RIMBA AIR FORCE BASE, Friday, 25 April 2025 – The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) welcomed a visit from Air Commodore Michael Durant, Director General Strategy and Plans for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), as part of his trip to Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with the ANZAC Day commemorations.
Upon arrival at RBAirF Headquarters, Air Commodore Michael Durant and his delegation were received by Colonel (U) Hismawadi bin Haji Mohammad Said, Deputy Commander of RBAirF. The programme began with a courtesy call to the Deputy Commander, followed by a parchment signing to mark the occasion.
The visit continued with a corporate briefing delivered by Acting Assistant Chief of Staff A2, Major (U) Haji Ilhamdi bin Haji Md Dali, providing an overview of RBAirF's strategic direction, operational capabilities, and bilateral engagements with the RAAF. The delegation then proceeded to Hangar B for a tour of the RBAirF's static display, where they were introduced to a variety of key assets and systems including the Sikorsky S-70i helicopter, C295 aircraft, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) capabilities.
Also present during the visit were His Excellency Michael Hoy, Australian High Commissioner-designate to Brunei Darussalam, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Michael Sanderson, Australian Defence Adviser, and Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader, Islamic Chaplain for the RAAF. From the RBAirF side, the Commander Operations Group, Commandant Training Group, and key officers from No. 2 Wing also participated in the engagement.
The visit reaffirmed the strong and enduring defence partnership between Brunei Darussalam and Australia. It also served as a platform to explore opportunities for future collaboration in strategic planning, training exchanges, and operational cooperation between both air forces.
RBAirF expressed appreciation for the continued support from the RAAF and looks forward to enhancing the mutual relationship through future engagements and joint initiatives.
TUDB SAMBUT LAWATAN DARIPADA DIRECTOR GENERAL STRATEGY AND PLANS, RAAF
PANGKALAN TENTERA UDARA RIMBA, Jumaat, 25 April 2025 – Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB) telah menerima lawatan daripada Air Commodore Michael Durant, Director General Strategy and Plans bagi Tentera Udara Diraja Australia (RAAF), yang berada di Negara Brunei Darussalam bersempena dengan sambutan Hari ANZAC.
Setibanya di Markas TUDB, Air Commodore Michael Durant dan rombongan beliau telah disambut oleh Kolonel (U) Hismawadi bin Haji Mohammad Said, Timbalan Pemerintah TUDB. Atur cara dimulakan dengan kunjungan hormat kepada Timbalan Pemerintah, diikuti dengan penandatanganan lembaran kenangan sebagai tanda penghargaan sempena lawatan tersebut.
Lawatan diteruskan dengan taklimat korporat yang disampaikan oleh Pemangku Penolong Ketua Staf A2, Mejar (U) Haji Ilhamdi bin Haji Md Dali, yang membentangkan halatuju strategik, keupayaan operasi, serta penglibatan dua hala TUDB bersama RAAF. Rombongan kemudian dibawa ke Hangar B untuk lawatan ke pameran statik TUDB, di mana rombongan diperkenalkan dengan beberapa aset dan sistem utama termasuk helikopter Sikorsky S-70i, pesawat C295, serta keupayaan Sistem Udara Tanpa Pemandu (UAS).
Turut hadir semasa lawatan tersebut ialah Tuan Yang Terutama Michael Hoy, Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Australia ke Negara Brunei Darussalam, Leftenan Kolonel Paul Michael Sanderson, Penasihat Pertahanan Australia, dan Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader, Pegawai Agama Islam RAAF. Dari pihak TUDB pula, turut serta ialah Pemerintah Kumpulan Gerakan, Komandan Kumpulan Latihan, serta pegawai-pegawai dari Cawangan No. 2.
Lawatan ini menzahirkan hubungan pertahanan yang kukuh dan berpanjangan di antara Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Australia. Ia juga berperanan sebagai asas bagi meneroka peluang kerjasama strategik, pertukaran latihan, dan pengoperasian bersama pada masa hadapan.
TUDB merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan atas sokongan berterusan daripada RAAF dan berharap agar hubungan dua hala ini akan terus diperkukuhkan melalui penglibatan serta inisiatif bersama pada masa akan datang.
