5RAR Deploys to Malaysia for Intensive Training

Members of the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), 1st Brigade, along with supporting elements, have deployed to Malaysia for three months as part of Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) rotation 144, under the command of the 2nd/30th training group.

Camp Paradise, typically home to the Malaysian 5th Brigade, has been transformed into a centre of trilateral engagement, hosting personnel from the US Army, Malaysian Army, and, for the first time, the Australian Army. Nestled amidst mountains and the sprawling Malaysian jungle, where rain is a constant and unrelenting presence, this camp provides a unique training environment.

Here, soldiers will strengthen interoperability through rigorous training in the jungles of Borneo and enjoy the local cuisine. RCB personnel will participate in multiple exercises and international engagements, including Exercise Keris Strike.

Major Jamie Frisby, Officer Commanding RCB 144 of 5RAR, expressed the honour of returning to Malaysia for realistic and relevant training with regional friends and partners. “The contingent faces a unique set of challenges related to operating in an austere environment within the Malaysian jungle and rural settings,” he said. “This activity is an excellent rehearsal for future deployments into the near region, testing the readiness of our people and continuing to enhance our strategic relationships. It is also a great chance for our soldiers, enabling us to further enhance foundation warfighting skills and resilience within our teams.”

Having completed a two-year posting to the Malaysian Army Academy (Akademi Tentera Darat) as the embedded Australian instructor, Major Frisby highlighted the importance of enduring relationships with regional partners. “Australia has a strong military history in Malaysia, and it is an honour to be able to expose Australian soldiers to that history and forge our new path forward within the region,” he said.