Major Five Power Defence Arrangements Exercise comes to an end in SE Asia

Members from No 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron detachment Butterworth load a C-130J Hercules with equipment bound for Australia at the end of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010. (Photo: Australia DoD)

4 November 2010 -- A milestone exercise in the Bersama series has come to an end in Malaysia and the South China Sea with the official closing ceremony of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010 (BP10) held on 29 October at RMAF Butterworth.

Exercise BP10 was the first in the series to include a land force element comprised of soldiers from Australia and Malaysia, collectively known as the Five Powers Rifle Company (FPRC).

In total, BP10 involved 1100 Australian Defence Force personnel, which Commander of the Australian Contingent Wing Commander Kenneth Robinson said demonstrated the importance Australia placed on the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) and its commitment to security and stability in the region.

“The Australian Defence Force’s contribution to Bersama Padu 10 is a tangible sign of our enduring commitment to the FPDA,” he said.

“The maritime component of Australia’s contribution to the exercise was the largest in several years, and we were especially pleased with the exercise activity and the value derived by our task group.”

Wing Commander Robinson made special mention of the introduction and integration of the land component into the Field Training Exercise.

“The Commanding Officer of HMAS Tobruk, Commander Paul Scott, has conveyed to me a particular sense of pride and achievement in terms of that ship’s contribution to the effective and safe amphibious lodgement of a composite rifle company,” he said.




An F/A-18 Hornet from No 3 Squadron powers off the runway at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth on its way back to Australia at the end of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010. (Photo: Australia DoD)

The FPDA was established in 1971 and continues to be an integral part of the regional security architecture because of its ability to remain relevant to the needs of its members by adapting to the changing security environment.

Exercise BP10 was conducted from 11-29 October, and involved four RAN ships, Clearance Diving Team 1, eight F/A 18s from No3 Squadron, and Rifle Company Butterworth.

Australia DoD