RIMBA, Friday 5 February 2016 – By consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and the Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) has officially ceased the flight operations of its fleet of Sikorsky Blackhawk S70A helicopters after 18 years of service, in a ceremony held today at the Air Movement Centre, Rimba Air Force Base.
Present as the guest of honour was the RBAirF Commander, Colonel (U) Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah. It was attended by the former pilots, engineers, and crew members as well as Colonel (Rtd) Hamid bin Nayan, the first Officer Commanding of the squadron and Head of the Blackhawk S70A Acquisition Project when it was introduced.
The event saw the signing off of the mock-up Technical Log Book F700 by the ex pilots and engineering officers to symbolise the ‘after flight’ procedure, and the ‘Letter of Consent’ by the former Officers Commanding of No. 14 Squadron to signify the release of the four helicopters.
The highlight of the ceremony was the ‘taxi past’ of one of the helicopters to the tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ in front of the saluting RBAirF personnel.
Earlier yesterday, two Blackhawk S70A helicopters took part in the traditional ‘last flight flypast’ over the Royal Brunei Land Force Garrisons in Tutong and Berakas, Training Institute in Penanjong, Defence Academy Complex in Tanah Jambu, Muara Naval Base, Sungai Akar Camp, and Bolkiah Garrison before making a ‘run-in and break’ over Rimba Air Force Base. Joining the flypast yesterday was the RBAirF Commander, who is also in the pioneer pilots batch of the fleet, and the former Officer Commanding of the squadron.
The Blackhawk S70A fleet was introduced in 1997, with proven capability to perform multi-task operations. The aircrafts were frequently used for support during disasters and rescue operations in the region, such as the deployment of two of the helicopters to Aceh, Sumatra during the post 2004 Tsunami Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operation. The fleet was also called upon to assist in a Search and Rescue operation to locate and rescue the helicopter crash victims in Ba Kelalan, Sarawak in July 2004. Other than that, the aircraft had participated by invitation during LIMA Airshow, Langkawi in 1997, and Singapore Airshow in 2000.
As the aircraft ceases operations, the S70i Blackhawks of No.11 Squadron will assume the duties previously carried out by the fleet.
RBAirF Commander signing the ‘Letter of Consent’
An RBAirF Blackhawk S70A lands on a jungle landing point during a resupply task
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operation in Aceh in January 2005
RBAirF Blackhawk S70A during a Search and Rescue Exercise