BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Tuesday 11 June 2013 – Participating nations continue to arrive in the country today and throughout the week via land, sea, and air. Latest arrivals list included participating countries like India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand, Russian Federation and the United States.
Incoming assets from Japan included the arrival of two C-130 transport aircrafts comprising 28 crews and 6 passengers. On board the transport aircrafts were two vehicles carrying medical equipment and UH-1 aircraft equipment. Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) SHIRANE has also docked at the Muara Commercial Port, bringing with it Japan’s UH-1 ‘Huey’ helicopter.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s assets have also arrived in Brunei Darussalam. By sea was the KD Mahawangsa ship which carries crews, heavy equipment, heavy machineries, and vehicles, and via air was Malaysia’s S-61 Nuri helicopter which carries 15-aircrew. Malaysia also deployed their vehicle convoy via land through Sungai Tujoh and Puni immigration posts.
In addition to Singapore’s assets such as the naval ship RSS ENDURANCE, four Super Puma helicopters have also arrived at the Rimba airbase.
Entourage from India has also arrived in the country using its naval asset the INS GHARIYAL, docked at the Muara Commercial Port. The ship was transporting 20 medical personnel, the Sea King helicopter with 16 Air Force personnel, three vehicles, ambulance, jeep and 2.5 ton truck.
Later in the evening, delegations from Kingdom of Thailand and Russian Federation have also arrived in the country via commercial flights.
In the midst of participants’ arrivals, an ice-breaking session was also held today at the newly built Multi-National Coordination Centre (MNCC) in Muara. This was the first time for representatives from participating countries to gather at the MNCC since their arrivals. Meanwhile, the Force Integration Training (FIT) has also been ongoing that saw the involvement of participating nations which is to prepare exercise participants adequately for the exercise proper that is schedule for 17 – 20 June 2013. Tomorrow, the medical FIT symposium is schedule to take place in Berakas Garrison as well as the helicopter drill Search and Rescue (SAR) and familiarization at Rimba Airbase.