Breaking News
Sikorsky rewards true grit of pilot
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DESPITE near-zero visibility, a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) major decided to undertake several rescue missions more than 23 years ago. Brig-Gen Datuk Ibrahim Hashim, who was then assigned to the RMAF base in Butterworth, was summoned to lead a rescue mission after Lt Affandi Buang (now Brig-Gen Datuk Affandi) ejected from his A-4 Skyhawk jet fighter over the jungle in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, on March 14, 1988.
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Ernie braves bullets to do job
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Ernie, as he is known among aviators, braved the weather to attend the Malaysia Air Festival at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport yesterday. "I think the MAF is an excellent platform to help educate our younger generation on civil aviation, which is advancing rapidly in this country. "I'm very happy that it will be an annual event."
Ernie, 93, is credited with flying 423 sorties during the Emergency to drop salaries for plantation workers in the interiors. Recalling his days with the Kuala Lumpur Flying Club (now the Royal Selangor Flying Club), Ernie said he and an instructor pilot would drop six to 11kg of leather bags containing 80,000 Malayan dollars (RM45,000 today) to workers."The air drops were the only means for the salaries to reach the workers as land routes were prone to ambush by communists.
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Ex-soldiers can now wear PJM in Britain after a six-year campaign
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GEORGE TOWN: Some 35,000 British war veterans in the United Kingdom can finally wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) following a six-year campaign to overturn a ruling. According to the UK-based Fight4thePJM campaign, the British Government has agreed to reverse the Honours and Decorations (HD) Committee's "accept but not formally wear" decision.
Describing it as a historic day, campaign founding chairman Barry Fleming said the landmark decision was made in the House of Lords yesterday. He said the HD Committee would be instructed to advise the Queen that the PJM would have "unrestricted permission" for wear on all occasions. "The decision would take effect from Remembrance Day on Nov 11," he added.
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Anugerah Innovasi TUDM
  Please click on text image for full article, courtesy of Utusan Malaysia, Wednesday 5 Oct 2011 |
Jaafar Onn insan paling kecewa
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KUALA LUMPUR - Datuk Jaafar Onn, Lt Jen (Bersara) anak kepada pejuang kemerdekaan, Datuk Onn Jaafar muncul insan paling kecewa kerana selepas mempertaruh harta dan nyawa demi memerdekakan negara tetapi akhirnya selepas 54 tahun merdeka, ada pemimpin Melayu yang sanggup mendaulatkan komunis.
Sambil menyifatkan pemimpin Melayu serta pengikut mereka yang mengagungkan komunis sebagai pengkhianat, Jaafar, 79, berkata, beliau masih boleh menerima sekiranya rakyat Malaysia tidak mahu mengiktiraf jasa bapanya, tetapi tidak sesekali memaafkan golongan yang mendewa-dewakan komunis.
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Mat Sabu controversy - Apa Reaksi?
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Click on image to read bigger picture. |
Laluan larian Suwaibah selamat
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KUALA LUMPUR 24 Ogos - Laluan Larian Sahara sejauh 1,111 kilometer yang akan disertai secara solo oleh bekas anggota Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM), Suwaibah Muhammad Nasir mendapat jaminan keselamatan daripada pihak berkuasa Mesir. Pengurus Larian Sahara, Sheikh Ahmad Dusuki Sheikh Mohamad berkata, jaminan itu diberikan pihak berkuasa tersebut semasa Suwaibah mengadakan tinjauan laluan larian berkenaan pada 15 Ogos lalu. Menurut beliau, selain pihak berkuasa, kawalan keselamatan itu turut mendapat kerjasama pemimpin pelbagai kabilah di negara terbabit. Afternote: Larian ditangguhkan ke 21 Mac 2012 disebabkan keadaan keselamatan tak menentu pada bulan November 2011.
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3rd Pioneers get together 2011
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PETALING JAYA: Some 150 former senior officers and guests attended the 3rd Air Force Pioneers' Night at the GAB Tavern in Sungai Way recently. Event convenor Brig-Gen (rtd) Datuk Soon Lian Cheng said the idea, mooted three years ago, was to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Air Force on June 1 this year.
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Penerima PTU, JPP diberi imbuhan RM1,000 sebulan
| TELUK KEMANG 30 Julai - Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini mengumumkan pemberian imbuhan kepada penerima Pingat Tentera Udara (PTU) dan Pingat Jasa Perkasa Persekutuan (JPP) sebanyak RM1,000 sebulan sempena Hari Pahlawan, esok. Beliau berkata, pemberian itu adalah tanda penghargaan kerajaan terhadap jasa yang dicurahkan para penerima dua pingat tersebut. ''Bagi penerima PTU dan JPP yang telah meninggal dunia pula, keluarga masing-masing akan menerima imbuhan sebanyak RM10,000," katanya ketika berucap pada majlis Perbarisan Tamat Latihan Perdana Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM)-Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) siri1/2011 di Pusat Latihan Asas Tentera Darat (Pusasda) di sini, hari ini. Sebelum ini, hanya dua penerima pingat sahaja yang menerima imbuhan iaitu penerima Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) serta Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB), masing-masing menerima RM2,000 dan RM1,500 sebulan. Sementara itu, Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ketika ditemui pemberita berkata, kelulusan pemberian imbuhan itu untuk penerima PTU dan JPP telah diputuskan oleh Kabinet dua minggu lepas. Berita Minggu 31 Julai 2011 |
Maj Nor Ibrahim's new book
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MINGGU lalu saya menerima bungkusan kiriman ke alamat rumah saya di Shah Alam. Ia datang dari Jitra, Kedah. Itu adalah daerah kelahiran saya. Sebelum membukanya saya menjangka mungkin ia surat penting atau amanat yang mahu saya uruskan oleh sanak saudara di sana.
