In July 1952, Latif was promoted to the acting rank of Wing Commander and appointed Deputy Director Weapons at Air headquarters. He was also appointed Deputy Director Operations shortly afterwards. He was promoted substantive Wing Commander on 1 October 1954. After a three-year stint at Air HQ, in late 1955, he was deputed as an Advisor to the newly-created Indonesian Air Force. He was part of the team which helped induct the de Havilland Vampire jet fighters. He worked closely with the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Air Marshal Soerjadi Soerjadarma.