When a Media is Not a Media

Yesterday was Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Part of the national culture is the traditional open house event. The Prime Minister, DS Najib Tun Razak had graciously opened Sri Perdana to the public.

Happy Birthday SU30MKM

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the first 2 units of SU30MKM to serve with RMAF. Both birds, with tail number M52-01 and M52-02, were soon followed by the rest of the SU30MKM. In total, RMAF procured 18 units of this unique Russian jet with western, specifically French avionics system.

Naval Accidents

The news of the maritime incident involving USS Fitzgerald and Philippine-flagged ACX Crystal is a stark reminder the dangers faced by navy personnel worldwide. 7 sailors were missing after the crash, with reports of some bodies have been found in flooded areas of the ship.

USS Fitzgerald
Source - various media

Nearer to home, our KD Jebat (pennant no. 29) was involved in a similar collision when KD Jebat was brushed by an unknown ship near Selangor waters in January 2014. Thankfully the damage was minor and all hands were accounted for.

Our neighbour's navy was not as fortunate. In 2003, RSN Courageous, a Fearless class patrol vessel was hit at the stern by Indonesian-registered cargo ship ANL Indonesia. 

RSN Courageous
Source BBC

4 female sailors were killed as their sleeping bunk were sheared off. 3 bodies were recovered, while another was never found. The deceased are:
1. 1st Sgt Seah Ai Leng
2. 1st Sgt Heng Sok Ling
3. 2nd Sgt Chua Bee Lin
4. Cpl Goh Hui Ling

2nd Sgt Chua's body was never recovered.

As we are on this topic, I would like to implore my readers not to make fun of these deaths and accidents. Let it be a solemn memory of their loss, regardless of their nationality.

Note: 

There is another naval collision involving RMN in the 70's which resulted in loss of lives. But I do not have the details. Pray for the souls of these brave men and women who served their nations without question.

To Replace or Not to Replace - RMAF Dilemma

The recent loss of 1 RMAF BAe Hawk 108 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (or LIFT) has been pounced upon by some quarters to push the Federal Government to procure new MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) to replace the BAe Hawk 108. They claimed the crash is evidence that the plane is no longer viable and must be replaced.

RMAF BAe Hawk 108
Credit BAe

Rest In Peace, Op Daulat Heroes

Today has been a long day. As I was safely having lunch in KL CBD, a RMAF Hawk 108 trainer fighter had crashed somewhere near Cukai, Terengganu. Both pilot and co-pilot, Major Yasmi Mohd Yusof (call sign Caser), 39, and Major Mohd Hasri Safari (call sign Fixer), 31, were killed in the crash.

Big Loss
Let's not dwell into what had happened. The Board of Inquiry that would be set up would handle that.