KDB Darussalam, KDB Darulaman berjaya di RIMPAC

Oleh: Siaran Akhbar Kementerian Pertahanan / ABDB

HAWAII, Isnin, 14 Julai. - KDB Darussalam dan KDB Darulaman, Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB) telah membuktikan keupayaan melawan dengan menembak sistem peluru berpandu buat kali pertama.

Kedua kapal kelas peronda itu telah berjaya menjalankan latihan penembakan peluru berpandu permukaan ke permukaan Exocet MM40 Block II di Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), 80 batu nautika utara Pulau Kaua'i.

Melalui Siaran Akhbar Kementerian Pertahanan ke Pelita Brunei bahawa Kapal-kapal TLDB itu menyertai Rim Latihan Multinasional Pertama di Pasifik (RIMPAC) yang dianjurkan oleh Fleet Ketiga Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat di Hawaii selama sebulan.

KDB Darussalam dan KDB Darulaman mengambil bahagian dalam latihan 'Sink' (SINKEX) dengan negara-negara lain yang mengambil bahagian melepaskan peluru berpandu permukaan Exocet di sekitar jam 0920 (waktu tempatan 0320h).

Kedua-dua peluru berpandu telah dilancarkan dengan jayanya ke arah sasaran yang dimaksudkan pada masa yang sama pada jarak kira-kira 40 batu nautika.

Tembakan taktikal adalah bertujuan untuk mencapai keupayaan operasi penuh kapal kelas rondaan  KDB Darussalam, setelah selesai penglibatan peluru berpandu, kedua-dua kapal kembali ke Pearl Harbor untuk mengisi minyak sebelum menyertai latihan fasa laut seterusnya dengan Pasukan Petugas 175 pada 18 Julai lalu.

Pegawai dan anak-anak kapal telah bekerja tanpa mengenal penat lelah untuk memenuhi semua keperluan serta memastikan kapal itu kekal pada penyelenggaraan tahap tertinggi. Mereka telah membuktikan diri mereka boleh berurusan dengan evolusi itu dan dengan melengkapkan latihan itu. KDB Darussalam dan KDB Darulaman menambah pencapaian lain yang ketara dalam keupayaan operasinya dan menandakan satu lagi pencapaian penting bagi TLDB.

Selain daripada mencapai keupayaan operasi, meningkatkan kepercayaan dan keyakinan di kalangan tentera laut dunia, membina keupayaan juga telah dicapai. Membina keupayaan membuktikan untuk menjadi dogma yang sesuai dalam menghalang dan menentang untuk sebarang cabaran maritim. 

Kawasan keselamatan seperti RIMPAC 2014 memang memperuntukkan peluang dan TLDB pasti mendapat manfaat daripada pengalaman dan acara penting itu.

Menyaksikan latihan tembakan peluru hidup berpandu ialah Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, diiringi oleh Pemerintah TLDB, Laksamana Pertama Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit.

Latihan RIMPAC masih diteruskan dan akan berakhir pada 30 Julai ini, kedua-dua kapal TLDB dijadual berlepas ke Hawaii pada 4 Ogos nanti untuk belayar kembali ke Negara Brunei Darussalam.

Di kesempatan itu, satu majlis pengagihan kurma yang dikurniakan oleh Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam sempena bulan Ramadan juga telah diadakan untuk pegawai-pegawai dan anggota-anggota kedua buah kapal.

Pengagihan kurma telah disampaikan oleh Pemerintah TLDB, Laksamana Pertama Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit.

Ammunition shell from World War II found

Waqiuddin Rajak and Ak Md Khairuddin Pg Harun

BRUNEI-MUARA

Saturday, July 12, 2014

 Dr. Martie Geiger-Ho, a lecturer at UBD, who discovered the shell at the Berakas Forest Reserve yesterday. Picture: BT/Waqiuddin Rajak

The shell that was discovered at the Berakas Forest Reserve by Dr Martie Geiger-Ho, a lecturer at UBD. Picture: BT/Ridhwan Kamarulzaman

AN UNEXPLODED old ammunition shell, presumed to have been used during World War II, was discovered at the Berakas Forest Reserve yesterday.

Senior lecturer from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Dr Martie Geiger-Ho told The Brunei Times that she found the “ordnance” which she believed to be around 50 years old, whilst she was taking photographs around the area.

A team deployed by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) confirmed that the findings was that of an old ammunition, measuring about 17cm in length.

It will be disposed today at an undisclosed place by a team involving the police and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).

“It looks like rocket launcher ammo used during that period, looking at the size of it,” Dr Geiger-Ho said, estimating that the shell weighed about half a 500 millilitre bottled water.

She found it lying exposed at the side of a cliff presumed due to the process of erosion sometime 10.30 in the morning close to the recreational facilities of the beach.

