Built on a long and storied bilateral relationship, 1st Commando Regiment was invited to participate in a multinational parachute activity to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Special Forces Regiment, in Brunei.
This engagement allowed soldiers and officers from 2 Company, 1st Commando Regiment, and Special Operations Command to participate alongside international partners, including jumping from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' newest addition to their Air Force fleet, the C295MW fixed-wing aircraft.
Commanding Officer 1st Commando Regiment Lieutenant Colonel M said 2 Company had a unique partnership with their Bruneian counterparts, with next year marking the 30th anniversary of the defence relationship between Australia and Brunei - Special Operations Command's longest enduring international engagement.
"While the origins of the relationship with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces extend further into the past, the first of the Leopard series of exercises began in 1995," Lieutenant Colonel M said.
"Dawn Leopard and Dusk Leopard are a series of exercises held in Australia and Brunei that are designed to enhance interoperability, build a broad range of skills, and promote knowledge sharing between our respective Special Forces units."
Lieutenant Colonel M said the bilateral relationship exposed both militaries to different training environments.
"In Australia, the training focuses on counter-terrorism skills, including close-quarter battle and urban operations, but when we are on exercise in Brunei our people enhance their martial skills in the jungle environment," Lieutenant Colonel M said.
"The invitation for 2 Company, 1st Commando Regiment, to participate in a multinational activity is a testament to the trusted and valued relationship between Australia and Brunei, with a shared commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous region."
2 Company, based in Melbourne, is a hybrid full-time/part-time company with members from all three services.
Special Operations Command has re-invigorated and allocated the Special Warfare Capability to 1st Commando Regiment in response to a rapidly changing strategic and operational environment.
While 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Leopard series of exercises between Brunei and Australia, it also marks 80 years since Operation Semut in Borneo, including Brunei.
Next year also commemorates 70 years of 1 and 2 Commando Companies.
