BRUNEI MUARA, 10 April 2016 – Admiral Scott H. Swift, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet made a two-day goodwill visit to Brunei Darussalam from the 10 – 11 April 2016.
The Admiral was officially received at the Air Movement Centre (AMC), Royal Brunei AirForce (RBAirForce) base by First Admiral Pg Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pg Haji Muhammad, the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), His Excellency Craig Allen, United States Ambassador to Brunei, Senior officers and spouses.
During the visit, the Admiral made two separate courtesy calls to Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Deputy Ministry of Defence (DMOD). Furthermore, the Admiral and spouse had the privilege to attend the audience to His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of RBAF.
The Admiral exchanged his views and opinions during the discussions at the Courtesy Call and Audience. Parts of his discussions included training and exercises; both bilateral and multilateral exercises involving the two navies. It included regional issues and their commitment to strengthening the existing bilateral defence relation through Exercise CARAT, exchange of visits, joint training and promoting dialogue between defence and military officials. This underlines the close and long-standing defence between the RBN and Indonesian Navy.
The Commander of RBN thanked the United States for their continued support in the upcoming ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism Exercise that is scheduled to be held in Bandar Seri Begawan and Singapore early next month. The exercise is co-hosted by Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand.
Additionally, the Commander of RBN hosted the official dinner at Nur Wanita, Serasa giving the Admiral the chance to indulge in a popular Northern Thai Cuisine. He also gave a speech that underlined the close relationship built on strong defence ties and hopes that it continues to enhance in the near future.
