His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam graced the Introduction to Service ceremony for two of the four newly acquired C295MW aircraft for the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) at Rimba Air Force Base yesterday.
The ceremony was from the recent proceedings following His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, after gracing the Aircraft Arrival ceremony at the Rimba Air Force Base on January 24.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness 920 Major (U) Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof; Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan; and Commander of the RBAirF Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim.
His Majesty was escorted to the Military Apron of Hangar ‘B’ where His Majesty received the royal salute and inspected the guard of honour, comprising 103 RBAirF personnel and the RBAF Band, led by Parade Commander Major (U) Muhammad Izdihar bin Haji Imran.
His Majesty delivered a titah, followed by the recitation of Selawat and Doa Selamat led by Director of the Religious Department RBAF (JAMA’AT) Commander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim, Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).
The event continued with His Majesty signing a plaque to mark the inauguration.
His Majesty viewed the two C295MW aircraft, designated as ‘TUDB 502’ and ‘TUDB 503’, and was introduced to members of the aircraft procurement project team, including RBAirF pilots, aircrew and engineers. His Majesty was presented with a pesambah before proceeding to the Air Movement Centre. At the Air Movement Centre, His Majesty received a flight and safety briefing from Officer Commanding 15 Squadron Major (U) Mohammad Adieb bin Abdul Rahman, before boarding and piloted the C295MW TUDB 502 aircraft. Upon landing, His Majesty proceeded for the royal luncheon at the Air Movement Centre. His Majesty was then invited to sign the royal parchment before leaving the Rimba Air Force Base. Yesterday’s Introduction to Service ceremony was held to officiate the C295MW Transport Aircraft Capability into service for the RBAirF following its arrival on January 24.
Its pilots and aircrew will begin training in the Southeast Asian region in preparation for strategic and tactical transport missions at the regional and international levels including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, medical evacuations, aeromedical evacuations and search and rescue operations. The aircraft are capable of fulfilling various roles including troop and cargo transport, VIP transport, freefall, airborne static jumps and cargo drop.
The permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence (MinDef), service commander, acting service commander, acting joint force commander (JFC) RBAF, deputy permanent secretary at the MinDef, senior officers of the RBAF, and a delegation from Airbus Defence and Space led by Head of Sales Air Power Oscar Alonso were also present. – Adib Noor
