SHAH ALAM: RMAF will hold open days at its airbases in Kuching and Butterworth this August and September, respectively. RMAF chief Gen. Affendi Buang says the events will afford closer interaction with the public and service personnel.

Affendi says the exact dates for the open days were still being worked out though tentatively the Kuching open day will be held in the second week of August while the Butterworth one was for the moment scheduled for the first week of September.

RMAF Sukhoi Su-30MKM seemed to hang in the air as the flare does.

Based on his statement the Kuching event could be held on Aug 4 or 11 while the Butterworth could be held on the 1st or 8th of September. (Once the exact dates is confirmed, I will post it here. ED).

Two RMAF Mk 108s took part in a flypast rehearsal on Feb 25, 2017.

Affendi says they were planning to have flight demonstrations as well as other events during the open days though due to budget considerations, only the two are planned for this year.

He said this after attending the RMAF 60th anniversary parade at the Subang airbase here. The parade was held today (July 5) as the service’s anniversary this year (June 1) occurred during the Ramadan month.

Please note that the pictures of the aerial displays shown here are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as part of the events lined up the two open days.

Meanwhile, Affendi finally confirmed the participation of the RMAF contingent for Ex Pitch Black scheduled to be later this month until mid-August in Darwin, Australia. He says the five F/A-18D Hornet and a single A400M will take part in the exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force. He says the Hornets from the 18th Sqdn will fly direct to Darwin with air-to-air refueling to be conducted on the A400M.

A RMAF Hawk Mk 208 being refueled by the A400M. 25th Hawk Anniversary FB.

He confirmed that three fighter types in service – namely the Hornets, Sukhoi Su-30MKM and Hawk 208s have been qualified to conduct AAR with the A400M.

RMAF M54-04 taking off from Subang. Note the AAR pods on both wings.

—Malaysian Defence

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