KOTA KINABALU, SABAH Thursday, 19 November 2015 – Today marked the conclusion of Exercise HORNBILL 25/15, with the closing ceremony and deactivation of Task Group 25.0 at Sepangar Naval Base, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
The ceremony was officiated by the guest of honour, Commander Pg Mohammad bin Pg Haji Damit, Fleet Commander Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).
Also present at the closing ceremony was the Commander of Naval Region 2 Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Yang Berbahagia Rear Admiral Datuk Khairul Anuar bin Yahya.
Exercise HORNBILL 25/15 was conducted in three phases namely Harbour Phase, Sea Phase and Post Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase consisted of several professional exchange programs and interactions that included Night Encounter Exercise (NEX) planning and briefing as well as exercise serial planning and serial discussion between both participating units.
To further strengthen the relationship between the two navies, a sports interaction, named the HORNBILL Cup, consisting of futsal, volleyball and tug-of-war was organised between combined team of RBN and RMN during the Harbour Phase. The Harbour Phase was conducted at Muara Naval Base from 13 until 15 November 2015.
Ships sailed for the Sea Phase on 16th November 2015 and arrived in Kota Kinabalu on 18th November 2015. The three days sea phase included exercises such as Minefield Transit, Tactical Ship Maneuvers, Surface Firing Exercise, Flag Hoist Exercise, Publication Exercise, Flashing Exercise, NEX, Helo Deck Landing and Winching Exercise, Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIOP) i.e. Boarding Exercise, Anti-Air Firing against an aerial tow target which was conducted in Malaysian waters, Replenishment At Sea, as well as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exercise. The interoperability and understanding between the two navies had been proven by the safe and successful execution of both the Harbour and Sea Phase.
Upon completion of the Sea Phase, both participating navies convened for a Hot Wash-Up (debrief) session, hosted by the combined staff from RMN, where all the lessons learnt were shared and reviewed for the benefit of future exercise. A reception on board KDB DARUTTAQWA hosted by RBN was conducted on 19 November 2015.
RBN ships are due to leave Sepangar Naval Base, Kota Kinabalu on 20 November 2015.
