13. Kolonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah mejadi Timbalan Pemerintah, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei. Semenjak 19hb Disember 2014. Beliau menyertai Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei pada bulan Januari 1986. Beliau ditauliahkan sebagai Leftenan Muda pada bulan Oktober 1986 selepas menamatkan latihan di Akademi Tentera Udara, Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, United Kingdom.
Selepas menamatkan latihan asas penerbangan, beliau memulakan kerjaya penerbangan operasi di No.11 Sqn, No.1 Wing. Pada tahun 1997, beliau telah dipindahkan ke No.14 Sqn memegang jawatan Penerbangan Operasi Komander. Pada tahun 1999, Kolonel (U) Shahril Anwar menghadiri kursus Jurulatih Helikopter Berkelayakan (QHI) di United Kingdom.
Pada bulan Julai 2000, Kolonel (U) Shahril Anwar menghadiri 4th Advanced Command & Staff Course (ACSC) di Joint Services Command & Staff College, United Kingdom. Sekembalinya ke Brunei pada Ogos 2001, beliau memegang jawatan sebagai Komander Skuadron No.14 Sqn sebelum memegang jawatan Pegawai Turus Operasi dalam Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei.
Pada tahun 2006, Beliau telah dilantik sebagai Pegawai Pemerintah No.7 Wing. Pada tahun 2010, Kolonel (U) Shahril dilantik sebagai Penasihat Pertahanan Negara Brunei Darussalam ke Malaysia.Beliau telah menghadiri Australia’s Centre of Defence and Strategic Studies (ADDSS) di Australian Defence College. Setelah tamat kursus pada bulan Disember 2012, beliau ditugaskan ke Direktorat Pasukan Pembangunan Keupayaan, memegang jawatan sebagai Pengarah.
