MUARA, Tuesday 05 November 2019 – The 38th series of Exercise PELICAN, on its 40th anniversary since its inception, was officially opened today, together with the activation of Task Group (TG) 40.1, by Yang Mulia First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Othman bin Haji Suhaili @ Suhaily, Commander Royal Brunei Navy (CN RBN) at the Nakhoda Hall, Naval Training Centre, Muara Naval Base.
In attendance during the Opening Ceremony were Rear Admiral Lew Chuen Hong, Chief of Navy (CNV), Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN); Captain Pengiran Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Damit, Deputy Commander RBN; Rear Admiral Aaron Beng Yao Cheng, Fleet Commander (FC) RSN; Captain Norshahrinizam bin Haji Talib, FC RBN; senior officers from the RSN and RBN; participating ships’ Commanding Officers; as well as officers and personnel from both navies.
The ceremony began with the delivery of an opening speech by CNV RSN, who proceeded to officially unveil the Exercise PELICAN 38/19 Logo. CN RBN then delivered a brief remark before officially opening the 38th series of Exercise PELICAN 38/19 and activating TG 40.1 which comprises of RBN and RSN ships, supported by RSN’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ScanEagle and Super Puma helicopter, as well as the Royal Brunei Air Force’s (RBAirF) S70i Blackhawk helicopter. Both CN RBN, and CNV RSN, reiterated the significance of professional as well as personal ties between the two navies. After the activation of the exercise, both CN RBN and CNV RSN presented the Exercise PELICAN badges to both Fleet Commanders and all participating ship Commanding Officers.
The Opening Ceremony concluded with a recitation of prayer by Warrant Officer 2 Aliuddin bin Haji Sarbini, RBN, and a commemorative tree-planting ceremony at the RBN Officers’ Mess. This year’s special 40th anniversary edition of Exercise PELICAN will involve approximately 420 personnel from both navies, the largest participation yet of this bilateral exercise since its founding in 1979.
