BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE COMMANDER of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) Admiral Samuel J Locklear III is here for the Asia-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference (CHOD) to open tomorrow.

Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih Abdullah, in a previous article, said that Brunei would co-host CHOD together with the US Pacific Command.

He said CHOD would bring together prominent military officials from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss mutual security challenges and foster security cooperation.

CHOD was initiated in 1998 to serve as a platform for nurturing trust among countries in the region and enhance security ties through exchange of opinions on regional security and bilateral dialogues.

The plane carrying USPACOM Commander and spouse Pamela, in safely landed at the Rimba Air Force Base yesterday.

RBAF Commander Pehin Dato Mohd Tawih then received a courtesy call from Admiral Locklear III and his wife at the Air Movement Centre.

Also present were Royal Brunei Land Force Commander Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Yussof Hj Abd Rahman and Royal Brunei Air Force Commander Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Wardi Abd Latip.

The Admiral then signed a parchment commemorating the courtesy call which underscored the strong and friendly defence relations between Brunei and the US.

Admiral Locklear III, a 1977 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, a 1992 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces is also a holder of a master’s degree in Public Administration from George Washington University.

The Sultanate and the US signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation on November 29, 1994.

The Brunei Times