BOLKIAH GARISSON, Tuesday, 5 April 2016 – His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces consented to visit and observe Exercise Hikmat Bersatu V/2016 (HB V/2016) this morning.
On arrival at Bolkiah Garrison, His Royal Highness was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Defence, First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar. Heads of the working groups for Exercise HB V/2016 were also introduced upon His Royal Highness’ arrival at Bolkiah Garrison.
His Royal Highness proceeded to the Briefing Room, Joint Operation Centre where Commander of RBAF gave his welcoming address before hearing a briefing from the Exercise Director of HB V/2016, Colonel Haji Abdul Hadi bin Haji Saim, Director of Personnel, Ministry of Defence. His Royal Highness was then presented with an operational HB V/2016 briefing, which was delivered by Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, Joint Force Commander RBAF.
At the end of the briefing, His Royal Highness had a closer look at the Joint Operation Centre and its components in joint operation planning. Before departing by helicopter to the Field Firing Area, Binturan Range, His Royal Highness witnessed a press conference at the RBAF Museum as part of the exercise scenario.
The arrival of His Royal Highness at the Field Firing Area, Binturan Range was greeted by Brigadier General Pg Dato Seri Pahlawan Aminan bin Pg Haji Mahmud, Commander of Royal Brunei Land Forces and Colonel Haji Abidin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Commandant Training Institute RBAF who is the Deputy Exercise Director. His Royal Highness witnessed operations conducted by the Royal Brunei Land Forces and the Special Force Regiment RBAF.
Exercise Hikmat Bersatu V at this time focused on the security threat scenario involving a terrorist group called ‘One Mapan Group’ (OMG) from a fictitious country ‘HILAGA’ who are in hiding in the country.
Prior to the live ammunition attack demonstration, His Royal Highness consented to receive a briefing from Major Faizal bin Basri of the Special Force Regiment and Major Zuraihi bin Haji Awang Haji Ash’ari from the Royal Brunei Land Forces on the demonstrations and assets involved.
His Royal Highness then consented to witness the first phase of joint operations, preceded by rescuing hostages by the Special Forces Regiment with the support of the Royal Brunei Air Force assets. The demonstration continued with the second phase where the Royal Brunei Land Force troops were mobilized to eradicate the remnants of the enemy in the region.
After the demonstrations, His Royal Highness then consented to shoot a powerful weapon the M2HB 50 caliber and was introduced to personnel involved in the success of the Exercise.
His Royal Highness then proceeded to Bukit Agok by helicopter and was greeted by Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Ma’awiah, Commander of Royal Brunei Air Force upon arrival. A briefing was delivered by the Acting Commanding Officer No. 2 Wing, Royal Brunei Air Force before His Royal Highness witnessed live firing of the Mistral missile.
In the Exercise Hikmat Bersatu V scenario, the firing of a mistral missile was to defend BLUELAND airspace from enemy threats. The scenario of Exercise Hikmat Bersatu V for No 2 Wing, Royal Brunei Air Force is that there was an air space threat from terrorist activities that had hijacked a commercial aircraft which was missing at `HILAGA’ and believed to be carrying explosives which is intended to be used to attack BLUELAND airspace. No. 2 Wing, Royal Brunei Air Force is responsible for defending the BLUELAND air space by shooting the hijacked aircraft using mistral missile. The stolen aircraft changed direction to an unknown location when realising that an air defence detachment will shoot down the aircraft.
The aim of Exercise Hikmat Bersatu V this time is to showcase the reaction and air defence capabilities in response to attacks from enemy threats from air space. The conduct of this Exercise is to set the preparedness and to test the Royal Brunei Air Force response to threats. This Exercise is expected to provide useful lessons and experiences for each member involved.
From Bukit Agok His Royal Highness proceeded to the Muara Naval Base by helicopter and was received by First Admiral Pg Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pg Haji Muhammad, Commander of Royal Brunei Navy. His Royal Highness witnessed an exercise scenario of public demonstration and had a closer look at the Naval Operation Centre. The Hikmat Bersatu V scenario of the public demonstrations involved local fishermen at the BLUELAND who were expressing their discontent at the impact of OMG activities on the livelihood of the local fishing community and concerns over their safety at sea. His Royal Highness then consented to board KDB DARULAMAN to witness maritime operations. Meanwhile the scenario at sea was associated with militant group OMG taking the opportunity to attack the naval base when the riot was ongoing but was defeated by the Blueland Navy.
