The culmination event of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, RBAF, 61st Anniversary Celebration, was highlighted with a Grand Parade of more than one thousand personnel of RBAF at the Royal Brunei Navy Parade Ground. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, graced the ceremony. Also in attendance were His Majesty’s sons, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malek and His Royal Highness 920 Major Udara Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohammad Yussof, Second Minister of Defence and Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the RBAF.
Shortly after arriving, His Majesty received the Royal Salute.
The Monarch then inspected the Grand Parade comprising one thousand and Forty Nine personnel from the Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force, Special Forces Regiment, Women Military Personnel and RBAF Band under the command of Commander Azrin bin Haji Mahmud, Royal Brunei Navy.
The slow and fast march past by the parade forces carrying His Majesty’s Crest and the RBAF Crest followed the celebration. This year’s celebration carries the theme “Bersama Menjayakan Wawasan Negara”, which is in line with the National Day’s theme and coincides with RBAF’s duties and responsibilities as an increasingly ‘Mutli-Functional’ national security and peace institution.
RBAF continues to focus on the ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Nation’ approaches in order to jointly ensure that the stability, peace and prosperity of the country will last.
The cheers of ‘Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik’ echoed in the air symbolizing the spirit of all RBAF personnel.
Doa selamat was read by Commander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim, Acting Director of the RBAF Religious Directorate.
His Majesty received the Royal Salute, followed by a fly-past of the Royal Brunei Air Force aircrafts and sail-past of the Royal Brunei Navy ships namely KDB Darulehsan, KDB Afiat and KDB Serasa.
In its 61 years, the RBAF will continue to prepare themselves in all aspects of defence, especially in enhancing defence diplomatic relations.
Source: Radio Television Brunei