Dr Geiger-Ho, who said she worked with United States military for more than three years, took the shell back to the university, where she believed it was safe as there were not that many people coming to the university yesterday.

Dr Geiger-Ho reasoned that she did this out of concern for public safety as children usually play around the recreational playground in the afternoon.

She was in dilemma whether to leave the shell behind that could disappear the next time she returned.

“Furthermore, I do not carry any flags with me, so there is no way I could mark the site to be able to return and point out the exact location to the proper authorities,” she said. “And at that time, I did not carry any mobile phones in my pocket; even if I did, I would not be able to know who to contact to since I am a foreigner,” she said, adding that she was only in Brunei for about two years.

The senior lecturer said she was aware that the object needs to be removed and disposed properly by the authority.

“To those who ever found similar objects, I would recommend them to call the proper authorities and take a photograph of the finding to be sent to them,” she said. “It is something that needs an urgent attention because these things can harm those who found them, especially children, who might do things that could detonate it, if it is still alive,” she added.

Members of the public should contact relevant authorities, such as the police through its hotline 993, in the event of such discovery.

The police also discourage members of the public to touch any suspicious object found as it could be dangerous.

It could still be active and explode unexpectedly upon contact, the police spokesperson said.

The Brunei Times

RBAirF looking to acquire C-130J Hercules

Rabiatul Kamit

BRUNEI-MUARA

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Brigadier General (U) Hj Wardi Hj Latip (C) delivering his speech at the RBAirF's 48th anniversary celebration. Courtesy of MinDef 

 

THE Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) is looking to acquire the C-130J Hercules transport aircraft as part of its capability modernisation.

Air Force Commander Brigadier General (U) Hj Wardi Hj Latip made the announcement yesterday during the 48th anniversary celebrations for the RBAirF held at the Rimba Air Force Base’s Parade Square.

Touted as Lockheed Martin’s finest aircraft, the C-130J Hercules will enable the RBAirF to boost its humanitarian contribution in the region.

“Since the organisation’s 48 years of establishment, RBAirF has seen many developments in the capability projects, which include the replacement of helicopters and acquisition planning in aircraft transportation,” said the commander.

In line with its capability modernisation, he added the RBAirF was also in the process of setting up its medium-range air defence system.

This year, the RBAirF will mark another historic milestone as its S-70i Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter will be fully operational on August 1. The new fleet will replace the Bell 212s, which will be phased out after 40 years of service.

In his speech, Brigadier General (U) Hj Wardi also stressed the importance of embodying the RBAirF’s core values of excellence, commitment and teamwork to strengthen the organisation.

He further called on all RBAirF personnel to manifest the Royal Brunei Armed Forces’ (RBAF) 53rd anniversary celebration theme of “RBAF Generation with a Vision” in overcoming the challenges they face while carrying out their duties.

The RBAirF’s anniversary celebration yesterday began with a parade comprising 292 personnel led by Major (U) Abdullah Hj Sabtu. Upon his arrival at the Rimba Air Force Base, Brigadier General (U) Hj Wardi received the salute from the guard of honour. The anniversary celebration also involved a cake-cutting ceremony.

During the celebration, First Warrant Officer Syahiran Hj Abu Bakar also received his appointment as the sergeant major of the RBAirF. Other events organised to mark the RBAirF’s 48th anniversary were the tahlil ceremony at the Royal Mausoleum and thanksgiving prayers. A golf tournament will also be held on June 25.

The Brunei Times

 

Brunei to buy military aircraft

Rabiatul Kamit

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, July 14, 2014

BRUNEI has confirmed that it will be buying a number of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft from aerospace firm Lockheed Martin.

Pehin Datu Perkerma Jaya Major General Dato Pahlawan Mohd Tawih Abdullah, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), told The Brunei Times that the military is set to order the American-made aircraft sometime in the future.

“We will be buying the aircraft, but it won’t be a lot,” he said, adding that the planned quantity and date of order will be revealed in due time.

Latest figures estimate the average cost of the C-130J Super Hercules at US$100 to 120 million per unit for international sales.

A total of 300 units have been ordered by 15 nations, including Brunei, of which 250 aircraft have been delivered as of February 2012.

In March, Brunei announced a record defence budget of $719.2 million for 2014 to 2015, up 39 per cent from the previous year. Equivalent to 3.3 per cent of GDP, it is also the biggest percentage since 1990.

Meanwhile, Colonel (U) Hj Hamzah Hj Sahat, Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), said the acquisition of the C-130J Super Hercules will allow them to significantly increase contribution to regional humanitarian aid operations.

He explained that purchasing the Lockheed Martin military transport aircraft was part of the RBAirF’s capability modernisation, which also includes the fleet of 12 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawks.

