| Nuri Sufri and Hakim Hayat |
A SERIES of mock attacks on land, sea and air were observed by His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces during the week-long Exercise Hikmat Bersatu V/2016 (HB V/2016) yesterday.
Upon arrival at the Bolkiah Garrison in Berakas, His Royal Highness was welcomed by First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Deputy Minister of Defence; Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohammad Tawih bin Abdullah, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF); and Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, as well as heads of the working groups for Exercise HB V/2016.
His Royal Highness proceeded to the briefing room at the Joint Operation Centre where the Commander of the RBAF presented his welcoming address before hearing a briefing from Colonel Haji Abdul Hadi bin Haji Saim, Director of Personnel, Ministry of Defence and Exercise Director of HB V/2016.
His Royal Highness then heard an operational HB V/2016 briefing, which was delivered by Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, Joint Force Commander of the RBAF.
His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces before boarding the helicopter to observe part of the Exercise Hikmat Bersatu V/2016 at Penanjong Officers’ Mess in Tutong
His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces watching a mock maritime operation while onboard the patrol vessel KDB Darulaman
His Royal Highness in a group photo with military officers. – PHOTOS: BAHIYAH BAKIR
At the end of the briefing, His Royal Highness took an in-depth look at the Joint Operation Centre and its components in joint operation planning, and observed a press conference at the RBAF Museum as part of the exercise scenario before departing by helicopter to the Field Firing Area, Binturan Range.
The arrival of His Royal Highness was greeted by Brigadier General Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Forces and Colonel Haji Abidin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Commandant of Training Institute of the RBAF and the Deputy Exercise Director. There, His Royal Highness witnessed operations conducted by the Royal Brunei Land Forces and the RBAF Special Forces Regiment.
His Royal Highness then proceeded to Bukit Agok by helicopter and was greeted by Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah, Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force upon arrival, where a briefing was delivered by the Commanding Officer No 2 Wing, Royal Brunei Air Force and witnessed live firing of the Mistral missile.
Subsequent to the visit to Bukit Agok, His Royal Highness continued to the Muara Naval Base by helicopter and was received by First Admiral (L) Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad, Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy and observed an exercise scenario of public demonstration whilst overseeing the Naval Operation Centre and boarded the KDB Darulaman offshore patrol vessel to witness maritime operations.
Before leaving the Muara Naval Base, His Royal Highness signed the Royal Parchment and took a group photo to commemorate His Royal Highness’s visit.
The exercise commenced on April 1 and will end on April 7. Also providing support throughout the exercise are the First Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), Gurkha Reserve Unit, Royal Brunei Police Force, district offices, as well as a few mukims and villages.
The Exercise Hikmat Bersatu held this year is the fifth series of the RBAF Exercise since its inception in 2003. The concept of Exercise HB V/2016 is a continuation from the Exercise Perisai Kebangsaan IV/2015 (EPK 4/2015), focussing mainly on Non-Traditional Security Threats.
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