Pacific Angel 23-3 concludes in Brunei

Published Sept. 19, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Shelimar Rivera-Rosado
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

RIMBA AIR FORCE BASE, Brunei (AFNS) --

Pacific Angel 23-3 Brunei wrapped up at Rimba Air Force Base, Sept.15, after four days of multiple search and rescue and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response training operations.

More than 100 Airmen from across the Pacific Air Forces joined forces with the Royal Brunei Air Force to improve their collective ability to respond effectively to humanitarian crises, disaster situations and search and rescue missions, solidifying their commitment to regional security and collaboration.

"Increasing capacity and readiness alongside the Royal Brunei Air Force solidifies our ability to jointly manage a wide range of contingencies," said Lt. Col. Eric Thorstad, Pacific Angel 23-3 commander. "In Pacific Angel, we have a framework to collaborate and extend a legacy of success in humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Photo of a service members silhouette in the back of an aircraft — U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nghiem Vu, 39th Rescue Squadron loadmaster, completes his post air-drop checks from the ramp of an HC130-J Combat King II assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., during exercise Pacific Angel 23-3, Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei, Sept. 14, 2023. Pac-Angel 23-3 is a joint and combined regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief engagement led by Pacific Air Forces at the Rimba AFB in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. This iteration of Pacific Angel is focused on regional search and rescue and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response capacity-building interoperability with partnering nations. (U.S Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Angela Ikeda)

Photo of a water vessel in the ocean — Members of the Royal Brunei Air Force, assigned to the Royal Brunei Air Force 31st Squadron, complete their static line jump from an HC130-J Combat King II assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., during exercise Pacific Angel 23-3, Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei, Sept. 12, 2023. Pac-Angel 23-3 is a joint and combined regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief engagement led by Pacific Air Forces at the Rimba AFB in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Angela Ikeda)

Photo of pararescuemen on an inflatable watercraft — U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, assemble an inflatable boat that was dropped from a HC130-J Combat King II assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., during exercise Pacific Angel 23-3, Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei, Sept. 12, 2023. This iteration of Pac-Angel is focused on regional search and rescue and Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response capacity-building interoperability with partnering nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Angela Ikeda)

This iteration of Pacific Angel is focused on regional search and rescue and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response capacity-building interoperability with partnering nations.

"Our shared commitment to promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region is the foundation of the U.S.-Brunei relationship," said Caryn R. McClelland, U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. "Collaborative exercises such as Pacific Angel 23-3 not only strengthen our humanitarian relief capabilities but also foster meaningful people-to-people ties between our nations."

Photo of a U.S. Air Force officer speaking — U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Thorstad, Pacific Angel 23-3 commander, delivers closing remarks during the Pacific Angel 23-3 closing ceremony at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei, Sept.15, 2023. PA 23-3 a joint and combined regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief engagement led by Pacific Air Forces at the Rimba AFB in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Shelimar Rivera Rosado)

Photo of U.S. Air Force officer speaking — U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Sarah Russ, mobilization assistant to the director of Pacific Air Forces strategy, plans, programs and requirements, delivers closing remarks during the Pacific Angel 23-3 closing ceremony at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei, Sept.15, 2023. Pacific Angel 23-3 a joint and combined regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief engagement led by Pacific Air Forces at the Rimba AFB in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Shelimar Rivera Rosado)

Pacific Angel 23-3 demonstrated PACAF’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and its allies and partners.

"We have witnessed remarkable success in our collective efforts over the past week," Thorstad said. "PACAF is committed to building ongoing collaboration."