SG AKAR CAMP, Wednesday 6 February 2013 - The United States’ engagement in the Asia-Pacific reflects the continuous alliances among allies in the region to further build on multi-level relationships to allow the security environment to flourish, said Admiral Samuel J Locklear, III, Commander of the US Pacific Command (USPACOM).
The USPACOM Admiral said this while addressing the officer cadets and military officials during his visit yesterday to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Defence Academy at Sungai Akar Camp.
With the long-existing cultural, social, educational, financial and military ties, the USPACOM Admiral ensures that the US will continue to work together with its counterparts for the benefit of future generations.
“Our goal is to be a good partner, a good ally to our allies here. We want to see the security environment flourish so that our children and the generations to come could enjoy the good security and prosperity that we enjoy today.
“In order to achieve this, we have to work together, and that is why I’m here… to ensure that the people of Brunei understand what the USPACOM can contribute to the positive security environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, the USPACOM Admiral also highlighted the US involvement in the Asean Defence Minister’s Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief/Military Medicine (HADR/MM) Exercise.
He said that the exercise is a landmark cooperation amongst the best Mean defence forces which will be a large contribution towards building regional capacity that can address non-traditional security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in disaster management.
“This is also a great opportunity to learn about each other and enhance our ability to respond when needed,” said the PACOM Admiral, before adding that the US is looking forward to contributing where possible to Brunei in becoming a host to the major military exercise.
The exercise is scheduled to be held from June 16 to 20, 2013, back to back with the 2nd AHX. Both exercises are the major deliverables during Brunei Darussalam’s ADMM and ADMM-Plus Chairmanship this year.
The ADMM-Plus countries consist of the 10 Asean countries and also include Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the US.
The USPACOM Admiral also took the opportunity to convey his condolences for the victims of the tragic Bell 212 helicopter crash. “My heart and prayers goes to them. I’m glad that the US in a small way contributed in the investigation process that followed after the incident,” he said, before adding that with the involvement similar disasters can be avoided.
Meanwhile, in an interview with reporters, Admiral Samuel Locklear said that his visit to the Sultanate has exceeded his expectations.
During the course of his visit, he discussed many aspects of the US-Brunei security cooperation, including planned activities during the Asean Summit 2013 and other military-to-military training opportunities.
These were also some of the talking points that the PACOM Admiral shared when he was granted an audience with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Perthan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the RBAF.
The visit to the RBAF Defence Academy at Sungai Akar Camp marked the conclusion of his first visit to the country.
Also in attendance during yesterday’s visit were the Acting Ministry of Defence, Dato Paduka Haij Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, together with RBAF Commanders, high-ranking officials and the US Ambassador to Brunei, Daniel L Shields.
