Latest news with #TorukMakto
![From sky-gazer to sky-master: 'Sting' owns the airways [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
From sky-gazer to sky-master: 'Sting' owns the airways [WATCH]
LANGKAWI: From the moment he witnessed his first airshow at the age of 11, standing in awe under the roar of fighter jets slicing through the Langkawi sky, Colonel Mohd Norazan Othman knew exactly what he wanted to be. Today, the 46-year-old Langkawi native, known by his call sign "Sting", pilots the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Sukhoi SU-30MKM, the nation's most advanced multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA). "It all began here in Langkawi. I remember looking up at the fighter jets and telling myself, 'one day I'll fly over this very sky'. "And alhamdulillah, that dream came true," he told the New Straits Times. Norazan fulfilled that childhood vow, performing aerobatics over the island at this year's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima '25), the same skies he once stared up at. This year's Lima held a special meaning as Norazan was entrusted to be the backseater with the air force chief, General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, in a high-profile aerobatic display. Their eye-catching aircraft was also draped in a special livery, symbolically named "Toruk Makto", after the mythical flying creature from the science fiction film Avatar. "We say only the chosen few can tame this iron beast. "So, in the RMAF, those who can fly it are considered elite, similar to 'Toruk Makto'," he said. Norazan said he joined the RMAF in 1997, and a decade later, began flying the SU-30MKM Flanker. The aircraft, he said, demands high-level mastery, with its complex systems taking years to fully understand. "To fly the SU-30MKM, you must first qualify as a fighter pilot, and that begins with rigorous academic and flight training. "The systems on board require fast learning and exceptional discipline. It's not for just anyone." Now, he leads the very heart of the nation's Sukhoi operations, as the commanding officer of Gong Kedak air base in Terengganu. Asked what advice he had for young Malaysians, especially those who dream of becoming fighter pilots, Norazan offered a message steeped in experience. "You need strong discipline, mental and physical fitness, and a high level of patriotism. "And don't forget English... all the manuals, training, and systems are in English. You have to be ready," he said.
Barnama
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
LIMA'25: Asghar Khan's Final Salute, A Heartfelt Tribute To The Airforce
LANGKAWI, May 22 (Bernama) -- With just a month remaining before he hangs up his decorated uniform, General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan chose to bid farewell with a deeply meaningful gesture, a final salute from the cockpit of the SU-30MKM, soaring through the skies of Langkawi for the team he has long regarded as family. More than an aerobatic display for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25), the flight was a heartfelt tribute to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the institution that has been his lifeblood, and a powerful reflection of his passion, courage and enduring fighting spirit. Today marked the third consecutive day that the Air Force Chief, fondly known by his call sign, 'Gunjiz', piloted the fighter jet nicknamed Toruk Makto, proudly bearing the Jalur Gemilang livery. Reflecting on his final flight, the Selangor-born pilot shared that his participation in LIMA'25 was driven by a desire to lead by example, especially at a time when the RMAF is facing a shortage of pilots for aerobatic manoeuvres in the event's 17th edition. 'For this air show, we're short on aerobatic pilots due to various global circumstances. That's one of the reasons I decided to step in to help fill the gap and support the team,' he said. '…And also, I'm retiring in a month, so I just wanted to have fun,' he said. What reignited his desire to return to the cockpit was a series of conversations with his foreign counterparts during their visits to Malaysia, where he learned that some of them were still actively flying. 'I hadn't flown in quite a while. But last year, a few of my counterparts from abroad came to Malaysia and mentioned that some generals in their countries were still flying. That got me thinking — so I decided to 'intercept' them,' he said. He also shared that he had made a promise to the Russian Knights, the world-renowned aerobatic team from Russia, that if they returned to perform at LIMA in 2025, he would return to the skies alongside them.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gunjiz-Sting: Mentor-protégé team behind the ‘Toruk Makto' airshow that wowed LIMA'25 visitors
