Kundasang, Nov 17, 23 – Squadron No. 5 from Labuan Air Base (PU Labuan) successfully conducted a High Altitude Operation Exercise using the EC 725 AP aircraft at Mount Kinabalu for two days from Nov 16 to Nov 17, 23. The exercise was coordinated jointly with the Ranau District Council and the Sabah Parks Trust.

The objective of the exercise was to enhance the proficiency and competence of the ship’s offspring and Combat Air Rescue members in conducting search and rescue operations in high-altitude areas, ensuring that SAR and HADR assignments could be carried out according to established safety procedures. Additionally, the exercise aimed to test the use of the Portable Oxygen Tank from Squadron No. 1 during flights exceeding 10,000 feet to prevent hypoxia among the ship’s offspring during flight.

The exercise was led by Officer Commanding No. 5 Squadron, Lt Col Ahmad Tarmizi bin Sokri TUDM, along with 6 Aircraft Commanders, 4 Assistant Pilots, 8 Air Quartermasters, 4 Aviation Technicians, 4 Combat Air Rescue members, and 2 medical personnel from 818 RSAT, PU Labuan. Flights were initially conducted to Kundasang, serving as a Forward Operating Base before proceeding to LP Paka and LP Panalaban.

In this exercise, the proficiency of the crew and the capabilities of the EC 725 AP aircraft were successfully tested and proven as they executed landings at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet, overcoming challenging weather conditions at Mount Kinabalu. According to the Officer Commanding No. 5 Squadron, “The High Altitude Operation Exercise at Mount Kinabalu will be held biennially, aiming to ensure that officers and members of No. 5 Squadron remain at a high level of readiness and proficiency, making them better prepared for future operations.”

ANAK KAPAL NO. 5 SKN BERJAYA LAKSANAKAN LATIHAN PENERBANGAN HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATION MENGGUNAKAN PESAWAT EC 725 AP DI GUNUNG KINABALU

Kundasang, 17 Nov 23 – No. 5 Skuadron dari Pangkalan Udara Labuan (PU Labuan) telah berjaya melaksanakan Latihan High Altitude Operation menggunakan pesawat EC 725 AP di Gunung Kinabalu selama dua(2) hari bermula dari 16 hingga 17 Nov 23. Latihan ini telah dikoordinasikan secara bersama dengan Majlis Daerah Ranau dan Lembaga Pemegang Amanah Taman-Taman Sabah.

Objektif latihan adalah untuk meningkatkan kecekapan serta kompetensi anak kapal dan anggota Combat Air Rescue dalam melaksanakan operasi carilamat di kawasan beraltitud tinggi serta memastikan penugasan SAR dan HADR dapat dilaksanakan mengikut prosedur keselamatan yang telah ditetapkan. Selain itu, latihan ini juga untuk menguji penggunaan Portable Oxygen Tank dari No. 1 Skn semasa melaksanakan penerbangan melebihi 10,000 kaki bagi mengelakkan anak kapal menghadapi hypoxia semasa penerbangan.

Pelaksanaan latihan ini telah diketuai oleh Pegawai Memerintah No 5 Skn, Lt Kol Ahmad Tarmizi bin Sokri TUDM bersama 6 x Komander Pesawat, 4 x Pembantu Juruterbang dan 8 x Kuartermaster Udara serta 4 x anggota juruteknik, 4 x anggota Combat Air Rescue dan 2 x anggota perubatan dari 818 RSAT, PU Labuan. Penerbangan telah dilaksanakan ke Kundasang terlebih dahulu yang berfungsi sebagai Forward Operating Base sebelum diteruskan ke LP Paka dan LP Panalaban.

Dalam latihan ini, kecekapan anak-anak kapal serta keupayaan pesawat EC 725 AP telah berjaya diuji dan terbukti kemampuannya apabila telah berjaya melaksanakan pendaratan di ketinggian melebihi 10,000 kaki walaupun berdepan dengan keadaan cuaca di Gunung Kinabalu yang agak mencabar dan mengehadkan aktiviti penerbangan. Menurut Pegawai Memerintah No 5 Skn, “Latihan High Altitude Operation di Gunung Kinabalu akan dijadikan sebagai latihan dwi tahunan dan ianya bertujuan untuk memastikan pegawai dan anggota No. 5 Skuadron sentiasa berada pada tahap kesiagaan dan kecekapan yang tinggi, menjadikan mereka lebih bersedia untuk melaksanakan operasi di masa hadapan”.