BERAKAS GARRISON, Friday 21 November 2014 – The Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF) will be hosting a bilateral exercise dubbed ‘Exercise Semangat Waja VI’ next year from 13-26 April 2015. In preparation for this exercise, the RBLF conducted a 4-day Operation Planning Exercise (OPE) from 19 November 2014 and ended today with a closing ceremony held at the National Modelling & Simulation Centre (NMSC) in Anggerek Desa.
In a closing remark made by the guest of honour, Chief of Staff of the RBLF, Colonel Haji Muhd Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, said that the objectives of the Operation Planning Exercise were met, and that they are crucial to be carried out next year during the Exercise Semangat Waja VI. ThIS exercise will also coincide with Exercise Maju Bersama and Exercise Rintis Bersama 2015.
The focus of this OPE is on Low Intensity Conflict in the context of Stabilisation Operations involving Disaster Relief activities, internally Displaced Persons and Counter insurgency. The RBLF Chief of Staff highlighted, the interaction of OPE over the past 4 days shows that the RBLF can work hand in hand with other Armed Forces. This demonstrates that the collaboration and cooperation with other militaries and agencies to cope with challenges of such magnitude is a necessity.
The RBLF Chief of Staff also gave special thanks to the Officers 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), Tuker Line Garrison, Seria and the Singapore Army for their participation in this exercise which undoubtedly has enrich them with experience, different methods and broader perspectives which will benefit them in producing a sound plan for the Exercise Semangat Waja VI. He hoped that the friendship bonded during the OPE would be maintained and enhanced for future interactions. He also appreciated the support given by the Joint Force Headquarters Royal Brunei Armed Forces, NMSC and other the local participants during the whole preparations of OPE.
Also present during the closing ceremony were Group Captain Michael Christopher Longstaff, British Defence Advisor to Brunei Darussalam, Colonel Lee Yong Heng, Defence Advisor of the Republic of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam, and other Senior Officers from the Royal Brunei Land Forces.
Exercise Semangat Waja VI will involve troops from Singapore Army and one Company group from 1 RGR. The exercise will also mark the 20th anniversary of bilateral exercise between the RBLF and the Singapore Army.
