Ackbal Abdul Samad

Ackbal bin Abdul Samad (; born 4 September 1962) is a Malaysian retired-military officer who served as the 19th Chief of Air Force from January 2020 to March 2022.

Early life and education Ackbal was born on 4 September 1962 in Johor as the first son of four siblings. He raised in Klang, Selangor before moved to Petaling Jaya in the late '70s. He received his secondary education at Royal Military College, Kuala Lumpur from 1978 to 1980 before joined to Royal Malaysian Air Force on 1 June 1980.

Military career Early career After completed officer cadet course, Ackbal was commissioned to Junior lieutenant in 1982 and the next year, he attend to basic flying course with Pilatus PC-7 at RMAF Alor Setar Air Base before he transferred to RMAF Kuantan Air Base for fighter flight transition course with Aermacchi MB-339 at 3rd Flying Training Centre.

On 17 November 2014, Ackbal appointed as Joint Force Commander and this position he held until 3 September 2015 before he transferred back as Commander of Air Operations Command. On 21 December 2016, he appointed as Deputy Chief of Air Force.

Chief of Air Force Ackbal was appointed as 19th Chief of Royal Malaysian Air Force on 3 January 2020 succeeding Affendi Buang who appointed as 21st Chief of Defence Forces.

Malaysian Armed Forces