RIMBA AIR FORCE BASE, Saturday, 30 August 2025 – Two F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) made their first visit to Rimba Air Force Base, marking the debut of the RAAF's fifth- generation fighter capability in Brunei Darussalam. The aircraft were accompanied by a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, which provided refuelling, logistics, and passenger support for the deployment.
Lieutenant Colonel (U) Mohd Hairy Erwandy bin Haji Raya, Commander Operations Group, Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), welcomed His Excellency Michael Hoy, Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, and Air Commodore Pete Robinson, Commander Air Combat Group, RAAF, at the Air Movement Centre. Also present were officers from the Command and Staff Course 15/2025, RBAF, as well as aircrew from No. 1 Wing, Operations Group, RBAirF.
Prior to the event, attendees had the opportunity to observe the arrival and marshalling of the aircraft on the flight line, offering a rare opportunity to view the fifth-generation fighters up close. The capability briefing and static display were conducted by the F-35A pilots, Wing Commander Benjamin Sawley and Squadron Leader Matthew Holecekof. The visit concluded with a group photo session and the exchange of mementos between Commander Operations Group and the F-35A crew.
This visit reflects the continued strengthening of defence diplomacy between Brunei Darussalam and Australia. RBAirF remains committed to enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation with the RAAF through continued engagements.
TENTERA UDARA DIRAJA BRUNEI MENERIMA LAWATAN F-35A LIGHTNING II DARI TENTERA UDARA DIRAJA AUSTRALIA DI PUSAT PERGERAKAN UDARA, PANGKALAN UDARA RIMBA
PANGKALAN TENTERA UDARA RIMBA, Sabtu, 30 Ogos 2025 – Dua buah pesawat pejuang F-35A Lightning II dari Tentera Udara Diraja Australia (RAAF) telah membuat
lawatan ke Pangkalan Udara Rimba, yang menandakan kehadiran pertama keupayaan pesawat pejuang generasi kelima RAAF di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Pesawat-pesawat tersebut diiringi oleh sebuah pesawat KC-30A
Multi-Role Tanker Transport bagi bantuan pengisian minyak, logistik dan penumpang sepanjang penugasan. Leftenan Kolonel (U) Mohd Hairy Erwandy bin Haji Raya, Ketua Kumpulan Gerakan, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB), telah menyambut ketibaan Tuan Yang Terutama
Michael Hoy, Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Australia ke Negara Brunei Darussalam, serta
Air Commodore Pete Robinson,
Commander Air Combat Group, RAAF, di Pusat Pergerakan Udara. Turut hadir ialah para pegawai dari Kursus Maktab Turus 15/2025, ABDB dan anggota dari Cawagan No.1, Kumpulan Gerakan, TUDB.
Sebelum acara bermula, para hadirin berpeluang menyaksikan ketibaan dan pergerakan pesawat ke apron, yang memberikan peluang untuk melihat lebih dekat pesawat pejuang generasi kelima berkenaan. Taklimat keupayaan dan paparan statik telah disampaikan oleh juruterbang F-35A,
Wing Commander Benjamin Sawley dan
Squadron Leader Matthew Holecekof. Lawatan diakhiri dengan sesi bergambar ramai dan pertukaran cenderahati antara Ketua Kumpulan Gerakan dan kru F-35A.
Lawatan ini mencerminkan usaha berterusan dalam memperkukuh diplomasi pertahanan antara Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Australia. Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei tetap komited untuk mempertingkatkan persefahaman dan kerjasama dengan Tentera Udara Diraja Australia melalui hubungan yang erat dan berterusan.
.jpeg)
