Aussie Naval Vessel In Brunei For Joint Naval Exercise

Bandar Seri Begawan – Exercise Penguin 2004, the annual naval exercise between the Royal Brunei Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, has reached its 12th series this year.

The Australian Fremantle Class Patrol Boat, the HMAS Dubbo, arrived at the Muara Naval Base early yesterday morning to join their Bruneian counterparts in the bilateral exercise.

The opening ceremony of the exercise was held at the Fleet Headquarters of the Royal Brunei Navy.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Aziz, Fleet Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy, launched the opening rites.

Commander Mark Burling of the Royal Australian Navy and Mrs Melanie Davies, the Deputy High Commissioner of Australia, and other senior officers of both navies attended the ceremony.

The HMAS Dubbo is one of 14 patrol boats of the Royal Australian Navy that principally contribute to Australia's fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations.

HMAS Dubbo's arrival in Brunei Darussalam clearly illustrated the close inter-connectedness of the navies of Brunei and Australia, which is further manifested in the warm and cordial bilateral relations between the two countries.

Despite the fact that this is the 12th such exercise to be held starting on Sunday, this year's exercise did achieve a first when two junior Royal Brunei Navy officers sailed on board the HMAS Dubbo on its passage from Darwin to Brunei. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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