(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) F/A-18D Hornets fighter jets have been deployed as escorts to the Airbus Corporate Jet 320 (ACJ 320) special aircraft.
The ACJ 320 is transporting His Majesty the King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Her Majesty the QueenTunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah for the Departure Ceremony yesterday, marking the conclusion of the reign of His Majesty as the country 16th King.
Both F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets from the RMAF’s No. 18 Squadron took off from Butterworth Air Base at 8:00 am and landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
After the ‘Lambaian Kasih’ event at Bunga Raya Complex, Sepang, Selangor, the King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) and the Queen (Raja Permaisuri Agong) boarded the special aircraft for their return to Pahang Darul Makmur, accompanied by the F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets.
The F/A-18D Hornet aircraft were piloted by Squadron Leader Mohammad Afendie Mohamad Idir RMAF and Weapon Sensor Officer, Captain Ahmad Nazhan Ahmad Nazrin RMAF, while the second F/A-18D Hornet was flown by Squadron Leader Mohd Saifirudin Bahari RMAF and Weapon Sensor Officer, Squadron Leader Mohd Izhar Mohd Tarmizi RMAF.
The ACJ 320 departed from KLIA at approximately 11:16 am and safely landed at RMAF Kuantan Air Base around 11:45 am.
The arrival of the accompanying fighter jets alongside the special aircraft carrying Their Majesties captured the attention of the public, who seized the opportunity to record this historic moment.
The ‘Escort Flight’ mission serves as a tribute to His Majesty the King, the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, in accordance with the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
Al-Sultan Abdullah was crowned as the 16th King on January 31, 2019, and his five-year reign concludes today, January 30, 2024.
In reverence to His Majesty (Menjunjung Kasih Tuanku)
Image credit: No. 18 Squadron
— DSA
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