Danial Norjidi
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) yesterday showcased its capabilities in dealing with maritime threats as well as search and rescue operations as it conducted a live demonstration to mark the 51st Anniversary of the RBAF, witnessed by His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan and General of the RBAF.
The demonstration kicked off with a parachute drop by the Parachute Airborne Tactical Delivery Unit (PATDU) of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) and a show of manoeuvres by the KDB Mustaed, a ship in the Royal Brunei Navy. Ten PATDU personnel conducted the drop from 7,000 feet, landing on Pulau Muara Besar, followed by the show of manoeuvres by the KDB Mustaed.
The KDB Mustaed is a fast interceptor vessel that normally conducts patrols in coastal areas as well as areas around offshore oilrigs, with the ability to intercept suspicious ships quickly, and boasts a speed of 40-45 knots (about 75 km/h).
Next was a demonstration of the recovery and launching of a Bell 212 aircraft by Squadron One of the RBAirF, which landed on the flight deck of the KDB Darulaman.
The KBD Darulaman is capable of executing landings and launchings, regardless of whether it is static or moving. Other aircraft from the RBAirF are also able to make landings on the ship.
After recovering the Bell 212 helicopter, the flight deck team then proceeded to apply pre-flight procedures, before the aircraft was boarded by three Special Forces personnel. "This increased capacity has developed and enhanced the capabilities of the RBAF's assets in special operations, especially in handling intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as well search and rescue operations," said the commentator, as the Bell 212 took to the air.
The Bell 212 aircraft carried the Special Force Regiment (RPK) to a certain distance, before RPK personnel jumped out of the helicopter to perform an infiltration operation. The Special Force Regiment personnel swam towards the target area, completing their mission, before swimming out of the danger zone, ready to board the Rigid Inflatable Boats.
Next up was a demonstration of the Fast Attack Boat (FAB) and Airboat from the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).
The boats displayed their manoeuvrability by going into four different formations, showcasing how they would conduct attacks in certain conditions, be it near beach areas, in open waters, at coastal areas in the dark or for amphibious operations.
Yesterday's demonstration also saw an aerobatics display by the RBAirF's Pilatus PC-7 Squadron 63, led by pilots Major (LS) Rich Frick and Captain (AirF) Pg Zulhusmi bin Pg Roslan.
The squadron of three Pilatus PC-7s soared through the sky, leaving behind trails of white smoke, as they showcased four different manoeuvres, starting with the loop, wingover, Derry turn, and lastly, the inverted pass fan break formation. The crowd cheered and got snap-ping with their cameras, as they watched the planes fly overhead and manoeuvre effortlessly across the skyline.
Next was the joint maritime operation scenario, showing assets of the RBN and what it would do upon finding one ship possibly smuggling contraband after conducting intelligence, surveillance and recon-naissance operations.
Commanded from the RBAF's Joint Operations Centre, a Bolkow aircraft from the RBAirF and the KDB Mustaed from the RBN were directed to monitor and provide positive identification of the suspected ship.
The Joint Operations Centre then directed its assets at the scene to conduct a search, and the KDB Mustaed was deployed to intercept the suspected ship. Rigid Inflatable Boats were also deployed and launched from the back of the KDB Darulaman, each carrying a six-person naval team.
As these events all unfolded, the Bolkow aircraft provided sniper cover from the air, while two more Rigid Inflatable Boats from the RPK joined in the search of the suspected ship and also ensured the protection of the other teams.
A number of Special Force Regiment personnel were deployed to conduct air insertion by fast roping from a Bell 212 helicopter to the target ship. Upon boarding the target ship, explosions were heard, confirming the presence of enemies, and what followed was a battle between the search team and the criminals.
RBAF's team ended up neutralising the criminals, gaining control of the ship, and lowering the enemy flag to signal the end of the joint maritime operation.
The next scenario was a search and rescue operation by the RBAirF, which saw a fisherman's boat hit by a wave, causing him to fall into the water and needing urgent assistance. A Bell 212 helicopter was deployed to conduct this operation, first conducting reconnaissance and then using what is called the "winching procedure" to save the fisherman.
Following this, the helicopter first circled the area of the incident before an aircrew member was lowered via a winch to help pick up the fisherman before flying to the nearest medical centre. This was followed by a series of synchronised manoeuvres of two Bolkow aircrafts and then a show of manoeuvres by four jet-skis, followed by the final demonstrations - a sail past and fly past.
- Article from Borneo Bulletin. Published on Friday Jun, 01 2012
