Hamzah Sahat
Hamzah bin Sahat is a retired Bruneian airman and the 11th Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF)[1] who served in post from September 2020 until his retirement in March 2022. He previously held the position as the 14th Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) from 2018 to 2020.[2]
Hamzah Sahat | |
|---|---|
Brigadier general Hamzah in 2022 | |
| 11th Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces | |
| In office 1 September 2020 – 1 March 2022 | |
| Monarch | Hassanal Bolkiah |
| Preceded by | Aminan Mahmud |
| Succeeded by | Haszaimi Bol Hassan |
| 14th Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force | |
| In office 18 August 2018 – 28 August 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Shahril Anwar |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Sharif |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hamzah Brunei |
| Spouse | Anita Binurul Zahrina |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | King's College London (MA) University of Madras (MPhil) |
| Profession | Airman, pilot, and flight instructor |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Brunei |
| Branch/service | Royal Brunei Air Force |
| Years of service | 1988–2022 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | No. 2 Squadron (BO105) No. 5 Squadron (CN 235) Training Wing (PC-7 Mk.II) |
| Commands | Flight Commander Fixed Wing Flying Training School Joint Force Headquarters Operation Wing |
Education edit
Throughout his career, he was sent to several training institutes, which include the Initial Officer Training (IOT)[2] and Basic Flying Training (BFT) at Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Cranwell, Lincolnshire, England in 1989;[1] the Advanced Flying Training (AFT) at RAF Valley, Isle of Anglesey, Wales in 1990;[1] Tactical Weapon Unit (TWU) at RAF Chivenor, Devon, England from 1990 to 1991;[1] Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) course at RAF Topcliffe and RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, England in 1997;[1] 6th Advanced Command and Staff Course (ACSC) at Joint Services Command and Staff College, Oxfordshire, England;[1] and graduated from King's College London with Master of Arts (MA) in 2002;[1] attended National Defence College (NDC) at New Delhi, India; and graduated from University of Madras, the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) with First Class in Defence and Strategic Studies in 2010.[1][3]
Military career edit
On 12 September 1988, Hamzah enlisted into the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and subsequently graduated with the rank of second lieutenant on 27 July 1989.[1] From 1992 to 1997, he flew Bolkow BO105 helicopters,[1] before returning from the United Kingdom to be an instructor for the Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft in 1997.[1] Hamzah Sahat later held the position of a Flight Commander Fixed Wing (Flt Comd FW) and Officer Commanding (OC) at the Flying Training School (FTS) in 2000.[1][3]
He became a Staff Officer Grade 2 (SO2) Operation after returning to Brunei from the UK in 2003.[1] Later assigned as a Staff Officer Grade 1 (SO1) Operation to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' (RBAF) Directorate of Operation at the Ministry of Defence in 2005, but returned to RBAirF's Commanding Officer (CO) of Operation Wing in 2007.[1] He held another important position as the Chief of Staff (COS) of Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) from 2010 to 2012, before being assigned to the role of Deputy Commander of the RBAirF.[1] Hamzah was appointed as the Joint Force Commander of the RBAF on 19 December 2014.[1][3]
On 17 August 2018, the role of Commander of the RBAirF was succeeded by him and held that position until 28 August 2020,[1][4] his successor Brigadier general Mohammad Sharif would then take on his role.[5] He attended the 15th ASEAN Air Chief Conference (AACC) hosted by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) on 1 September of that same year, and also attended RSAF's 50th Anniversary parade at Tengah Air Base.[6] During his time in command, he saw the introduction of a new grey Digital Disruptive Pattern (D2P) design fabric for the RBAirF's uniform in 2019.[7]
The handover ceremony between Hamzah and Mohammad Sharif was held at Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, Bandar Seri Begawan on 28 August 2020.[8] On 1 September 2020, Hamzah Sahat officially became the 11th Commander of the RBAF and succeeded Aminan Mahmud. The handover ceremony was held on 1 March 2022, between him and his successor Muhammad Haszaimi.[9][10]
Personal life edit
Hamzah is married to Dr. Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina and has two children together. When spare time allows, he enjoys reading, and playing volleyball and golf.[1]
Honours edit
Namesakes edit
- Hamzah Loop, road name in the Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, officiated on 22 April 2022.[11]
National edit
- Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei First Class (PSPNB; 15 August 2015) – Dato Seri Pahlawan[1]
- Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB)
- Excellent Service Medal (PIKB)
- Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal (5 October 2017)
- Sultan of Brunei Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
- General Service Medal
- Long Service Medal (Armed Forces)
- Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee Medal (31 May 2011)
Foreign edit
- Singapore:
- Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) (PJG; 8 December 2020)[12]
- Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (DUBC; 12 July 2022)[13]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Commander RBAF - Major General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander". MinDef12.rssing.com. www.rssing.com. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Serah Terima Tugas Pemerintah TUDB" [Handover of RBAirF government duties]. www.BruDirect.com (in Malay). Rimba: Brunei's No.1 News Website. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Brunei Air Force handbook - strategic information and weapon systems. Washington DC, USA: International Business Publications, USA / Lulu.com. 2007. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-4330-0429-2. OCLC 946747582 – via Google Books.[unreliable source]
- ^ Parameswaran, Prashanth (21 August 2018). "Brunei's military gets a new air force chief". TheDiplomat.com. Diplomat Media Inc. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ Oleh Syahmi Hassan (29 August 2020). "Pemerintah TUDB baharu mulakan tugas" [The new RBAirF government begins work]. MediaPermata.com.bn (in Malay). Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei: Media Permata Online. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Commander of Royal Brunei Air Force attended the 15th ASEAN Air Chief Conference". MinDef.gov.bn. Fullerton Hotel, Marina Bay, Singapore: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ Izah Azahari (1 July 2019). "RBAF debuts new military uniforms". BorneoBulletin.com.bn. Borneo Bulletin Online. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Handover ceremony for Commander of Royal Brunei Air Force". MinDef.gov.bn. Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office receives in audience the outgoing and newly appointed Royal Brunei Armed Forces Commander". MinDef.gov.bn. Qashr Al-Meezan, Rabu: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Commander of RBAF change of command ceremony". MinDef.gov.bn. Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "RBAirF road naming event and Iftar with former commanders of RBAirF". MinDef.gov.bn. Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces makes introductory visit to Singapore and receives prestigious military award". DefenceReviewAsia.com. Defence Review Asia, Ventura Media. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Top military award conferred on former Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces". www.MINDEF.gov.sg. Singapore: MINDEF, Government of Singapore. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
External links edit
Media related to Hamzah Sahat at Wikimedia Commons