MUARA, Tuesday 25 Mac 2014 – KDB DARULEHSAN naval ship has set sail to Batam, Indonesia today to take part in the 2014 Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo which will be hosted by Indonesian National Armed Forces - Navy (TNI AL).
The exercise will start from 28 March 2014 until 3 April 2014 and the deployment is led by Major (L) Willie bin Padan as the Commanding Officer of KDB DARUEHSAN with a total crew of 75 personnel including attachment personnel.
During the 'ship send-off' ceremony, the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd. Tamit, the Fleet Commander, Lt Col (L) Haji Yusuf bin Masron, RBN officers and personnel as well as family members of the deployed personnel attended to bit farewell.
To bless the journey, a Doa Selamat was recited by Staff Sergeant Haji Zulamin Shah bin Haji Zainal followed by the Azan on the forecastle of KDB DARULEHSAN by Corporal Muhd Shahrin bin Haji Sarpuddin.
KDB DARULEHSAN will join 16 other countries involving 28 warships participating in the exercise which starts in Batam and includes other areas; Anambas and Natuna islands of Indonesia. The exercise will focus on naval cooperation capabilities in disaster relief operations. Some of the evolution of exercises includes Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), Man Overboard Exercise (MOBEX), Oil Spill Exercise and Cross Deck Landing Exercise.
Other than promoting defence diplomacy between participated countries, such multilateral exercise will also give opportunities for the involved personnel to gain experience, knowledge and skills.
KDB DARULEHSAN is expecting to make their journey home on 3 April 2014 and arrive in Brunei Darussalam on 5 April 2014.