Air Cdre Hyde took over to develop the RMAF further during his short service of just over a year as the CAS. He started recruiting officers and other ranks from the MAAF, FMATC, the FMC Boys Wing and the schools. He sent them for training at RAF training establishments in UK and Singapore. For local training, a Flying Training School using Chipmunks from the MAAF and a Technical Training School was set up. He also ordered more Twin Pioneer ans Single Pioneer aircraft for the fledgling Air Force.

Gp Capt John Stacey had more time as CAS of the RMAF. With the 12-year Emergency ending, he had more opportunity to attend to building up the RMAF, which had its first Base to house its two squadrons with the transfer of the RAF Station Kuala Lumpur on 25 Oct 60. He brought into service the Cessna-310F for VIP transport, which later was expanded to Doves and Herons. French Alouette III helicopters and the Handley Page Dart Herald medium range transports were also ordered. With more trained personnel returning home to take their places, the RMAF was soon recognised as a valuable service in support of Army operations.

Air Cdre West came as CAS when trouble was brewing. "Konfrontasi" was launched by President Soekarno of Indonesia in protest to the formation of Malaysia on 16 Sep 63. Thus this Air Force, now known as the Royal Malaysian Air Force, with its Pioneers, Alouettes, Doves, Herons and Heralds manned by both young Malaysians, RAF, RAAF and RNZAF seconded personnel supported the Army and Police in the fight for survival of the nation. Two new bases were also added, namely the Flying Training School at Alor Star (now using Piston Provost trainer aircraft) and the School of Technical Training at Kinrara.

Air Cdre Steedman was responsible for beefing up the RMAF with the Canadian CL41G Tebuan for CAS/COIN, the Canadian DHC-4 Caribou for STOL operations and the US-made medium helicopter the Sikorsky S61A-4 Nuri. Two new bases at Kuantan and Labuan also became operational. His period as CAS was most significant, in that he also Malaysianised the post. He was fortunate in having a qualified Malay officer, a Flight Lieutenant Sulaiman Sujak who was then in the RAF as a Hunter pilot and then as QFI at the RAF College Cranwell. He handed over to Sulaiman fully confident that his protege will carry the RMAF to greater heights.

Dato Sulaiman Sujak came back to Malaysia in September 1965 as a Sqn Ldr. His "education" was swift. He started off as the Commandant FTS Alor Setar, then Base Cdr RMAF Labuan in the rank of Wing Commander. Soon after he was recalled to Mindef to under study Air Cdre Steedman. He became a Group Captain. And on 1 Nov 67 Steedman handed over the top job of the RMAF to him and a promotion to Air Commodore. During his 10 years in office, the RMAF expanded in view of the RAF pullout from east of Suez and the escalation of the Vietnam War. During his time a lot happened -- the Bulldog aircraft replaced Provosts; Cessna 402B's introduced for Advanced FTS; the Hercules C130H replaced Dart Heralds; the Pioneers were phased out; executive jets HS125 and F28's phased in; more Nuris were bought, the Australian F86 Avon Sabres introduced and then replaced by F5E's, B's and F's and a basic Helicopter FTS was formed with Bell 47's. An Overhaul Depot, AIROD, was also formed. RMAF Kuching became a Base.

Dato Mohamad Taib took the RMAF one step further. He reorganised it into a two command Air Force -- Ops and Support Command. Ops Command had all operational flying responsibilities while Support Command had all the logistic and training responsibilities "to support the force-in-being." Air Staff Div was only responsible for finances, human resource, air plans and policy. The victory of the Vietnamese over the US in 1975, prompted further expansion of the Malaysian Armed Forces. The RMAF went for A4 Skyhawks, replaced the ageing Tebuans with Aermacchi MB 339A's, replaced the Bulldogs with Pilatus PC-7 turboprop trainers. A ground defence regiment - the HANDAU - was also formed. And the RMAF's own RTC was built in Ipoh. The RMAF also discarded the British RAF rank system and went for the international military rank system.

Tan Sri Mohamad Ngah's period as Chief saw another RMAF reorganisation, with the setting up of Air Defence Command taking all the fighter and maritime assets of Ops Command. Support Command also took all transport and training aircraft assets, thus giving it better means to provide the logistic and training support of the force-in-being. Ops Command was subsequently disbanded. AIROD was privatised. A new maritime squadron was formed at the new Subang Air Base and No 1 Sqn had a couple of Albatross amphibians. Also a new Hughes radar was installed for project MADGE. The RMAF's own Officer Cadet School was also formed. However, with the recession in 1985, most major purchases were defered. Hence, the opportunity was taken to "look inwards" to develop some self-reliance and to enhance training and exercising with the intoduction of several innovative single service exercises for fighter, heli and transport operations.

The Hawk advanced jet trainer, bought under the British MoU programme, arrived for active service during Dato Seri Yunus' time. The Cold War also ended during this time, hence the opportunity was taken to consolidate the RMAF. A new uniform colour and pattern was approved to instil some sagging pride and to reflect the RMAF's coming of age as an equal partner of the Army, rather than being in-support of the Army. A peace time Air Force needs a lot of training and exercising; so this was intensified by having several single service exercises to keep the fighters, helicopters and transport personnel well trained, and to stretch the capabilities of the support infrastructure.

Dato Ghani made further changes to RMAF uniforms; and this time both the officers and other ranks wear uniforms of the same material, style and pattern. Rank insignia went back to the old RAF pattern of bars and stripes. But his most radical effort went to reorganising the RMAF command structure; with Commands becoming known as Air Divisions. Thus Air Defence Command became 1 Div, Support Command split into three -- 2 Div (transport), 3 Div (logistic) and the Air Force College (all training). The old Mawilud II in East Malaysia became 4 Div. New aircraft planned during his two predecessor's time came into the inventory. Thus the Beechraft 200 maritime surveillance, stretched C-130 Hercules, MiG-29 and F/A-18 fighters came into service at a time when many personnel were looking at greener pastures as a result of Malaysia's strong economic growth after the recession. Training had to go high tech with CBTs and simulators to overcome staff shortage and to maximise the availability of better learning techniques.

Gen Dato' Seri Suleiman bin Mahmud, TUDM ( Jun 1, 2001 - Mar 2, 2003)      Gen Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Ahmad, TUDM (Mar 3, 2003 - Apr 3, 2004)      Gen Tan Sri Nik Ismail, TUDM (Apr 4, 2004 to-date)