KSAU Inaugurates A4 Skyhawk Monument In Tebet

JAKARTA - Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU) Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo inaugurated the A-4 Skyhawk Monument "Swa Bhuwana Paksa" in Taman Seno, Tebet, Jakarta, along with representatives from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.

At the inauguration which was also attended by former aviator and engineering crew of the A-4 Skyhawk training fighter, KSAU recalled the moment when he was in charge of flying the A-4 Skyhawk aircraft on the 11th Air Squadron with a 'President 107' callsign.

"By saying Bismillahirahmanirahim, today, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 09.50 WIB, the A-4 Skyhawk Aircraft Monument is hereby declared inaugurated," said Marshal Fadjar as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 24.

Then, KSAU together with the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of DKI Jakarta Province Joko Agus Setyono, climbed onto the garden courtyard and opened the cloth which originally closed the A-4 Skyhawk plane.

In his remarks, KSAU stated that he personally had a history of being an A-4 Skyhawk pilot, so the 'Swa Bhuwana Paksa' Monument in Taman Seno, Tebet, was a matter of pride.

"With my experience and service background as a Skyhawk A-4 pilot, of course I also feel proud and grateful because this inauguration ceremony was attended by seniors and elders of aviation and crew members of the A-4 Skyhawk in its time. This moment is also a good opportunity as a means of friendship among the big families of flight crew A-4 Skyhawk," said Kasau.

He continued that the A-4 Skyhawk fighter, which was used for approximately 24 years, played a role in a number of important operations, including Operation Sriti Samber (November 1987), Operation Seroja (19801999), Operation Oscar (19911992).

Then Operation Rencong Terbang (19911995), Operation Halau, Operation Badar, Operation Jalak Sakti, and Operation Sikatan Daya.

The training fighter also underwent a series of exercises, namely the Seberang Eagle Exercise with the New Zealand Air Force, the Ausindo Eagle Training, Thai Eagle, Malindo Eagle, and Indipura Eagle.

A-4 Skyhawk carved gold ink for 24 years of service in maintaining the sovereignty of the country in the air. More than that, the A-4 Skyhawk aircraft and the soldiers who manned it became a matter of pride for the Indonesian nation," said Fadjar Prasetyo.

The KSAU also hopes that the monument, which is named 'Swa Bhuwana Paksa', which is interpreted laterally as 'Wave the Protection of the Country', can be a historical lesson for the younger generation and the surrounding community who visit Taman Seno, Tebet.

"With the location of the monument which I value very strategically, we hope that the Indonesian people can get to know more closely about the progress history of the A-4 Skyhawk aircraft as the core strength of the Indonesian Air Force at Iswahjudi Air Base (Lanud), Sultan Hasanuddin Air Base, and Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base.

"Moreover, the story and history of the service of the A-4 Skyhawk Punggawa deserves to be a role model for the younger generation of the Air Force to always work unconditionally in every service and implement their duties for the sake of upholding the sovereignty of the country in the air," said Marshal Fadjar.

The A-4 Skyhawk with the tail number TT-0419 in Tebet adds to the list of Air Force A-4 Skyhawk aircraft that were immortalized as monuments.

Several units of A-4 Skyhawk aircraft were also immortalized as monuments in Makassar, Kendari, Subang, Pekanbaru, Majalengka, Blora, then some became a collection of the Satria Mandala Museum, the Central Museum of the Indonesian Air Force Dirgantara Mandala.