CELEBRATING 55 YEARS of RBAF

Every 31st May marks the anniversary of Royal Brunei Arm Forces. This year they are celebrating it 55 year of defense and nation building. Like the years before SOAS College Air Scout Troop takes this opportunity to visit aircraft and talk to pilots and RBAF personnel. In the past a few troop members have become pilots and aircraft technicians. 

Young air scouts should be talking about actually being an aircraft, learning why it is shaped like that, learning controls and asking about instrumentation. Because the country needs young generation to replace the existing pilots and engineers.

Another fun stuff is to see actual helicopter landings and how they maneuver in the air

A great surprise was meeting with two legends of the Air Force. Col. (R) Hamid Nayan and Col. (R) Rashid.  They were the ones who actually flew the Bell Jet Ranger Helicopter (seen behind) since 1976. It was used as a trainer aircraft and still in use today. Col. (R) Hamid was also one of the first Sikorsky Blackhawk pilots and both became Deputy Commanders of the Air Force before retirement.

It was truly a great honor to meet such legends who paved the way for our modern Royal Brunei Air Force

BEACH ACTIVTIES - SWIMMING AND LEARNING SAFETY

The beach is great place to learn jungle and water elements. The scouts learn how to make a campfire properly, pitch own tent, making gadgets and have fun. Most members now can survive buy making their own rice and canned foods. They can also make boiling water that can be rationed for longer stay in the jungle. 

Best of all its the swimming. Identifying danger areas and rip curls. The use of life jacket and life savers. They also learn to do knots on water which was new to most. This month is all about outdoors before next month will be filled with indoor and religious activities.

VISIT TO KAMPUNG AYER MUSEUM AND THE HEAD VILLAGER

Its starts with an exciting boat ride on the Brunei River. Its fast and only took us a few minutes across. Its also cheap! 50 cents per person. The museum is open on Sundays and open to public. Anyone can come. No pictures were allowed inside so we do not have any pictorial record. 

Anyway the visit was about knowing How Brunei was made back in the early centuries. Alot was done on the Brunei River actually. The first settlements, the government, the trading with ancient civilizations and up to the modern day Brunei we see today. Would love to story but its best to visit.

The bonus of the visit is to see the Head Villager. He was about to leave for a wedding but happy to give us 10 minutes to show us around his home stay. Anyway it was great to meet him. Off to the next weekend for more activities.

MEETING OLD FRIENDS, MAKING NEW ONES

Cubborree 2016 was where Skipper Zack meets old friends from Singapore and Malaysia and also making new ones. Here are some pictures

NEW BOYS JOINS FLAG RISING CEREMONY

In conjunction with the 32nd National Day celebrations, the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association (PPNBD) held a national flag hoisting ceremony at its headquarters in Gadong.

Two hundred members including scout commissioners, scout officers, scout leaders, assistant scout leaders, cub scouts, junior scouts, venture scouts, sea scouts, air scouts and rover scouts took part in the patriotic event.

SOAS College Air Scout troop were also present along with fresh new members, to instill patriotism through the scouting spirit.

Present were PPNBD Chief Commissioner Haji Badar bin Haji Ali and Deputy Chief Commissioner of PPNBD Haji Ismail bin Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Setia Dato Setia Haji A Hapidz.

SCOUT WEEK ATTRACTS NEW MEMBERS

January is usually the month for student registrations and settling in to things. February is the month for starting back scout activities. The month begins with AIR SCOUT WEEK where achievements of past years are displayed and showcasing activities. Its also the time for new members sign up. 

Upon the permission of the principal, the troop was given a corner for displays and sign up for a whole week. Even with this small time frame, the patrol leaders who were the key persons for the campaign did a good job of explaining activities and signed up more than 20 keen students. The next phase is to initiate a introductory activity and Scout Association registration procedures.

WELCOME TO 2016

Everyone had load of fun in 2015. It was months of active participation, discovery and fun learning. With the blessings of our new principal, we look forward to 2016, with new activities that will be lead by senior members.