U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces launch Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26

TUTONG CAMP, Brunei — U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Force soldiers opened Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 with a drum-accompanied march at Tutong Camp near Bandar Seri Begawan on Aug. 11, marking the start of nearly two weeks of bilateral training.

Approximately 130 U.S. personnel are taking part in the bi-annual U.S. Army Pacific–Royal Brunei Land Force exercise as part of Operation PATHWAYS. The Oklahoma National Guard is serving as the primary U.S. training force, working alongside Bruneian counterparts to bolster readiness, interoperability and long-term ties.

The opening ceremony brought both formations together before training focused on jungle operations, operations in built-up areas, live-fire coordination and subject-matter expert exchanges. “The ceremony started the transition between us working together, the integration between the U.S. forces and the Royal Brunei Land Forces,” said Maj. Kent Turner, U.S. Army Forces Commander for Exercise Pahlawan Warrior.

The tropical environment offers scenarios difficult to replicate stateside and is particularly valuable for the 1-180th Cavalry’s reconnaissance mission, Turner said. “We can’t simulate an environment like the jungle that we’re going to be training in here,” he said. “For us, as a light reconnaissance unit, to actually go out into the jungle and observe — that’s just fantastic on the tactical level.”

“For us, the training over the next 10 days will be a challenge,” said Col. Michael Scanlon, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Oklahoma Army National Guard. “Most of us are unfamiliar with operating in the jungle, whereas our Royal Brunei Land Force partners are among the world’s most skilled. We have much to learn and are eager to do so.”

Beyond tactics and terrain, participants will work to operate one another’s equipment and refine how they function together. “It will definitely help us in our readiness in the long term and also in the short term,” said Lieutenant Muhammad Syahmi, platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, RBLF. “There will be more confidence in using our equipment, and they’re going to understand us more and we’re going to understand them more.”

Organizers emphasized the blend of capabilities brought by both sides and the value of building personal connections that support effective cooperation. “We’re going to conduct hard training, but more than anything, we want to become friends at the end of the exercise,” Turner said.