His Royal Highness later consented to attend a luncheon with the RBAF senior officials involved in the exercise at Muara Officers’ Mess. Before leaving, His Royal Highness consented to receive a ‘pesambah’ and then signed the Royal Parchment, as well as a group photo session.
The Exercise kicked off on 1 April and will effectively end on 7 April 2016. Also providing support throughout the Exercise are the 1st Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), Gurkha Reserve Unit, Royal Brunei Police Force, District Offices, as well as a few mukims and villages.
Exercise Hikmat Bersatu held this year is the fifth in series of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Exercise since its inception in 2003. The concept of Exercise HB V/2016 is a continuation from the Exercise Perisai Kebangsaan 4/2015 (EPK 4 /2015), focusing mainly on non-traditional security threats.
DPMM BERKENAN TINJAU EKSESAIS HB V
BOLKIAH GARISON, Selasa, 5 April 2016 – Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Jeneral Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Menteri Kanan di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Jeneral Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei telah berkenan berangkat untuk menyaksikan secara dekat Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu V/2016 (HB V/2016).
Keberangkatan tiba Duli Yang Teramat Mulia di Bolkiah Garison telah dijunjung oleh Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan, Laksamana Pertama (B) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Pemerintah Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB), Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mejar Jeneral Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah dan Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pertahanan, Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar. Ketua-Ketua Working Groups bagi Eksesais HB V/2016 telah disembah kenalkan kepada Duli Yang Teramat Mulia semasa keberangkatan di Bolkiah Garison.
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia kemudian berkenan beredar ke Bilik Taklimat Markas Angkatan Bersama bagi sembah alu-aluan dari Pemerintah ABDB dan berkenan mendengarkan sembah taklimat Eksesais HB V/2016 dari Kolonel Haji Abdul Hadi bin Haji Saim, Pengarah Keanggotaan, Kementerian Pertahanan selaku Pengarah Eksesais serta sembah taklimat Operasi HB V/2016 dari Brigadier Jeneral (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, Pemerintah Angkatan Bersama ABDB.
Sejurus selepas itu, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan beredar untuk menyaksikan secara dekat Pusat Gerakan Bersama dan komponen-komponen di bawah Pusat Gerakan Bersama di dalam merancang operasi bersama. Sebelum berangkat menaiki helikopter ke Field Firing Area, Padang Tembak Binturan, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan menyaksikan Persidangan Media di Muzium ABDB, yang merupakan salah satu aktiviti dalam scenario eksesais.
Keberangkatan tiba Duli Yang Teramat Mulia di Field Firing Area, Binturan dijunjung oleh Brigadier Jeneral Pg Dato Seri Pahlawan Aminan bin Pg Haji Mahmud, Pemerintah Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei dan Kolonel Haji Abidin bin Haji Abd Hamid, Komandan Institut Latihan ABDB selaku Timbalan Pengarah Eksesais. Di Field Firing Area, Padang Tembak Binturan, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan menyaksikan secara dekat operasi Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei dan Rejimen Pasukan Khas ABDB.
Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu V pada kali ini memberi tumpuan terhadap senario ancaman keselamatan yang melibatkan kumpulan pengganas ‘One Mapan Group’ (OMG) dari negara khalayan ‘HILAGA’ yang bersembunyi di negara ini.
Sebelum menyaksikan pertunjukkan serangan peluru hidup, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan mendengar sembah taklimat daripada Mejar Faizal bin Basri daripada Rejimen Pasukan Khas dan Mejar Awang Haji Zuraihi bin Awang Haji Ash’ari daripada Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei tentang perlaksanaan pertunjukkan serta aset-aset yang terlibat.
Kemudian Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan menyaksikan pertunjukkan yang mana pada fasa pertama gerakan bersama, di dahului dengan operasi menyelamat tawanan oleh Rejimen Pasukan Khas dan di bantu oleh aset-aset TUDB. Pertunjukan diteruskan dengan fasa kedua dimana pasukan TDDB telah digerakkan bagi membasmi saki baki musuh di kawasan tersebut.
Selesai menyaksikan pertunjukkan, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia seterusnya berkenan untuk menembak senjata kuat jenis M2HB 50 kaliber dan di sembah kenalkan bersama anggota-anggota yang terlibat dalam menjayakan latihan tersebut.
