Bandar Seri Begawan - Col (U) Hj Wardi bin Hj Abd Latif has officially taken over the position as the new Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) following the handing over of duties ceremony from the former Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Jofri bin Hj Abdullah yesterday.

The ceremony was held at the RBAirF base in Rimba yesterday whereby Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Jofri inspected the line of parade and witnessed the ceremonial marching event for his farewell.

Brig Gen (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Jofri in his speech said, "My 31 years of service in Royal Brunei Armed Forces. (RBAF), including three-and-a-half years as the Commander of the RBAirF, will conclude on January 3, 2013. I am not looking to leave behind any legacy, as I only fulfil my responsibility as trusted, for the good of RBAF and RBAirF."

He added, "I am happy and confident that Col (U) Hj Wardi will lead RBAirF to progress towards becoming what we all hope for. He possesses the mental, spiritual and physical strength required, as well as experience and exposure. He also has the quality of leadership and professionalism. He is definitely one of the best suited successors to replace myself I hope that all personnel will give him their full support:"

Brig Gen (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Jofri also thanked all the personnel of the RBAirF for carrying out their duties in supporting the RBAirF, the RBAF and the nation.

Before concluding his speech, he reminded each RBAirF personnel of their oaths during the first day of entering into the service, which is "Undivided Loyalty to the Government and His Majesty as well as in the leadership of His Majesty as the Supreme Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Minister of Defence".

With the RBAirF reaching 47 years of its establishment, he also urged all personnel of RBAirF to work hard to be competitive towards making RBAirF, a force of excellence, distinctive and glorious in support of the nation's aspiration and the country's integrity.

After his speech, Brig Gen (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Jofri officially handed over the duties of Commander of Royal Brunei Air Force to Col (U) Hj Wardi.

The ceremony was followed by the planting of a tree sapling and the departure of Brig Gen (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Jofri, who took off in a helicopter after bidding farewell at the conclusion of the ceremony.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin