EXERCISE BELVEDERE ELW FORCE DEVLOPMENT ACTIVTIY

Sqn Ldr Karl Wright

On Tuesday 18 April personnel from across Engineering and Logistics Wing (20 representatives from Engineering Support Squadron, Logistics Support, Puma Depth Servicing Hub, Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) and Engineering & Logistics Wing Headquarters) participated in Exercise BELVEDERE; a Force Development visit to Chatham Historic Docks, home to HMS Cavalier (the ship preserved as a memorial to the 142 Royal Navy Destroyers sunk during WW2). The aim of this Force Development visit was to gain a better understanding of the Brunei Revolt in 1962-63, study the lessons from this conflict and compare them with RAF Benson’s experience supporting 1563 Flt in Brunei today.

Why on earth did we travel the full length of the M25 to a former Naval Dockyard in Kent to learn about a ColdWar era confrontation in Southeast Asia you may ask?

It just so happened that HMS Cavalier and the Ship’s company played a crucial role in the Brunei Revolt. As such, visiting HMS Cavalier (a veteran of the Brunei campaign) and subsequently learning of the role of the Naval Dockyard during the Cold-War was very apt.

With the aim of overthrowing the Sultan of Brunei and bringing the state under Indonesian influence, President Sukarno covertly trained and supported the North Kalimantan National Army (TNKU - Bruneian far-left group). In December 1962 rebels from the TKNU attempted to capture the Sultan of Brunei. The Sultan appealed to

Britain for help and protection. In fear of growing Communist influence in Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom Government responded swiftly. HMS Cavalier was ordered to proceed at high speed to Singapore. Upon arrival, troops of the Queen’s Own Highlanders, vehicles and stores embarked and sailed at full speed to help defend the Sultan and his Kingdom. On arrival off Brunei, she acted as communications HQ Ship and many members of the ship’s company guarded 400 rebels taken prisoner. British Forces would remain in Borneo throughout the

1960s in open confrontation with Indonesian Forces. Fast forward to today, British Forces are still in Brunei. The Garrison in Seria is home to 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles and (as we know) 1563 Flt provides aviation support of the Garrison and the Jungle Warfare Division. During the FD day, participants from ELW had the opportunity to tour not just HMS Cavalier, but also HMS Gannet (a Victorian Sloop that played a role protecting trade routes across the Empire) and HMS Ocelot (a diesel electric submarine launched in 1962 and the last warship built at Chatham). Touring HMS Ocelot, the group developed a solid respect for Royal Navy Submariners who had to endure very cramped and claustrophobic conditions when on patrol. The constant smell of diesel fumes combined with fellow crew not showering or bathing for up to 3 months whilst on patrol; the consensus was a robust ‘no thank-you, the Submarine service would not be for me!’. This aspect of the visit did indeed provide an appreciation for multi-domain operations.

In conclusion, members of ELW thoroughly enjoyed the visit and took a lot away from it. Learning not just about Joint operations in Brunei (which was the focus) but about how engineering and logistics functions were applied to project Maritime Power across the globe from the Second World War, Cold War periods (and before). Credit for a successful visit indeed needs to go to Flt Lt Anna Peters who went out of her way to organise this event.