Today, His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei presented his son, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen, with his Parachute Wings after he successfully passed the Basic Parachute Course (BPC).
His Majesty Hassanal Bolkiah was hosted by Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice Marshal Suraya Marshall, the Station Commander, Group Captain Claire O’Grady and Commander Air Wing, Group Captain Gareth Burdett. As part of the visit, he was given a tour of Parachute Training Squadron hangar where the ground training is carried out.
The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team jumped from a Puma helicopter and performed their incredible signature red, white and blue display for the royal visitors and Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice Marshal Suraya Marshall.
Over the last two weeks, HRH Prince Abdul Mateen joined other trainees on BPC 1317 and completed the initial training to begin their parachuting career. BPC 1317 commenced with 64 candidates, from across the three Services. The first phase is 4-days of intense ground training, which teaches all about the British Low-Level Parachute (LLP), how to safely conduct a parachute landing, the drills on board the aircraft, the drills to conduct while under canopy, malfunction recognition and emergency procedures. This is followed by the practical element and carrying out four descents from 1000ft.
Not everyone is successful in passing the BPC, but for those that do, the presentation of their Parachute Wings is the completion of a long and arduous road that requires physical, mental and emotional resilience.
Officer Commanding Airborne Delivery Wing, Wing Commander Richard Lewis said:
“It was a privilege to welcome HRH Prince (Major) Mateen to Airborne Delivery Wing to participate in Basic Parachute Course 1317, and I was delighted to hear his enthusiastic feedback on the excellent standards of instruction and support delivered by the team in Parachute Training Squadron.
“We were honoured to host HM The Sultan of Brunei as Reviewing Officer for the presentation of British Parachutist Wings to draw a successful conclusion to this engagement.”
Wing Commander Richard Lewis
Officer Commanding Airborne Delivery Wing
Visit the Royal Air Force website
Visit the Royal Air Force Recruitment website to Find Your Role.
