Air chief's 'greatest challenge'

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KUALA LUMPUR: Describing the appointment as his greatest career challenge, General Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin said there were many big expectations placed on him as the new armed forces chief.

This was more so as Azizan became the first Royal Malaysian Air Force chief to helm the Armed Forces, succeeding General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal of the Army, who retired after 40 years of service.

The post of armed forces chief was traditionally held by an army officer until the then Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor was appointed to it in April, 2005.

"I must say that the officers and men of the RMAF are very excited on my appointment.

"Even my family, especially my mother, never dreamt that I would one day helm the armed forces.

"This is something I will treasure my whole life as history has been written," he said at the ceremony where Aziz handed over duties to Azizan at the Defence Ministry in Jalan Padang Tembak yesterday.

Present was Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

On his task, Azizan said he was eager to continue where Aziz had left.

"It's sad to see Aziz go as he had put in a great deal of work to ensure the Armed Forces moved toward the fourth dimension of a credible, formidable and dynamic outfit in protecting the nation's sovereignty.

"I will initiate changes where necessary in our effort to improve continuously."

Azizan said there were much expectations placed on him to address the issues at hand and he would perform his task as professionally as possible.

Azizan, born in Yan, Kedah, in 1952, began his career with the RMAF on April 16, 1971, as an air traffic control officer.

On July 7, 1977, he was commissioned as a pilot and gradually rose through the ranks, becoming deputy RMAF chief on April 5, 2004. On Nov 1, 2006, he became RMAF chief.

Meanwhile, RMAF air operations commander Lt-Gen Datuk Rodzali Daud has been promoted to full general and appointed to succeed Azizan as the RMAF chief.

Lt-Gen Datuk Sharon Ibrahim, who is the chief of staff at the Armed Forces headquarters, is the new deputy RMAF chief replacing Lt-Gen Datuk Bashir Abu Bakar who is the new RMAF air operations commander.