Muara Naval Base, Multi National Coordination Center, 3rd June 2014 – Exercise Hornbill is an annual bilateral exercise, alternately host between Brunei and Malaysia. Brunei, hosting this year’s 24th series have chosen to conduct the exercise planning conference (EPC) at the Multi National Coordination Centre (MNCC), Muara. Receiving the Malaysian delegates at the MNCC is Lt Col (L) Hj Yusof bin Masron, Fleet Commander, Royal Brunei Navy where he also had a courtesy call with the Malaysian representatives.The purpose of the EPC is to clarify both navies on certain parts of the exercise and also to discuss on certain matters where it can further be improved especially the exercise schedule of events. During the conference, a standard publication of reference for the exercise was proposed in order to avoid confusion especially on the preparation stage.
This year, the exercise will involve Field Training Exercise where a total of three phases which includes a harbor phase, sea phase and closing phase. Flight Deck Training Exercise was on the agenda as well as Joint Boarding Exercise. A total of 5 ships will be includes the Royal Brunei Navy Patrol Vessel (PV), Fast Patrol Boat (FPB) and Fast Interceptor Boat (FIB), whereas from the Malaysian side, it was discussed that their New Generation Patrol Vessel (NGPV) and Fast Attack Craft (FAC) will be participating.
Over the past decades, Brunei have enjoyed a tremendous working partnership with Malaysia, Exercise Hornbill is a good platform to showcase the profound teamwork that exist between both Navies and also an opportunity to improve the professionalism of both organization. In the EPC it was highlighted that a progression is necessary in order to move the bilateral exercise forward and thus an improvise version of the aims and objectives must be made aligned to suit the progression.