Dengan cermat saya membukanya. Melihat isinya, saya tiba-tiba tersenyum. Sebuah buku daripada seorang teman yang belum pernah saya ketemu, tapi sering bercakap melalui telefon dan melayan surat-suratnya yang sering saya siarkan dalam ruangan Forum pembaca Utusan Malaysia. Saya juga mengenali beliau sebagai aktivis veteran tentera yang sering merayu golongan perajurit diberi perhatian, pengiktirafan oleh kerajaan serta dibalas budi mereka yang pernah menentang kekejaman komunis demi keamanan hari ini. Saya tahu beliau dalam proses menulis sebuah buku. Sering menelefon saya untuk mendapatkan gambar-gambar daripada arkib Utusan Melayu serta bantuan nasihat yang lain. Beliau ialah Mejar Nor Ibrahim Sulaiman. Bekas juruterbang helikopter Nuri berusia 62 tahun. Bukunya bertajuk Coretan X Nuripilot. Tiga hari penuh saya membaca buku setebal 264 muka surat itu. Terus terang saya katakan, jarang saya membaca sebuah buku dengan begitu khusyuk.
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Armed Forces club seeks RM70 million compensation
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The five-decade-old Armed Forces Recreation Club at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Sungai Besi that is earmarked for a multi-billion ringgit development plan. KUALA LUMPUR: The management and members of the five-decade-old Armed Forces Recreation Club (KRAT) at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Sungai Besi here will seek RM70 million in compensation should the premises be taken over for development. Alternatively, the members want the government to retain the golf course as part of the green lung being promoted for the planned Greater Kuala Lumpur project undertaken by parties like the 1MDB.
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Cessna 402B fleet retires from service
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After faithfully serving the Royal Malaysian Air Force for 35 years, the twin-engine, propeller-driven Cessna 402B was decommissioned yesterday (3 Dec 2010). A simple ceremony was held at the RMAF base Subang, where its chief Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud was present. He said one of the Cessnas would be sent to the RMAF museum in Sungai Besi while the rest would be used to teach technical courses. The RMAF took delivery of 10 Cessna 402B initially for advanced flying training of its pilots at the No. 1 flight training school in Alor Star in 1975.
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Terus rayu elaun bagi penerima pingat JPP, PTU, KPK
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ADALAH dimaklumkan bahawa alasan menolak permohonan Kementerian Pertahanan untuk pemberian elaun bagi penerima Jasa Perkasa Persekutuan (JPP), Pingat Tentera Udara (PTU) dan Kepujian Perutusan Keberanian (KPK) ialah bagi mengelakkan penerima-penerima Seri Pahlawan (SP) dan Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB): "... akan terasa kecil hati tiada kelas." Jawapan kepada kedua-dua rayuan pula seperti mana yang sudah diketahui umum:"... tidak wajar dipertimbangkan."
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Pre-RMAF Heroic Flyers
| In December 1941, Loke was seconded to RAF 36 Squadron in the defence of northern Malaya. Loke not only provided his own biplane, a Tiger Moth, but served in the face of great odds until the order came for the few surviving pilots to fly their aircraft away to prevent them from falling into Japanese hands.
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Tough Stewardesses
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MENTION "flight stewardess" and most people would picture a flawless beauty with a warm smile greeting passengers as they board the plane. For others, it would be the sexy batik kebaya, or the crisp white-and-red combo, uniforms worn by female flight attendants of national carrier Malaysia Airlines, and the first low-cost carrier in the country AirAsia respectively.
What about stewards and stewardesses in military aircraft? The first thing that would probably come to the minds of many would be -- are there any? The answer is yes. Meet Sergeant Shaidatul Akma Kamarazaman and Sergeant Rosmawati Jali.
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Roslan is the new Deputy Chief
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Former Chief got his Tan Sri
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It took 5 days to get to NZ
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Reminiscing, Brig Gen Dato Soon said he and Buang were handpicked for Christchurch soon after being commissioned as RMAF Pilot Officers from the Federation Military College after completing cadet training in Port Dickson and, later, Sungai Besi, in December 1961.
"The journey to Christchurch was an arduous one, taking five days and four nights. We first caught a night train from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, then flew from the Royal Air Force Changi base in a RNZAF Hastings aeroplane to Darwin (famed for the Cyclone Tracy devastation in 1974). "On the third day, we flew across Australia to RAAF Amberley base near Brisbane before flying across the Tasman Sea to the RNZAF Whenuapai base near Auckland on the fourth day...
