Wardi Abdul Latip

Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip is a Bruneian military officer who became the commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) from 2012 to 2015. Notably, he was also the Bruneian defence attaché to China in 2007.

Military career From 1982 to 1983, Wardi served as a pioneer in the Boys Company, before enlisting in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and assigned his service number 231. After successfully completing his military officer training, he was later appointed as second lieutenant in December 1984. As a student pilot at No. 3 Basic Squadron Flight Training School in the RBAirF's Training Wing from 1984 to 1986, he started his flying career. He became a co-pilot for the Bell 212 helicopter at No. 1 Squadron, after finishing his flight training. He was fully operational as a pilot flying the Bell 212 for three years with No. 1 Squadron, after obtaining combat status six months later.

In 1989, Colonel Wardi was among the tiny group chosen to get training in fighter jets at RAF Church Fenton in Yorkshire, England. Starting with the Refresher Fast Jet Course for 82 flight hours in a BAC Jet Provost Mk5, he underwent training in stages. At RAF Valley on Anglesey, North Wales, he then continued his Advanced Flying Training on the Hawk T Mk1. In addition, he was chosen to be a pilot for the Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft Programme, and was transferred to Palmerstone North, New Zealand's Massey Air University, School of Aviation, to get a 'Multi-engine Pilot Licence' in 1994. He received the Conversion Flying Training in November 1997, after finishing this training. He founded No. 5 Squadron, which was formally established on 12 December 1997, after bringing the first IPTN CN-235 aircraft to Brunei upon completion of the training. The Royal Brunei Air Force has a new commander, with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's approval. Brigadier General Wardi Abdul Latip and Colonel Shahril Anwar exchanged command during a ceremony for the RBAirF. On 25 September 2015, the Royal Brunei Air Force's headquarters at Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, hosted a ceremony to mark the handover. On the next day, the new commander was officially appointed. Later that year on 30 September, the Royal Brunei Air Force received the new Air Movement Centre (AMC) in a formal handover; he came after the Director of DDWS and before the Permanent Secretary, Azmansham Mohamad. Wardi was appointed as the Director of Aviation under His Majesty at the Aviation Office on 14 October 2017, according to the Department of Public Services (JPA). This follows permission from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Honours Things named after Wardi Drive, road name within Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, officiated on 22 April 2022.

National

RMAF Honorary Pilot Wings (5 August 2015)

RSAF Honorary Pilot Wing (2013)