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia kemudian dijunjung menaiki helikopter menuju ke Bukit Agok. Keberangkatan tiba di Bukit Agok dijunjung oleh Kolonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Ma’awiah, Pemerintah Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei. Semasa di Bukit Agok, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan mendengar taklimat ringkas dari Pemangku Pegawai Pemerintah Cawangan Nombor 2, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei dan seterusnya dijunjung berangkat bagi menyaksikan penembakan Peluru Berpandu Mistral.
Didalam senario Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu V, penembakan peluru berpandu mistral adalah bagi mempertahankan ruang udara negara BLUELAND dari ancaman musuh. Konsep Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu V bagi Cawangan No. 2, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei adalah merupakan ancaman udara dari aktiviti pengganas yang telah merampas pesawat komersial hilang di Hilaga dan dipercayai membawa bahan letupan. Pesawat ini dipercayai kemudian akan digunakan untuk menyerang ruang udara BLUELAND. No. 2 Wing, Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei bertanggungjawab untuk mempertahankan ruang udara BLUELAND dengan menembak pesawat yang dirampas menggunakan peluru berpandu mistral. Pesawat yang di rampas telah menukar arah menuju ke tempat yang tidak diketahui setelah mendapati detasmen pertahanan udara akan membuat penembakan ke atas pesawat berkenaan.
Tujuan Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu V pada kali ini adalah bagi memperlihatkan reaksi dan kemampuan pertahanan udara di dalam menangkis sebarang ancaman musuh dari ruangan udara. Latihan ini diadakan untuk mempersiap siagakan dan menguji Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei dalam bertindak apabila menerima ancaman. Latihan ini diharapkan dapat memberi pengajaran dan pengalaman yang berguna kepada setiap anggota yang terbabit.
Dari Bukit Agok, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia dijunjung berangkat menaiki helikopter ke Pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei. Keberangkatan tiba Duli Yang Teramat Mulia dijunjung oleh Laksamana Pertama Pg Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pg Haji Muhammad, Pemerintah Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei. Di Pangkalan Tentera Laut, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan menyaksikan demonstrasi tunjuk perasaan oleh orang awam dan seterusnya meninjau secara dekat Pusat Gerakan Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei dan sistem pengawalan keselamatan Pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei. Senario Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu V bagi operasi kawasan laut melibatkan rusuhan oleh nelayan tempatan di pangkalan tentera laut BLUELAND dimana aktiviti-aktiviti OMG telah mengakibatkan pengekangan kesan ekonomi setempat pada masyarakat nelayan serta kebimbangan mereka terhadap keselamatan maritim. Duli Yang Teramat Mulia juga telah dijunjung berangkat ke KDB DARULAMAN bagi menyaksikan operasi di Laut. Seterusnya, senario di laut menunjukkan pihak OMG mengambil peluang untuk menyerang Pangkalan Tentera Laut semasa rusuhan itu akan tetapi telah ditumpaskan oleh Tentera Laut BLUELAND.
Keberangkatan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia bagi Eksesais HB V/2016 berakhir di Mes Pegawai Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei bagi Majlis Santap Ringan, menyembahkan Pesambah, menandatangan lembaran kenangan dan bergambar ramai.
Eksesais ini telah bermula sejak 1 April dan akan berakhir pada 7 April 2016. Turut memberi bantuan di dalam Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu V/2016 adalah Battalion Pertama Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), Pasukan Simpanan Gurkha, Pasukan Polis Diraja Brunei, Jabatan-Jabatan Daerah, beberapa Mukim dan Kampong. Eksesais ini melibatkan beberapa kawasan di perairan Negara Brunei Darussalam dan beberapa kawasan pendalaman, perumahan dan komersial termasuk jalan-jalan raya di beberapa tempat di Daerah Brunei dan Muara, Daerah Belait, Daerah Tutong dan Daerah Temburong.
Eksesais Hikmat Bersatu pada tahun ini merupakan kali ke-lima sejak ianya mula dilaksanakan pada tahun 2003. Konsep Eksesais HB V/2016 adalah kesinambungan dari Eksesais Perisai Kebangsaan 4/2015 (EPK 4/2015) dan tertumpu kepada ancaman bukan tradisional (non-traditional security threats).