PBOU (Pusat Bantuan Operasi Udara) Lahad Datu Takes Shape

28 Oktober 2019

Pusat Bantuan Operasi Udara at Lahad Datu Airport (photo : MFH)

The new Air Operation Support Centre (Pusat Bantuan Operasi Udara – PBOU) at Lahad Datu Airport will be another important air station for the defence of east coast of Sabah.

It is the second of such air station after PBOU at Tawau Airport. Just like PBOU Tawau, this new forward operation base entrusted to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will hosted a helicopter detachment as well as a flight of PASKAU commandos.

They will be put under constant alert to support forward deployed military units in the vicinity including the 13th ESSCOM Brigade (at Cenderawasih Camp) and Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) UNGGERIN commando (attached to Lahad Datu Marine Base) as well as Malaysian Coast Guard STAR  commando (attached to FELDA Sahabat 16 jetty).

The commencement of operation will mean that the RMAF’s No 5 Skn ‘Rimau’ will be very busy as it is now operating 5 of its Eurocopter EC-725AP Super Cougar Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopters dispersed throughout Labuan AFB main base, the PBOU Tawau and PBOU Lahad Datu.

Lahad Datu Sabah (image : Google Maps)

A long time Sabah resident since the time the squadron operated Aerospatialle SA. 316B Allouette Mk III helicopter during Konfrontasi, it shoulders great responsibility supporting the PASKAL commandos deployed to the Spratlys as well as troops in ESSCOM especially after No 7 Skn ‘Badak’ Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri, also maintaining a detachment in Labuan, were all grounded following recent mishap in Gubir, Perak.

This highlight the need for the RMAF to add more EC-725 in the future. As interim measure, perhaps the Air Force would consider to lease Eurocopter EC-225 Super Puma Mk II for troop transport and logistic support roles.

PBOU Lahad Datu is able to accommodate three medium sized helicopter in its hangar plus three more at the apron.

Initial plan saw the Malaysian Army Aviation Force (Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat – PUTD) to operate two of its new MD Helicopters MD-530G Defender Light Scout/Attack Helicopter (LSAH)  out of PBOU Lahad Datu. Unfortunately, due to discrepancies in the deal, the plan to procure 6 of these US made helicopters were recently cancelled.

Having said that, PBOU Lahad Datu still suitable to accommodate attack helicopters in the future should the program being restart again.

(MFH)