BATAM, Indonesia 29th March 2014 – The first ever Multilateral Naval Exercise KOMODO 2014 hosted by Tentara National Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI AL), is being held at Batam Island, Republic Indonesia, involving 17 participating Nations. The event started with the Opening Ceremony at Swiss-belhotel, Batam Island, Republic Indonesia, which was officiated by Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Secutiy Affairs. In attendance to represent the Royal Brunei Navy was First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Commander of Royal Brunei Navy.
Soon after the Opening Ceremony, Exercise KOMODO commenced with Command Post Exercise (CPX) as well as Table Top Exercise (TTX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX) discussions involving participants from the various navies. The contingent from the Royal Brunei Navy is led by 612 Major (L) Willie bin Padan, Commanding Officer of KDB DARULEHSAN.
Exercise KOMODO CPX, TTX and FTX is expected to continue with furthermore issues to be discussed before all naval vessels set for sail to commence the Exercise's Sea Phase on Monday 31st March 2014 until Tuesday 1st April 2014, whereby KDB DARULEHSAN is placed together in a Task Group which includes the United States Navy, Royal Thai Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy as well as the hosting nation's navy.
Exercise KOMODO's Closing Ceremony will be held at Anambas and Natuna Island on Thursday 3rd April 2014. KDB DARULEHSAN is expected to depart Anambas Island later on that day and arrive in Muara Naval Base on Saturday, 5th April 2014.
This year's Exercise will be focused heavily on Humanitarian Aids and Disaster Relief Exercises (HADR) which aims to maintain stability in the ASEAN Region with a theme of 'Cooperation for Stability'. Amongst the KDB DARULEHSAN crew are attachment personnel from the Royal Brunei Land Forces, Combat Engineering Unit from Support Battalion as well as Medical Unit of Directorate Logistic MINDEF, many of which will be mostly occupied with Enginieering Civil and Medical Action Plan (ENCAP and MEDCAP) at Anambas Island.