Muara Naval Base (MNB), Thursday, 09th November 2023
– After an intense five days of discussions, planning and the subsequent execution, Exercise PELICAN 41/2023 concluded with a resounding success yesterday, 09 November 2023, with the departure of the RSN ships.
Exercise PELICAN 41/2023 is an annual bilateral exercise between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) to strengthen ties and improve interoperability between the two navies. This year’s exercise was hosted by the RBN in Brunei Darussalam and lasted from 4th until 9th November 2023.
Exercise PELICAN 41/2023 is divided into three phases. The first phase is the Shore Phase, which began with the arrival of RSS TENACIOUS (TNC) and MSRV SENTINEL (SEN) on Saturday, 04 November 2023. Participating ships from the RBN include KDB DARUSSALAM (DSM), KDB AS-SIDDIQ (SID) and KDB SYAFAAT (SYA). In the afternoon, operations planning, safety and communication discussions were conducted. All participating ships’ officers planned for the sea phase serials, which were presented on Monday morning during the pre-sail brief. The RSN delegation was headed by Colonel Kwan Hon Chuong, Fleet Commander, RSN. The delegation made a Courtesy Call to RBN’s Fleet Commander, followed by a subsequent Courtesy Call to RBN’s Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy.
The Opening Ceremony for Exercise PELICAN 41/2023 and the activation of Task Group 41.1 was officiated by Colonel Kwan Hon Chuong as the Guest of Honour. As tradition goes, all participating ships’ Commanding Officers, officers, and personnel then enjoyed a curry lunch at the Mess Dining Hall, the RBN Officers’ mess, which the RBN Fleet Commander hosted. In the afternoon, three concurrent serials took place – Professional Sharing, Midshipmen Interaction and Ships’ Visits.
RSS TENACIOUS graciously hosted a Cocktail Reception on Monday night, and invitees included heads of departments from both navies, midshipmen from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces intake 22, and officers and crew of participating ships.
The following day saw the execution of the second phase, the Sea Phase. Highlights of this year’s sea phase serials were the Officer of the Watch Maneuvers (OOW MANEX) – where the Royal Brunei Air Force’s S70i helicopter also took part, Night Encounter Exercise (NEX) between Blue and Orange Forces and Surface Target Firing Exercise (SUTFX). During NEX, both forces adopted their own strategies to achieve their own mission – BLUE Force (comprising of DSM, SID and SEN) was to penetrate ORANGE Force’s (TNC and SYA) defence, whilst ORANGE Force’s (TNC and SYA) mission was to ensure no BLUE assets remain or the protection of their objective until the serial ended. This wargaming serial benefitted all junior officers and personnel involved as it exposed them to conventional war tactics and the process of obtaining a Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP). The winners of NEX were COMBLUE, who managed to penetrate the enemy’s defence towards the end of the serial.
The Sea Phase serials were executed safely and successfully, demonstrating the high level of understanding and interoperability between the two navies. All participating ships returned to Muara Naval Base on Wednesday, 08 November 2023.
Upon returning from sea, the Exercise PELICAN 41/2023 transitioned into the Post-Exercise Phase. All ships’ key appointment holders discussed the lessons learned during the sea phase, what went well and how the serials could be executed better. This session was held onboard KDB DARUSSALAM. At the same time, the long-awaited PELICAN CUP was conducted at the RBN Gymnasium – both navies competed in canoe tug, Volleyball and Futsal. The first game was Canoe Tug, which was won by RBN with a score of six (06) to four (04). Next was Volleyball, and although RSN took the first set, the RBN won the later sets to win the Volleyball game. As for Futsal, RSN took the lead with the opening goal, but RBN returned and won the Futsal game with three (03) goals to two (02). Overall, the RBN won the PELICAN CUP this year, returning it from the RSN, who won last year in Singapore. These interactions, through the conduct of sports, are an excellent avenue to strengthen new and old relationships forged in this exercise between both navies.
The Closing Ceremony of Exercise PELICAN 41/2023 and the deactivation of TG 41.1 by Captain Sahibul Bahari bin Haji Zainal Abidin, Fleet Commander of the RBN, was held at the Nakhoda Hall, Naval Training Centre. In his closing remarks, the RBN Fleet Commander acknowledged the attainment of key objectives identified prior to the activation of the exercise, which were Enhanced Cooperation, Skill Development and Strengthened Bonds.
Both RSS TENACIOUS and MSRV SENTINEL departed from MNB yesterday afternoon. The Fleet Chief of Staff, participating ship officers and sailors were present to witness their departure.