​MAJOR (U) ARIF SYAZWI BIN HAJI MD IDRIS
Major (U) Arif Syazwi bin Haji Md Idris assumed command as Wing Commander of No. 5 Wing on 16 December 2024. He joined the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and was appointed as an Officer Cadet on 26 May 2008, upon receiving the RBAF Scholarship to attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). He holds the distinction of being the first Bruneian graduate of USAFA, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering on 23 May 2012 and subsequently being commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF). His foundational training as an RBAirF Engineering Officer continued at the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering, Royal Air Force Cosford, United Kingdom, where he completed the Engineer Officer Foundation Training (Aerosystems), preparing him for the demands of Air Force engineering.
Upon his return, he served as Engineering Officer with No. 55 Squadron and subsequently with No. 51 Squadron. His experience leading maintenance squadrons of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft demonstrates a consistent and notable advancement as an Engineering Officer within the RBAirF. His career also includes staff appointments as OIC Engineering Standards Cell and Staff Officer Grade 2 in the Inspectorate Unit RBAirF. These appointments provided valuable experience, solidifying his understanding of Air Force maintenance operations and honing his leadership, strategic thinking, and organisational skills, complementing his technical expertise.
He then returned to No. 5 Wing, where he served in senior engineering positions, including OC Engineering Support Squadron and Senior Engineering Officer, eventually assuming command of the Wing.
For his professional development, Major (U) Arif attended the Junior Staff Course (JSC) in 2018 and the Command and Staff Course (CSC) in 2022 at the Defence Academy RBAF. After completing his CSC, he was awarded a Graduate Diploma in Defence and Security Studies and also received the prestigious OBOE Endeavour Award from the Australian Government, a distinction granted to outstanding graduates of the RBAF Command and Staff Course. These courses further developed the advanced leadership and strategic thinking skills essential for his current command.
Beyond his military duties, Major (U) Arif is a devoted family man. He is married to Nur Amni binti Mat Serudin, and they have two children. This personal commitment adds another dimension to the portrait of a dedicated officer, balancing the demands of service with the joys and responsibilities of family life.
