British Forces Brunei

Did You Know?

• British Forces Brunei is one of only six British military bases East of Suez, alongside Diego Garcia, HMS Juffair, UKJLSB, Sembawang Base in Singapore, and the Omani-British Joint Training Area.
• On 1 August 2021, No. 7 Flight AAC was re-designated as No. 667 Squadron AAC.

History

British Forces Brunei, or BFB, is the name for the UK military presence in Brunei. The garrison was established in December 1962 when British troops moved from Singapore to help put down the Brunei revolt against Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. British forces later took part in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. Since Brunei became independent in 1984, troops have stayed at the Sultan’s request under a renewable five-year agreement. These forces can assist the Sultan or deploy overseas with other British units, and the Sultan helps fund the presence. The garrison is based at Medicina Lines and Tuker Lines near Seria in the Belait District. It centres on a light infantry battalion, one of the two battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, which rotates every three years. This battalion serves as the British Army’s acclimatised Far East reserve and has deployed to Afghanistan and East Timor. Brunei also hosts the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School, which runs the Jungle Warfare Advisor’s Course. Key locations include Sittang Camp near Tutong, Medicina Lines housing the Jungle Warfare Division and 230 Squadron RAF, and Tuker Lines for garrison headquarters and the Gurkha battalion. Stationed units include 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles, No. 667 Squadron AAC with Jupiter HC.2 helicopters, and the Jungle Warfare Division. BFBS broadcasts to the garrison, and Hornbill School provides primary education for service children.

Structure

British Forces Brunei is located at Medicina Lines and Tuker Lines, near the oil town of Seria in Belait District, and is centred on a light infantry battalion, which will be one of the two battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles. The battalion stationed in Brunei operates as the British Army's acclimatised Far East reserve, and is available for overseas deployment to the Far East and beyond; the Brunei-based battalion has been deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick on several occasions, as well as to East Timor. In addition, Brunei serves as one of the British Army's major training areas, specialising in jungle warfare, with the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School (also known as Training Team Brunei or Jungle Warfare Division (JWD)) running the Jungle Warfare Advisor's Course. The three locations that make up Brunei Garrison are Sittang Camp, which is located in the middle of the nation just outside of Tutong, Medicina Lines, which is home to the Jungle Warfare Division and 230 Sqn RAF. The Garrison Headquarters and the resident Gurkha Battalion are housed in Tuker Lines, which is also home to the Garrison Support Services.