The 29th instalment of Exercise HORNBILL, a collaborative effort between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), took place in Brunei Darussalam, spanning from Sunday, 22nd October 2023 until Saturday, 28th October 2023. This year’s iteration showcased the maritime prowess of KDB DARULAMAN, KDB BERKAT, and the Naval Surface Action Group (NAVSAG) from RBN, along with the dynamic presence of RMN’s KD PERAK and KD BADIK. Occurring biennially, this bilateral exercise serves as a pivotal platform for the exchange of crucial information, fostering an environment geared towards enhancing interoperability between these two naval forces.
This year’s exercise was conducted in three phases consisting of Harbour Phase, Sea Phase and Post Exercise Phase, each playing a unique role in strengthening the bonds between the participating navies.
The exercise commenced with the Harbour Phase on Monday, 23rd October 2023, featuring a series of events aimed at enhancing unity and collaboration between the participating navies. Among the highlights were the exercise opening ceremony and courtesy calls, where RMN ships’ Commanding Officers paid respects to RBN Fleet Commander, Captain Khairil Haji Abdul Rahman. The opening ceremony held at the RBN Naval Training Centre, was officiated by the RBN Fleet Commander. His remarks emphasized the enduring significance of this exercise, emphasizing their pivotal role in elevating training standards, and by extension, bolstering collective security and defence capabilities.
Other activities during this phase encompassed, operation discussions and planning, the Pre-Sail brief, and the highly anticipated HORNBILL Cup competition. The sporting events, including futsal, volleyball, and Tug-of-war, not only showcased the athletic prowess of the participants but also fostered an atmosphere of camaraderie and spirited competition, further strengthening the bonds between the naval forces of both nations.
The heart of the exercise beat during the intense 2-day Sea Phase, transpiring from 25th October to 26th October 2023. This period saw the execution of a spectrum of exercises including Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres, Photo Exercise, Gunnery Exercise, Screen Exercise, Flaghoist, Publication Exercise, Flashing Exercise, Night Encounter Exercise, Critical Contact of Interest Tracking, and Boarding Exercise. The flawless execution of these exercises underscored the professionalism and dedication of the participating naval units, with each serial achieving its objectives and goals seamlessly.
Following the Sea Phase, officers and crews of participating ships gathered for a curry lunch hosted by the RBN Fleet Commander at the Officers’ Mess for RMN Eastern Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Datuk Haji Muhammad Ruzelme bin Haji Ahmad Fahimy, RMN. The Post Exercise Phase also included a Hot Wash-Up session, providing an opportunity for constructive dialogue and a review of lessons learned during the Sea Phase. The day concluded with a leisurely dinner at Nur Wanita Restaurant, Serasa Beach, hosted by RBN Fleet Commander, fostering a relaxed atmosphere for further relationship building.
As part of a community relations (COMREL) activity, a beach cleaning campaign was conducted at Muara Beach on October 27th, 2023, in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Parks, and Recreation (JASTRe), Ministry of Development. This initiative not only contributed to environmental conservation but also deepened the sense of unity and camaraderie between the RBN and RMN personnel. The presence of the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Raja Dato’ Reza Raja Zaib Shah, as the Guest of Honour, further highlighted the significance of this collaborative effort.
The deck reception hosted onboard KD PERAK provided the perfect backdrop for a profound exchange of experiences and camaraderie among the officers and crews. The reception was also a platform for cultural exchange allowing participants to share the rich heritage of their nations. Present at the reception were the Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, Captain Haji Sarif Pudin bin Mat Serudin, RBN, RMN Eastern Fleet Commander, RBN Fleet Commander, ships Commanding Officers, ships officers and company.
The exercise culminated in a meaningful courtesy call, where the Eastern Fleet Commander of RMN, Vice Admiral Datuk Haji Muhammad Ruzelme bin Haji Ahmad Fahimy, RMN, engaged in a fruitful conversation with the Acting Commander of RBN, Captain Haji Sarif Pudin bin Mat Serudin, RBN. The closing ceremony and deactivation of Task Group 29.0 were officiated by Vice Admiral Datuk Haji Muhammad Ruzelme bin Haji Ahmad Fahimy, RMN, who emphasized the exercise’s crucial role in enhancing the interoperability of both navies, paving the way for more effective joint operations. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to all personnel for their exceptional contributions, making Exercise HORNBILL 29/2023 a resounding success.
