| Hakim Hayat |
THE interoperability between the armies of Brunei Darussalam and Australia were tested as the 2/30th Training Group of the Australian Army and Second Battalion (2Bn) of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) took part in Exercise Mallee Bull 2018, an 11-day military exercise in the jungles of the Tutong District.
The exercise, which began on December 7 and carried out to strengthen defence cooperation between both countries, was conducted in three phases: the first is the administration and Force Integration Training; the second being Search and Destroy Operations; while the third is Administration and Recreation.
A total of 28 personnel from the 2/30th Training Group, Australian Army led by Lieutenant Mark Vincent Vele, and 60 personnel and three officers from B Company, 2Bn of the RBLF led by Captain Abdul Hakim bin Arifin took part in the exercise.
The Ministry of Defence (MinDef) in a press release stated that Exercise Mallee Bull 2018, which was also held in 2010, continues to be a significant platform for strengthening defence diplomacy and enhancing the military-to-military cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Australia.
“It also allows for the integrated deployment of ground troops from both armies to enhance interoperability, and provides an opportunity for the training and improvement of the skills of military personnel of both countries in the planning and implementation of infantry operations,” the statement read.
The closing ceremony for the exercise was officiated by RBLF Chief of Staff Colonel Khairil bin Haji Ismail and Commander of the 13th Brigade Royal Australian Army Brigadier Peter Moore.
Others present at the ceremony included Deputy Head of Mission of Australia to Brunei Darussalam Carol Allnut; Australian Assistant Defence Advisor to Brunei Darussalam Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hauser; and Commanding Officer of 2Bn RBLF Lieutenant Colonel Pengiran Mohammad Shamsul Reza bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Tengah.
