His Majesty visits the Gurkha Battalion in Seria

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah the Sultan of Brunei, flew a British army helicopter and tried his hand at firing a gun when he made a farewell visit to the British Gurkhas Monday.

The aim of His Majesty’s visit was to say well done and thanks to the departing First Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles in oil town Seria.

His Majesty's arrival at the Brunei Garrison sports complex was welcomed by the Battalion Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Craig Lawrence, the British High Commissioner Mr Andrew Caie, and the Beliat District Officer Awang Haji Adanan Haji han Afiah.

His Majesty then proceeded to the Tuker Lines to inspect a guard of honour, mounted by 60 men of the battalion.

The First Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles was formed in Hong Kong on July 1 1994. In 1999, the battalion was deployed as part of five airborne brigades to Kosovo on operation "Agricola". The battalion moved to Brunei in August 2000 where they are based at Tuker Lines.

His Majesty also presented Commissions to four Warrant Officers promoted to Second Lieutenants. Three of the newly commissioned officers first served with the Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1985, and the other officer joined a year later.

The Resident Battalion, supported by Garrison Troops, is to be the acclimatised operational reserve in the Far East, ready for re-employment in order to support United Kingdom's wider interests, and in accordance to bilateral arrangements.

His Majesty then met and mingled with the newly Commissioned Officers. Also present were the officers' spouses.

His Majesty proceeded to watch demonstrations by the 'C' company of the Gurkha Rifles. Also on display were the latest military equipment introduced by the British Army. The garrison has four main components: The headquarters and support troops, helicopter flight, jungle warfare wing and enhanced light role jungle battalion.

The support assets include seven flight army air corps and a garrison workshop. Garrison support staff number some 14 officers and 120 other ranks. The battalion consists of some 60 officers and 800 other ranks.

The overall strength of the garrison including dependents is around 2,400, including 309 locally employed civilians. The Brunei garrison was established in 1962.

His Majesty also tried his hand on arms firing using a nine mm pistol. His Majesty then mounted an armoured personnel carrier to watch a mobile demonstration. The demo focused on tracking and apprehending enemies using land and air support.  Also being demonstrated was ways on how the military handle and quell public riots.

The current role of the battalion is to train for both high intensity war fighting in a jungle environment and for peace support operations.

In addition, the battalion is trained to conduct non-combatant evacuation operations. His Majesty flew a helicopter to go to the British officers mess, located about eight kilometres from Tuker lines for a luncheon reception.

The first battalion will be moving from Brunei to Folkestone in the United Kingdom in July this year on completion of three fruitful years in the sultanate.