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Flying ace who is passionate about Malaysia
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EVEN the sky is no limit for Major Patricia Yapp Syau Yin. The 34-year-old, the first woman to become a qualified MiG-29N fighter pilot, chose to be in aviation owing to her passion for flying. "It has been my dream. The feeling was indescribable when I first flew one," she said. The Sandakan-born lass said it was important for Malaysians to be thankful to the country as it had given them the opportunities as well as the freedom to decide what they wanted.
"As for me, I dreamt of flying since I was a kid. I am content as I get to do it now, despite remarks from some people on how dangerous it can be, especially for a woman." She said she also cherished being a Malaysian because of its multicultural society. "The best thing about our country is we can experience a lot of different races, cultures and celebrations, and yet we can understand one another in one common language, which is Bahasa Malaysia." Yapp said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had always been her inspiration, because of his commitment in developing a united Malaysia despite the different races. She admired Najib for the 1Malaysia concept, which to her, reflected the beauty of Malaysia. "That is the value that all Malaysians should practise." Yapp, who has been in the air force for 13 years, said Merdeka, to her, was about the freedom and privilege the people achieved through the years as they were not under any other "force".
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| "As a military officer, I must say that I am very proud of the people who had fought for the country.
"They should be appreciated for putting their lives on the line for the security of the nation . "Yapp got her "wings" in 2002 after attending training at the Air Force College in Alor Star, Kedah. She is a member of the RMAF's "Taufan Ganas" aerobatics team, and together with her team-mates, they performed at last year's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition.
Yapp is currently an operational and tactical lead pilot with the No. 17/19 "Smokey Bandits" Squadron in Kuantan that flies the MiG-29N Fulcrum air superiority jets. She married fellow RMAF pilot Captain S. Thayala Kumar Ravi Varman in May. With kind coutesy of New Sunday Times 16 Sep 2010 |
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Tebuan as Gate Guardian
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As you arrive at the Museum entrance, you'd be welcome by a Tebuan perched high on a pedestal. The Tebuan (Canadair CL41G) was the RMAF's first jet trainer cum light attack aircraft that came into service in 1966 and served the RMAF for a good 20 years in spite of being the only 20 aircraft built with the only special GE J85-J4 engines in the world. The RMAF is noted for pushing the envelope of its engineers and techicians and the logistics suppkly syatem to the limit. It was a good aircraft of its time; pity no other air forces bought it.
At the base of the pedestal you'd find also the names of RMAF officers and men who gave up their lives in operations in defence of the realm right from the first emergency through the Indonesian Confrontation and the second emergency until 1989 when Chin Peng and his depleted MCP laid down their arms. |
Two more a/c added to collection
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| Sud Avaiation Alouette III. This helicopter came into service in 1963. It was just recently phased out having served the RMAF and then the Army Air Corp for a total of 47 years. Remarkable indeed | Aermacchi MB 339A. This Italian jet trainer came into service in the early '80s as a replacement for the Tebuan. It served as a jet conversion trainer cum light attack aircraft for the RMAF. It was replaced recently with the newer MB 339C. |
First Air Force chief's memoirs launched
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KUALA LUMPUR: Just 30 seconds into the interview, the late Common-wealth air forces commander in Malaya air vice-marshal Frederick Rudolph Scherger decided to accept Tan Sri Sulaiman Sujak, who was 18 at the time, as a Royal Air Force (RAF) cadet.
Scherger said: "Young man, I understand you aspire to be selected for (training at RAF) Cranwell. Please proceed and all the best to you." Sulaiman, who turned 76 on March 25, said he responded with a salute and "Thank you, sir."
Story by Adrian David. NST 14 Aug 2010 |
LAC Doraisamy was driver to four RMAF chiefs
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Doraisamy retired from the Royal Malaysian Air Force as a Leading Aircraftman (equivalent to an army Lance Corporal) after 26 years on Jan 18, 1979. By then, he had chauffeured four RMAF chiefs in their official service limousines.
After his recruitment into the RMAF, Doraisamy was the official driver for the country's first air force chief, Air Vice-Marshal Tan Sri Sulaiman Sujak in 1967, and later for Lt-Gen Datuk Mohamad Taib, Lt-Gen Tan Sri Mohamad Ngah Said, and Lt- Gen Tan Sri Mohd Yunus Tasi. "I also chauffeured for two deputy RMAF chiefs (Maj-Gen Datuk Shaharuddin Ali and Maj-Gen Datuk Ahmad Merican)," said Doraisamy, who recently met up with the lot at the RMAF Veterans Day, held in conjunction with the 52nd air force anniversary, at the RMAF Museum in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur. Story by Adrian David. NST 25 July 2010 |
eBooks
Interesting stories, newsletters and photo albums will now be produced in Flipping PDF eBook format for more interesting / interactive reading in this website. Try it with this first story about Ops Cahaya Bena
Our latest addition to the Museum is the Westland Wasp thanks to the Royal Malaysian Navy. The helicopter arrived on a low-loader from KD Rajawali Lumut, on Friday 29 November, 2002. Five Navy technicians assembled the aircraft for static display at the Museum. For more information,