Used primarily by the United States military and Royal Air Force (RAF) of the British Armed Forces, the C-130J is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft with new engines, flight deck and other systems developed from the C-130 Hercules. Variants of the C-130 Hercules are also in service today with the armed forces of Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

The Brunei Times

New Aircraft for Royal Brunei Air Force

Written By: BruDirect.com

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Excellence, Commitment and Teamwork are the Core Values which are needed from every Royal Brunei Airforce members in order to strengthen the organisation more, in terms of capability, spiritual, expertise, professionalism as well as infrastructure. The said matter is important to every member of the Royal Brunei Airforce to steer towards the objective "RBAF Generation with a Vision".

RBAirF Commander, Brigadier General Hj Wardi Hj Latip stressed the said matter during the celebration of the Royal Brunei Airforce 48th Anniversary. The ceremony was held at the Punai Hall at the Royal Brunei Airforce base in Rimba.

The event started off with a parade ceremony. This year, RBAirF once again made history in advancing toward the modernization of its capabilities when S70i Sikorsky aircraft was scheduled to be fully operational on August 1.

Among other plans that have been schedule was to own a C130J transport aircraft, which was in line with RBAirF capability modernization steps.

The Commander of Royal Brunei Air Force in his speech emphasized that the RBAF anniversary celebration theme this year "RBAF Generation with a Vision" should be absorbed and inspirited to each member of the RBAirF in overcoming the challenges of every assignment.

The ceremony also included a promotion ceremony for Md Syahiran Hj Abu Bakar from First Warrant Officer to Major Sergeant. ©BRUDIRECT.COM

- Wednesday, 25 June 2014.

TUDB lakar sejarah mempermodenkan keupayaan

Oleh: Siaran Akhbar ABDB

PEMERINTAH TUDB, Brigadier Jeneral (U) Haji Wardi bin Haji Latip memotong kek Hari Ulang Tahun TUDB Ke-48. (Foto: Ihsan ABDB)

GADONG, Selasa, 24 Jun. - Sambutan Hari Ulang Tahun (HUT) Ke-48 bagi Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB) diraikan dengan pelbagai aktiviti yang acara kemuncak perbarisan yang berlangsung di Padang Kawad Markas TUDB.

Seramai 292 anggota TUDB terlibat di perbarisan itu yang diketuai oleh 551 Mejar (U)Abdullah bin Haji Sabtu.

Hadir menerima tabik hormat ialah Pemerintah TUDB, Brigadier Jeneral (U) Haji Wardi bin Haji Abdul Latip dalam ucapannya antara lain menekankan, mengenai tema Sambutan HUT Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) 'Generasi ABDB Berwawasan' untuk seharusnya diserapkan dan dijiwai oleh setiap warga TUDB di dalam mengatasi cabaran di setiap tugasan.

TETAMU kehormat memeriksa perbarisan terdiri dari 292 anggota TUDB. (Foto : Ihsan ABDB)

Beliau menambah, kepentingan bagi setiap warga TUDB agar menanamkan nilai-nilai teras TUDB - Cemerlang, Komited dan Berpasukan - dalam usaha untuk memantapkan lagi organisasi ini.

Semenjak 48 tahun penubuhannya, TUDB telah menyaksikan banyak perkembangan di dalam bentuk keupayaan yang termasuk projek penggantian pesawat helikopter dan perancangan dalam pemerolehan pesawat pengangkutan.

Tahun ini, TUDB melakar sejarah dengan bergerak maju mempermodenkan keupayaannya bila mana pesawat Sikorsky S70i dijadualkan beroperasi sepenuhnya pada 1 Ogos nanti.

MAJLIS Pelantikan Sarjan Mejar TUDB 11480 PW1 Muhd. Syahiran bin Haji Abu Bakar. (Foto : Ihsan ABDB)

Dalam menseimbangkan fasa permodenan tersebut, Bell 212 akan dihentikan operasinya setelah berkhidmat dan berjasa kepada negara selama 40 tahun, antara perancangan lain yang telah direncanakan selaras dengan langkah permodenan keupayaan TUDB melibatkan perancangan dalam memiliki pesawat pengangkutan C130J dan keupayaan 'Medium-Range Air Defence' yang kini giat di dalam proses perancangan.

Doa kesyukuran diadakan di Dewan Punai sejurus perbarisan dan diteruskan dengan Majlis Pelantikan Sarjan Mejar TUDB 11480 PW1 Muhd. Syahiran bin Haji Abu Bakar kini telah dilantik untuk memegang tampuk pimpinan tersebut.

Antara acara lain yang diaturkan di sepanjang sambutan HUT TUDB ialah Majlis Bertahlil di Kubah Makam Diraja yang diadakan pada 23 Jun 2014, doa kesyukuran pada 24 Jun dan perlawanan golf pada 25 Jun 2014.

- Pelita Brunei Online.Khamis, 26 Jun 2014.