Saturday, August 2, 2014
THE
Royal Brunei Armed Forces has decommissioned its entire fleet of BELL
212 helicopters after 40 years of service, in a flyby ceremony yesterday
commmencing from the Rimba Air Force Base.
Three Bell 212 helicopters took part in the flyby over the Royal
Brunei Land Force Base, Royal Brunei Navy Forces base, Training
Institute Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Rimba Air Force Base.
Joining the flyby yesterday was Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) Commander Brigadier General (U) Hj Wardi Hj Abd Latip.
The decommissioning team was led by senior pilot Lt Col (U) Jasmin.
Maj (U) Hishamuddin the outgoing Officer Commanding of No.1 Squadron and
Maj (U) Hismawadi in his capacity as Officer Commanding Standard
Squadron maintenance test pilot for Bell 212.
The aircraft departed from the Air Movement Centre (AMC) and returned to the centre after flying pass various bases.
On returning to the centre, the RBAirF commander delivered a closing speech and officially decommissioned the fleet of aircraft.
He noted that the aircraft started its services in 1974. Its early uses were to transport flying doctors from the Ministry of Health to rural areas in the country.
Since then, the fleet has clocked a total of 65,000 flying hours.
He added that the helicopter became known for its versatility and
eventually became the “workhouse” for the RBAirF. The RBAirF commander
had piloted the aircraft in early stages of his career.
Tasks performed by Bell 212 included search and rescue operations,
provisions of suppression fire power, logistic delivery through
abseiling or jungle line resupply.
The helicopter was also able to deliver troops inside confined areas
using “multi-rope abseiling and fast roping for assaulting troops”, the
commander added.
The aircraft is used in regionally and internationally for support during disasters.
According to Brigadier General (U) Hj Wardi, the helicopter was
proven to be a “capable” aircraft to perform multi-tasking operations.
Forty-three personnel, including aircrew and engineering teams, worked on the twin-bladed helicopter when it was operational.
Some of the personnel in No 1 Squadron are already working on the new
Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, while others are waiting to
receive training for the new aircraft in the United States of America.
Later in the afternoon, the RBAirF held the first official task carried out by the S-70i aircraft.
It was previously reported that Sikorsky and the Ministry of Defence
have signed a contract for the supply of 12 S-70i helicopters. Eight
have already been delievered by Sikorsky. Four units are expected to be
delievered to Brunei by the end of the year.
The Brunei Times
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