LANGKAWI: The performance that stole the show at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA'25) yesterday may have just lasted for 12 minutes, but for the pilots of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Su-30MKM dubbed 'Toruk Makto', it could be considered a lifetime in the making. Visitors were wowed not only by the aerobatic display of airmanship of the fighter, decked in the new Jalur Gemilang livery, but the fact that Chief of Air Force Gen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, known by his pilot callsign 'Gunjiz', was the man behind the joystick. What many may not know is that both Mohd Asghar Khan and his co-pilot, RMAF Col Mohd Norazan Othman have shared more than just that amazing 12 minutes together in the cockpit, as both men have been a mentor-protege team, stretching back to the days when they served together in the RMAF's MiG-29N squadron. 'When I was informed that I would be flying with my former trainer in the airshow in LIMA' 25, obviously I was very excited and proud to be able to fly with him. 'We took three months to undergo the aerobatic training and did our very best to choreograph the aerobatic stunts to perform at the 17th edition of LIMA,' Mohd Norazan, who's callsign is 'Sting', told reporters in an interview here today after flying Toruk Makto with his mentor again at LIMA'25 today. Mohd Norazan, who serves as the commander of Gong Kedak Air Base, has flown Su-30MKMs since 2008 and is a veteran performer at LIMA, having been involved in six editions. Obviously, LIMA'25 now occupies a deeper and special place in his heart. He also took the time to express his gratitude to the RMAF for entrusting him with flying the Su030MKM bearing the new livery. According to the RMAF official website, Mohd Norazan was appointed as Gong Kedak Air Base commander on Aug 20, 2024. The base is the main base for the RMAF's Su-30MKM aircraft.2024. Incidentally, 'Gunjiz' and 'Sting's scintillating performance yesterday turned out to be also historic, as Mohd Asghar Khan became the first Chief of Air Force to fly an aircraft in a LIMA airshow since it started in 1991.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Historic LIMA'25 flight unites RMAF chief and protégé
LANGKAWI: The performance that stole the show at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA'25) yesterday may have just lasted for 12 minutes, but for the pilots of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Su-30MKM dubbed 'Toruk Makto', it could be considered a lifetime in the making. Visitors were wowed not only by the aerobatic display of airmanship of the fighter, decked in the new Jalur Gemilang livery, but the fact that Chief of Air Force Gen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan, known by his pilot callsign 'Gunjiz', was the man behind the joystick. What many may not know is that both Mohd Asghar Khan and his co-pilot, RMAF Col Mohd Norazan Othman have shared more than just that amazing 12 minutes together in the cockpit, as both men have been a mentor-protege team, stretching back to the days when they served together in the RMAF's MiG-29N squadron. 'When I was informed that I would be flying with my former trainer in the airshow in LIMA' 25, obviously I was very excited and proud to be able to fly with him. 'We took three months to undergo the aerobatic training and did our very best to choreograph the aerobatic stunts to perform at the 17th edition of LIMA,' Mohd Norazan, who's callsign is 'Sting', told reporters in an interview here today after flying Toruk Makto with his mentor again at LIMA'25 today. Mohd Norazan, who serves as the commander of Gong Kedak Air Base, has flown Su-30MKMs since 2008 and is a veteran performer at LIMA, having been involved in six editions. Obviously, LIMA'25 now occupies a deeper and special place in his heart. He also took the time to express his gratitude to the RMAF for entrusting him with flying the Su030MKM bearing the new livery. According to the RMAF official website, Mohd Norazan was appointed as Gong Kedak Air Base commander on Aug 20, 2024. The base is the main base for the RMAF's Su-30MKM aircraft.2024. Incidentally, 'Gunjiz' and 'Sting's scintillating performance yesterday turned out to be also historic, as Mohd Asghar Khan became the first Chief of Air Force to fly an aircraft in a LIMA airshow since it started in 1991.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
TUDM chief personally takes to the skies
Soaring high: Jen Mohd Asghar Khan (left) makes history as the first TUDM chief to fly an aircraft at Lima. — Bernama LANGKAWI: Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Jen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan made history by becoming the first chief to fly an aircraft at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) air show in its 37-year history. Jen Mohd Asghar Khan opened the air show from the cockpit of a Su-30MKM fighter jet enthralling thousands of spectators. Equally impressive was the aircraft, known as 'Toruk Makto', which means Rider of the Last Shadow from the movie Avatar, that featured the iconic Jalur Gemilang livery. TUDM said Jen Mohd Asghar Khan, who carried the call sign 'Gunjiz', was in action flying alongside Gong Kedak air base commander Kol Mohd Norazan Othman, who carried the call sign 'Sting'. 'During the 12-minute flight, the aircraft performed various extraordinary manoeuvres, some of which were incapable of being performed by other fighter aircraft, capturing the attention of local and international guests present on the opening day of Lima'25,' the statement said, Bernama reported. It said that Jen Mohd Asghar Khan's direct participation not only reflected his patriotic spirit but also demonstrated the commitment of TUDM's top leadership to uphold professionalism, courage and organisational excellence. Jen Mohd Asghar Khan, who began his career as a TUDM pilot in 1985, also has experience flying A4 Skyhawk, F-5E and MiG-29N fighter aircraft.
