Indonesian And US Military Hold Air Combat Exercises In Pekanbaru

The Indonesian Military and the United States hold the Air Combat Latma in Pekanbaru. BETWEEN/HO-Humas TNI AU Paban III/Lat Sopsau

PEKANBARU - The Indonesian Military and the United States held a Joint Exercise (Latma) for the 2023 Cope West Air Combat at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base (Rsn) Pekanbaru as an event to strengthen military relations between the two countries.

"This joint exercise was officially opened by the Chairman of the Indonesian Air Force Delegation and the Chairman of the US PACAF Delegation, Lt. Col. Eric'Heff'Broyles, marked by the installation of training badges by the two heads of delegates to representatives of the two countries participants," said the Head of the TNI AU Delegation Paban III/Lat Sopsau Colonel Pnb. I Gusti Putu Setia Dharma was reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 13.

In addition to growing understanding between the two countries, he said, this exercise can also strengthen relations between the two countries and the two air forces, both now and in the future.

I Gusti Putu Setia Dharma said the bilateral COPe West air exercise between the Indonesian Air Force and PACAF provided an opportunity for the two air forces to interact and share knowledge.

"Cope West's training also aims to improve the capabilities and professionalism of personnel from the two air forces in terms of developing tactics and techniques for implementing air operations," said the Paban III/Lat Sopsau.

The Military to Military Connection Direct Action Ground Reconnaissance (M2MC DAGR) exercise which was attended by elite units of the Indonesian Air Force and US Marines is a place to share knowledge and experience between the two elite forces of the two countries.

Meanwhile, Lt.Col Eric "Heff" Broyles expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian Air Force delegation for welcoming and preparing for the exercise very well.

In addition, this joint exercise is a good opportunity for both countries to improve tactical capabilities and friendship between the two air forces.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity to build each other good cooperation," said Broyles' Lt.Col Eric "Heff".

The Latma COPe West 2023 will last for the next 2 weeks involving hundreds of personnel and a number of F-16 fighter aircraft in the second air force. The Indonesian Air Force uses an F-16 aircraft from the Air Squadron 3.

"Dragon" and Air Squadron 14 "Tiger" Iswahjudi Air Base, as well as Air Squadron 16 "Rydder" Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base. Meanwhile, US PACAF uses six F-16 C/D Block 40 fighter aircraft originating from 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing "Wolf Pack" Kunsan Air Force Base (AFB) at Gunsan Airport, the west coast of the South Korean peninsula.

The M2MC DAGR exercise was attended by elite units of the Indonesian Air Force Satbravo and elite troops from the US Marines. The elite units of the two countries will practice close combat, shooting pistols, rifles, as well as snipersiang and at night, securing VVIP, and field health exercises.

COPe West2023 is listed as the 10th exercise of COPe West with the host Indonesia, since its first time in Medan in 1989. This exercise is an implementation of bilateral relations that have long existed well between the two countries to jointly maintain regional stability in Southeast Asia.