Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) commenced their five days bilateral naval exercise codenamed Exercise HORNBILL 21/2011 commence from 19th December 2011 until 23rd December 2011.
The opening ceremony of the exercise was held in the Royal Brunei Navy Headquarters on Monday 19th December 2011. The opening ceremony was officiated by First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Abdul Halim bin Hj Mohd Hanifah , Commander of Royal Brunei Navy and in attendance of Rear Admiral Dato’ Anuwi bin Hassan , Commander Naval Region II, Royal Malaysian Navy.
Exercise HORNBILL this year is hosted by RBN, which starts at Negara Brunei Darussalam and ends at Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia. The aim of the exercise is to strengthen the diplomatic relationship and as well to enhance mutual co-operation and understanding through the development of common operational doctrines and procedures in naval evolution and maritime warfare.
Two RBN ships are participating in the exercise, namely KDB IJHTIHAD and KDB AFIAT. Meanwhile, the RMN ships taking part in the exercise are KD KEDAH and KD GANAS. The total number of participants involved from both navies is 200 officers and men.
The Commander Task Group for the exercise is Lieutenant Colonel (L) Abang Abas bin Abang Haji Omarzuki , Commanding Officer Training RBN and he is deputised by Commander Abd Rahman bin Md Saat . The closing ceremony will be held on 23rd December 2011 in Kota Kinabalu Sabah by Rear Admiral Dato’ Anuwi bin Hassan, Commander Naval Region II, Royal Malaysian Navy.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , December 20, 2011; Image: mindef