The fitness level of personnel in the Royal Brunei Air Force has come under the scrutiny of their Commander, Colonel (U) Haji Jofri bin Haji Abdullah, during his speech at the Royal Brunei Air Force’s 44th anniversary celebration yesterday.
Colonel (U) Haji Jofri said the number of personnel in Royal Brunei Air Force categorised as ‘Medical Board’ is on the rise from year to year. This trend is worrying and gives a negative implication to the unit’s operations and preparations, he said.
He said, “The number of Royal Brunei Air Force personnel who have failed the basic fitness test of BFT 1 and 2 is showing an unhealthy trend.”
Highlighting the two main factors for the lack of fitness, he said, “First, individuals have neglected their own health and are not committed to improving their level of fitness by undergoing training. Second, the heads of departments should also monitor the level of fitness and give support as well as motivation to continue carrying out systematic training.”
This year, the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces has ordered 100 per cent passes in all basis fitness tests, he said.
The order must be obeyed and the heads of departments have the responsibility to make sure that the objective is achieved by identifying personnel who have failed the fitness test so that they can undergo intensive training to pass the basis fitness test, he said.
The anniversary celebration started at the Royal Brunei Air Force Headquarters with a parade by personnel followed by a salute and an inspection of the guard of honour by the Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force.
The next event was the presentation of the ‘Outstanding Wing Award’ and ‘Outstanding Personnel Award’ held at Dewan Punai. The awards were given in recognition of personnel who have shown exemplary work throughout 2009.
The Royal Brunei Air Force started in 1965 when a contract was signed with Worldwide Helicopters Company to provide medical services to the local population in rural areas. This marked the beginning of aviation in RBAF and since then the role of the Royal Brunei Air Force has developed, especially in personnel and assets.
Other events held during the anniversary were a ‘Tahlil’ for the late parents of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at the Royal Mausoleum, a ‘Doa Kesyukuran’ and ‘Khatam al-Quran’ held last night at the Berakas Garrison Surau as well as a religious talk entitled ‘Taat Membawa Berkat’.
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