General Datuk Seri Affendi Buang has been appointed as the new Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief, in place of General Tan Sri Roslan Saad who goes on compulsory retirement Wednesday.

The handing-over of the baton of command ceremony was held at the RMAF base in Subang near here, and was witnessed by the Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

Sarawak-born Affendi, 54, has previously served as the RMAF Deputy Chief for two years and has also held exemplary portfolio and key positions in the RMAF, during his 30-odd years of service, including as the Butterworth Air Base commander.

A former student of the Putera branch of Royal Military College in 1978 before joining the cadet branch, he subsequently commissioned into the RMAF in 1981.

Affendi has also attended several courses including Strategic Studies from Defence and Strategic Studies College in Australia.

Earlier, Roslan's retirement was marked by a ceremonial parade mounted by 22 officers and 337 members from various ranks of RMAF led by Lt Col Raja Abdul Latif Ahmad, as well as a flypast by RMAF helicopters, aircraft and fighter jets. - BERNAMA