Royal Brunei, U.S. Air Forces strengthen cooperation at Pacific Angel
U.S. Pacific Air Forces
Bruneian and United States Airmen conducted exercise Pacific Angel at Brunei’s Rimba Air Force Base in August and September 2026 to prepare for search and rescue and disaster response missions.
“We hope to enhance our operational capacity and operational readiness in search and rescue operations, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations through this exercise,” said Royal Brunei Air Force Maj. Izdihar Imran, 11 Squadron commander and the exercise’s deputy codirector.
The five-day exercise brought together five Royal Brunei Air Force squadrons and Royal Brunei Land Forces medical services alongside U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel.
Participating aircraft included Bruneian S-70i Black Hawk helicopters and C-295MW transport aircraft, and a U.S. HC-130J from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The Black Hawks rehearsed search and rescue operations with U.S. personnel from the 48th Rescue Squadron.
Bruneian-led training sessions included aircraft familiarization and perspectives from civil aviation and civilian search and rescue personnel, while U.S. aeromedical personnel conducted aircraft configuration and patient loading procedures. The training connected military procedures with the roles of emergency responders.
“The Royal Brunei Air Force brings valuable experience operating in maritime and jungle environments,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jamal Miqbel, 79th Rescue Squadron HC-130J loadmaster. “Learning how they operate gives us experience we don’t typically get at home.”
Medical instruction focused on skills including triage and patient evacuation.
“Our medical teams are here to collaborate and learn alongside our partners in the Royal Brunei Air Force on responding to mass casualty events and preparing patients for evacuation,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Madison Chilton, the exercise’s lead medical planner. “Practicing together expands our ability to collaborate during times of peace and respond effectively in the instance of a real-world emergency.”
During a simulated mass casualty scenario and aeromedical evacuation, personnel transferred patients from Bruneian aircraft to the HC-130J, allowing teams to coordinate procedures when personnel and equipment from different nations are involved.
Search and rescue training included personnel and equipment airdrops over land and water, complementing the medical exchanges.
“We’re looking forward to working with the U.S. Air Force and hopefully continue this partnership for many more years to come,” Imran said.
