Azizan Ariffin

Azizan joined the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) on October 15, 1969.^[3] He later finished his training at Royal Military College on April 16, 1971 and commissioned as Pilot officer (Nato OF-1).^[3]

After graduating, he was absorbed into Air Traffic Control (ATC) Branch and then was sent to Australia for basic and advance ATC course for two years. His first ever job in RMAF was as an ATC Officer at Kuala Lumpur RMAF Air Base.^[3] He was later assigned to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore and then Kuantan RMAF Air Base, both as an ATC Officer.^[2]

Azizan began his training as an aviator after being sent to Basic Aviation Course in Australia on April 15, 1976. He was given his pilot brevet on July 8, 1977.^[3]

Azizan has had a prosperous air force aviator career. He has flown varieties of aircraft in RMAF arsenal including CT/4s, Aermacchi MB-326H, Bulldog B 100, Cessna 402B, BAe 125, Fokker F28, Pilatus PC-7, Falcon 900 and also C-130 Hercules.^[4][2][1]

Among the tasks he has held include Squadron Leader in VIP Squadron and examiner, chief instructor and instructor at the RMAF Flying Academy. He also was a member of the RMAF Acrobatic Team — the Taming Sari Team.

Azizan was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and began to work in command and staff related task at all three branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Among the important tasks he has held include as Defence Advisor for Islamabad, Pakistan, Director (Training) at the Air Force Command and Chief-of-staff for 2nd Air Division. Azizan then promoted to General officer in 1996 and given task as the Chief of 2nd Air Division.^[5] He was later appointed Commandant for Air Force College and Malaysian Armed Force Academy (Malay: Akademi Angkatan Tentera Malaysia — ATMA) (now National Defence University of Malaysia — UPNM).^[3][1]

Azizan then held position of Chief of Air Operation (Malay: Panglima Operasi Udara) and Deputy Chief of Air Force (Malay: Timbalan Panglima Tentera Udara) before appointed the 15th Chief of Air Force (Malay: Panglima Tentera Udara — PTU) on 30 October 2006.

On 1 September 2009, Azizan made history by becoming the first Chief of Defence Forces from RMAF.^[4] Azizan is the second non-army Chief of Defence Forces after Admiral Mohammad Anwar Mohd Nor.^[4] The Chief of Defence Forces' position is usually dominated by the Malaysian Army.^[4]

After almost 41 years service in Armed Forces, General Tan Sri Azizan finally retired on June 15, 2011. His position as Perintah Ulung was then succeeded by General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.^[3]

After retirement, General Tan Sri Azizan started being involved in business.^[5]

General Tan Sri Azizan married Puan Sri Noorainee Abd Rahim. They have five children.^[1]