MUARA, Thursday, 18 October 2018 – Exercise PENGUIN, a bilateral exercise conducted biennially between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), has reached its 18th serial. This year, the RBN is hosting Exercise PENGUIN in Brunei Darussalam which will be held from the 18th of October to the 22nd of October 2018.
The opening ceremony took place this morning at the Multi National Coordination Centre (MNCC), Muara Naval Base. Present as the guest of honor during the Opening Ceremony was Captain Zil Husam bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Fleet Commander of RBN. Also present was Captain Jason Hunter, Captain Patrol Boats, RAN.
The Exercise Task Group 18.1 was activated by the Fleet Commander of RBN and will be led by Commander Rasman bin Puteh, Acting Commanding Officer of KDB DARULAMAN as the Command Task Group (CTG) 18.1 and Lieutenant Commander James Brewster, Commanding Officer of HMAS LAUNCHESTON as the Deputy Command Task Group (DCTG) 18.1. The task group consists of HMAS LAUNCESTON of RAN and KDB DARULAMAN and KDB BERKAT of RBN.
This bilateral exercise features both ashore and sea training activities. The harbor phase will involve theoretical seminars which aim to share knowledge on certain areas especially Boarding Operations, which falls under Maritime Interdiction Operations and meanwhile the sea phase aim to develop naval coordination which includes Minefield Transit, Maneuvering Exercise (MANEX), Photo Exercise, Communication Drills, and Boarding Exercise (BOARDEX).
Prior to the opening ceremony, Courtesy Calls were held from the Commanding Officer of HMAS LAUNCESTON to RBN Fleet Commander.
During the courtesy call, both sides discussed about the importance of Exercise Penguin and how this biannual bilateral exercise can contribute to the enhancement of relationship between RBN and RAN; being an important and vital avenue to create favorable conditions for practical cooperation to bloom and to flourish in facing common security challenges. Exercise Penguin aims to help prepare both naval forces further, nurturing their networks and partnerships, standing ready to sustain and maintain their effort together in the near future.
The courtesy call concluded with the exchanging mementos as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.
RBN and RAN share common values as well as traditions and looking forward to continue strengthening mutual bonds and professional relationship through the conduct of Exercise PENGUIN series of exercises.
