| Wani Roslan |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) yesterday graced the Grand Parade of the 57th RBAF anniversary celebrations at the Penanjong Garrison in the Tutong District.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and General of the RBAF and His Royal Highness Captain (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Receiving His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince upon arrival at the parade ground were the Minister of Defence II, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; and the RBAF Commander, Major General Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud.
At the parade ground, His Majesty received the royal salute and inspected the parade contingents featuring 1,157 personnel from the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), the Training Institute RBAF (TI RBAF), the Special Force Regiment (SFR), the Women Military Personnel and the RBAF Band led by the Parade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel (U) Haji Haszahaidi bin Haji Ahmad Daud.
His Majesty then delivered a titah, after which a Doa was read by the Head of the RBAF Religious Department, Commander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim.
His Majesty once again received the royal salute, which was followed with an aerial fly-past by RBAirF aircraft.
From the parade ground, His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince proceeded to tour various static exhibitions from the different units under the Ministry of Defence and the RBAF.
Afterwards, His Majesty and His Royal Highness joined former RBAF officers and personnel for an interactive session, before viewing the arena performance at the Penanjong Garisson Mini Stadium.
His Majesty and His Royal Highness also paid a visit to the Warrant Officer/Staff Sergeant/Sergeant Mess, and were presented with a pesambah in the form of a Prismatic Compass used for navigation and surveying purposes, from the RBAF senior non-commissioned officers. Such compasses are still used as a tool for each RBAF member during training and operations.
His Majesty and His Royal Highness then proceeded to the Dining Hall in the Penanjong Garrison, for a meeting with the RBAF junior non-commissioned officers.
A pesambah was presented to His Majesty and His Royal Highness in the form of a Stargazer, an astro-navigator tool used by sailors in the past to determine their position at sea or on land.
His Majesty and His Royal Highness then proceeded to the Penanjong Garrison’s officer Mess for celebratory luncheon, during which His Majesty awarded the Air Wing Badge to His Royal Highness Captain (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
His Majesty was then invited to cut a cake marking the 57th RBAF Anniversary and presented with a pesambah in the form of a drone.
The ceremony concluded with signing of the royal parchment, followed by a group photograph session with members of the Defence Executive Committee, service commanders, commandants, former deputy ministers of defence and former commanders of the RBAF, as well as military and civilian directors and heads of units.
This year’s theme of Bersama Menjayakan Wawasan Negara underlines the continuing commitment of the RBAF as a key security institution in contributing to the nation’s progress and development, by ensuring a safe and secure environment.
This event, which is traditionally held every 31 May, was postponed to a later date this year, out of respect for the holy month of Ramadhan.