RIMBA, Wednesday 05 September 2007- 44 Royal Brunei Air Force (TUDB) personnel and 35 Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) personnel is currently conducting a Search and Rescue joint exercise codenamed SAREX MALBRU hosted by the Royal Brunei Air Force. Held annually for the eight time since year 2000, the objectives of the exercise are:

- To enhance the cooperation and confidence building through communication in Search and Rescue operations.

- To enhance a robust planning, coordination, and implementation process in the Search and Rescue operations.

- To identify and introduce initiatives in improving the inter-operability and readiness capability for both parties in the Search and Rescue operations.

- To strengthen the long established relationship between Royal Brunei Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The exercise will be carried out within 5 nautical miles offshore of the Brunei Darussalam and Malaysian borders. The main Search and Rescue Centre for this exercise is allocated at the Royal Brunei Air Force Search and Rescue Centre in Rimba, Brunei and will be collaborating with the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Labuan.

The opening ceremony for SAREX MALBRU Exercise 08/2007 was held this morning at the Royal Brunei Air Force Rimba Air Base by the Base Commander Royal Brunei Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel (U) Lusir bin Sian this morning.