RIMBA AIR FORCE BASE, Wednesday, 29 October 2025 – The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) successfully concluded the three-day Bilateral Search and Rescue Exercise, SAREX MALBRU 12/2025.
The SAREX MALBRU 12/2025, conducted from 27 to 29 October 2025, took place at Rimba Air Force Base with flight operations extending over Brunei Waters and Tutong District. The exercise was co-chaired by Major (U) Emad Hamdi bin Haji Sawal, Commanding Officer of No. 1 Wing, RBAirF, and Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Asmil Faiq bin Adnan, Commanding Officer of No. 5 Squadron, RMAF.
Established under the long-standing cooperative SAR framework between both air forces since 1997, SAREX MALBRU serves as an essential platform to strengthen interoperability and validate combined standard operating procedures. The exercise aimed to enhance operational readiness, practise coordinated SAR techniques, and foster professional exchange among participating personnel through the sharing of knowledge, experience, and best practices.
This year's iteration featured simulated maritime and land incidents requiring joint aerial search coordination. A highlight of the exercise was the close integration between SAR Mission Coordinators (SMCs) from both air forces, which proved crucial in the planning and execution of complex cross-border SAR operations.
The exercise saw the participation of specialised assets and personnel from both countries. The RBAirF deployed the S-70i Blackhawk helicopter and personnel from No. 1 Wing, 31 Squadron, and 37 Squadron of No. 3 Wing, while the RMAF contributed an EC-725 AP helicopter, support personnel from No. 5 Squadron, and the PASKAU SAR Detachment Team from Labuan Air Base.
A closing ceremony was held at the Air Movement Center, Rimba Air Force Base, to mark the successful conclusion of the exercise. The Guest of Honour, Lieutenant Colonel (U) Pengiran Mohd Zulhusmi bin Pengiran Mohd Roslan, Commander Operations Group of the RBAirF, expressed his appreciation to all participants for their dedication and professionalism throughout the exercise. He emphasised the importance of maintaining interoperability and reaffirmed the enduring commitment of both air forces towards strengthening bilateral defence relations between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.
TENTERA UDARA DIRAJA BRUNEI DAN TENTERA UDARA DIJARAJA MELAYSIA MENGUKUHKAN KEUPAYAAN MENCARI DAN MENYELAMAT (SAR) DALAM EKSESAIS DUA HALA SAREX MALBRU KE 12/2025.
PANGKALAN TENTERA UDARA RIMBA, Rabu, 30 Oktober 2025 – Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB) dan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) telah berjaya menamatkan Latihan Mencari dan Menyelamat (SAR) Bersama Dua Hala, SAREX MALBRU Ke-12/2025. Latihan selama tiga hari itu telah diadakan dari 27 hingga 29 Oktober 2025 bertempat di Pangkalan TUDB Rimba dengan operasi penerbangan meliputi Perairan Brunei dan Daerah Tutong.
Latihan ini diketuai bersama oleh Mejar (U) Emad Hamdi bin Haji Sawal, Pegawai Pemerintah Cawangan No. 1, TUDB dan Leftenan Kolonel Mohd Asmil Faiq bin Adnan, Pegawai Pemerintah Skuadron No. 5, TUDM.
Berpandukan kepada kerangka kerjasama SAR yang telah terjalin antara kedua-dua angkatan udara sejak tahun 1997, SAREX MALBRU berperanan sebagai platform penting bagi memperkukuh keupayaan interoperabiliti serta mengukuhkan prosedur operasi tetap bersama. Latihan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kesiapsiagaan operasi, mempraktikkan teknik SAR secara berkoordinasi, dan memupuk pertukaran pengetahuan serta pengalaman melalui perkongsian amalan terbaik antara anggota yang terlibat.
Eksesais pada tahun ini menampilkan simulasi insiden maritim dan darat yang memerlukan pencarian udara bersepadu. Salah satu elemen utama ialah kerjasama rapat antara Penyelaras Misi SAR (SMC) daripada kedua-dua angkatan udara yang berperanan penting dalam perancangan dan pelaksanaan operasi SAR kompleks di kawasan sempadan.
Latihan ini turut menyaksikan penglibatan aset dan anggota khas daripada kedua-dua negara. TUDB melibatkan helikopter S-70i Blackhawk serta anggota daripada Cawangan No. 1, Skuadron 31 dan Skuadron 37 daripada Cawangan No. 3, manakala TUDM menyumbang sebuah helikopter EC-725 AP, anggota bantuan daripada Skuadron No. 5 dan pasukan PASKAU SAR Detachment dari Pangkalan Tentera Udara Labuan.
Majlis penutup Eksesais SAREX MALBRU Ke-12/2025 telah diadakan di Pusat Pergerakan Udara, Pangkalan Tentera Udara Rimba bagi menandakan kejayaan penutupan latihan tersebut. Tetamu Kehormat, Leftenan Kolonel (U) Pengiran Mohd Zulhusmi bin Pengiran Mohd Roslan, Pemerintah Kumpulan Gerakan TUDB, dalam ucapannya menekankan kepentingan interoperabiliti dan nilai hubungan pertahanan yang telah lama terjalin antara kedua-dua angkatan udara, serta menegaskan komitmen berterusan kedua-dua pihak terhadap pengukuhan hubungan pertahanan dua hala antara Negara Brunei Darussalam dan Malaysia.
