PUTRAJAYA — As the roar of fighter jets thundered across the skies above Dataran Putrajaya, the spirited voice of Major Dinnesh Nicolas Rene became the bridge between the aerial spectacle and the thousands of eyes fixed skyward, ensuring every manoeuvre was brought to life with precision and passion.

The role of air show commentator, says Dinnesh, a 34-year-old Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officer, goes far beyond reading a script into a microphone.

It demands extensive knowledge of the aircraft, pilots, formations and every manoeuvre to be performed.

Dinnesh, who has served in the RMAF since 2015, first ventured into this field after being selected as a commentator at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2019, before continuing the role during the RMAF’s anniversary.

“That was where my career as an air show commentator with the RMAF began,” said the officer, who now serves in the RMAF Air Defence Control Division.

For the 2026 National Day parade and march-past, Dinnesh took on the role of air commentator alongside Major Neny Suhaida Ab Suki and Captain Muhammad Iqbal Nasrudin.

He said that while his experience as an air defence officer has given him closer insight into the operational aspects that need to be explained during air show commentary, the task still requires substantial preparation.