COLONEL (U) AZMIE ISKANDAR BIN ARIFFIN, PSB, QHI, psc (j)
COMMANDANT DEFENCE ACADEMY
ROYAL BRUNEI ARMED FORCES
Colonel (U) Azmie Iskandar bin Ariffin joined the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) in July 1996 and was commissioned in 1997 after completing Initial Officer Training at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, United Kingdom. He earned his pilot wings in 1999 after completing basic flying training and rotary wing courses at No 3 Squadron (Flying Training School) Royal Brunei Air Force.
MILITARY AND CIVILIAN EDUCATION: Colonel (U) Azmie Iskandar has attended the 2nd RBAF Command and Staff Course in 2012. In 2016, he attended the 13th Executive Development Programme with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy for Senior Government Officials.
APPOINTMENT HIGHLIGHT: Throughout his career, he has held several positions, starting with Flight Commander Training, Flight Commander Operations, Officer Commanding No. 2 Squadron, Officer Commanding No. 63 Squadron Flying Training School, Light Observation Helicopter Standard and Evaluation Officer, Staff Officer Grade 2 Training, Headquarters, and Staff Officer Grade 1 Operations (Air), Joint Force Headquarters.
From 2018 to 2020, he served as the 4th Defence Attaché to the Peoples Republic of China and non-resident Defence Attaché to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Following his overseas tour, he was appointed Acting Commandant of the Defence Academy RBAF in 2021 and Deputy Commandant from January 2022 to February 2024. On February 2024 to October 2025, he held the position as the Head of Inspectorate Unit Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF). He is currently the 6th Commandant of the Defence Academy RBAF and was appointed on 10th October 2025.
AWARD AND DECORATION: Colonel (U) Azmie Iskandar’s first operational assignment was flying the MBB Bolkow BO105 helicopter fleet in 2000. In 2004, he was awarded as a certified Maintenance Check Flight pilot by the Eurocopter Flight Test Instructor and in 2005, he was awarded as a Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI) from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
In 2011, Colonel (U) Azmie Iskandar was bestowed by His Majesty the Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with The Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara Brunei 4th Class (P.S.B) and in 2014, he received the Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) Medal. In recognition of his efforts and achievements in strengthening defence diplomacy between Brunei Darussalam and People’s Republic of China, he was awarded the Commemorative Medal by the Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China.
Colonel (U) Azmie Iskandar is married to Ismawati binti Pehin Bendahari Haji Abu Bakar and blessed with three children. He enjoys outdoor activities, workouts, reading and spending quality time with his family.
