Abidin Ahmad
Abidin Ahmad | |
---|---|
4th Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces | |
In office 30 September 1997 – 3 July 1999 | |
Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
Preceded by | Husin Ahmad |
Succeeded by | Shari Ahmad |
1st Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force | |
In office 1982–1986 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Jocklin Kongpaw |
Personal details | |
Born | Awangku Abidin bin Pengiran Ahmad[1] Brunei |
Education | Mons Officer Cadet School[2] |
Occupation | Military officer |
Profession | Military officer |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Brunei |
Branch/service | Royal Brunei Land Force Royal Brunei Air Force |
Years of service | 1965–1999 |
Rank | Major General |
Commands | Air Wing |
Pengiran Abidin bin Pengiran Ahmad[3] is a Bruneian military officer who served as the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) from 1997 until 1999.
As the first pilots in the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), him and Jocklin Kongpaw have indirectly contributed to the growth and advancement of RBAirF, where their dedication and open sacrifice have become one of the sources of motivation and inspiration for all ABDB members, especially TUDB, to carry out the tasks and missions required by ABDB and the nation.[4]
Education
On 11 September 1966, Junior Lieutenants Abidin and Jocklin returned to Brunei, after undergoing a two month RAF Air Crew Selection course in Biggin Hill, Westerham.[5] Later on 6 August 1968, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (AMDB) experienced a very significant moment when Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was pleased to present the Pilot Badge for the first time to two local officers, Second lieutenants Abidin and Jocklin, after completing all domestic and foreign flight training.[6] For the AMDB, this ceremony has also gone down in history as the first time that two local military pilots were successfully produced. At that time, a flight display employing a Bell 206B helicopter at Istana Darul Hana further enhanced the presenting ceremony. The two local pilots demonstrated a very high degree of proficiency and efficiency.[7]
When the two pilots were dispatched to British Executive Air Services Limited, Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom, for Basic Flight Training on 14 August 1967, AMDB made history. The two officers also undertook flying school in Sabah, Malaysia, to earn a pilot's license prior to attending training in the United Kingdom. Following basic training, Major Herbert Marshall, commanding officer of the Helicopter Platoon, AMDB, oversaw the two pilots as they conducted 90 hours of Advanced Flight Training in a Bell 206B helicopter. Abidin Ahmad and Jocklin Kongpaw have both served as officers and have flown a variety of Royal Brunei Air Force (TUDB) aircraft in a variety of positions.[7]
Military career
In 1982, Lieutenant colonel Abidin also became the first local officer to be appointed as the commanding officer of the Air Branch, AMDB and later handed over the reins of leadership to Lieutenant Colonel Jocklin Kongpaw in 1986. He was also the first TUDB officer to be promoted to major general in 1997 and subsequently appointed as the commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).[7] He attended the Asia Pacific Defense Forum in 1999.[8]
Later life
At the 2019 Seri Angkasa Cup, which was hosted at the RBA Golf Club, the retired members of "The Legend" team from the RBAirF under the leadership of Abidin Ahmad successfully defended their title.[9] An iftar celebration with former RBAirF commanders was organized on 2 May 2021, at Rumah Wira Angkasa in Berakas in honor of the blessed month of Ramadan.[10]
Honours
A road in Rimba Air Force Base was named Abidin Boulevard on 22 April 2022.[10] Examples of local and foreign honours awarded to him;[11]
National
- Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT) – Dato Paduka Seri[4]
- Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei First Class (PSPNB) – Dato Seri Pahlawan
- Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Second Class (DSLJ) – Dato Seri Laila Jasa
- Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Second Class (DPMB) – Dato Paduka
- Order of Setia Negara Brunei Third Class (SNB)
- Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Medal (PHBS; 7 August 1968)[12]
- Excellent Service Medal (PIKB)
- Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
- Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
- General Service Medal
- Long Service Medal (Armed Forces)
- Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
Foreign
- Indonesia:
- Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (BYD)[13]
- Singapore:
- Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC; 2 February 1999)[14]
References
- ^ "Royal Brunei AirForce: Playing its role in air surveillance, support - a special report". The Star. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ^ SP's Military Yearbook. Guide Publications. 1998. p. 236.
- ^ "THE COMMANDER OF ROYAL BRUNEI ARMED FORCES, MG PENGIRAN DATO ..." www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Imbau Sejarah Dua Juruterbang TUDB | Brunei's No.1 News Website". www.brudirect.com. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ "Pegawai2 A.M.D.B. Balek Dari England" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 14 September 1966. p. 8. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Remembering the pioneers". Borneo Bulletin Online. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ a b c "Dua juruterbang tempatan pertama lakar sejarah TUDB » Media Permata Online". Dua juruterbang tempatan pertama lakar sejarah TUDB. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ Asia Pacific Defense Forum. Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command. 1999. p. 19.
- ^ "News Headlines – SERI ANGKASA CUP 2019 INTERACTION GOLF TOURNAMENT..." mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ a b "News Headlines – IFTAR WITH FORMER COMMANDERS OF RBAirF". www.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
- ^ The Army Quarterly and Defence Journal. West of England Press. 1997. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-85052-467-3.
- ^ "52 Orang Di-kurniakan Bintang2 Kebesaran" (PDF). Pelita Brunei. 7 August 1968. p. 8.
- ^ "Brunei Armed Forces Chief General Pengiran Abidin Ahmad shakes hands..." Getty Images. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- ^ "Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander Awarded Distinguished Service Order (Military)" (PDF). www.nas.gov.sg. 2 February 1999. Retrieved 25 February 2024.