Welcoming The Return Of 119 Indonesian Navy Soldiers On A Lebanese Peace Mission, KSAL Please Arrange A Leave Period

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali directly welcomed the return of 119 Indonesian Navy soldiers who were members of the UN peace mission force in Lebanon in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 6.

Ali expressed his pride that hundreds of soldiers from the TNI MTF Task Force, the Garuda XXVIII-N UNIFIL contingent, succeeded in carrying out their duties as UN peacekeepers representing Indonesia in Lebanon.

All the Contingents of the MTF (Maritime Task Force) KONDA (Kontingen Garuda) TNI XXVIII-N UNIFIL, especially to the contingent commander and commander of the KRI Frans Kaisiepo-368, I on behalf of myself and on behalf of all Indonesian Navy soldiers express my gratitude and high appreciation for your performance," said Ali after reading the remarks of the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto during the welcoming ceremony at Kolinlamil Pier, Jakarta on February 6, confiscated by Antara.

Ali said that the Indonesian Navy officials managed to fulfill the three functions of the Indonesian Navy, namely the defense function (millary), the law enforcement function (constabulary), and the diplomatic function.

"You have shown it with great pride and dedication. Once again, I am in the personal name and all Indonesian Navy soldiers welcome back to Indonesia. Welcome to meet your family," said Ali.

Finally, he also invited the commanders to arrange leave for their staff at the TNI MTF Task Force KONI XXVIII-N UNIFIL so that they could gather longer with their respective families after being separated for 14 months.

"Please arrange it for your leave period," said Kasal to the Commander of the Task Force (Dansatgas) MTF TNI KONI XXVIII-N UNIFIL Marine Lt. Col. (P) John David Narasakti Sondakh.

The Maritime Task Force (MTF) of the TNI KONI XXVIII-N UNIFIL began their service as UN peacekeepers on December 1, 2022 when the warship carrying them KRI Frans Kaisiepo-368 left the country for Lebanon.

During his assignment, the Indonesian Navy soldier who was part of the MTF XXVIII-N UNIFIL Task Force managed to save 232 refugees whose ship sank in the Mediterranean Sea.

The alertness and success of the MTF Task Force was then appreciated by the Commander of the UNIFIL Peace Mission Force Major General Aroldo Lazaro. He provided an official letter containing praise (peter of commitment) for the leadership, dedication, and professional attitude of the TNI XXVIII-N UNIFIL MTF Task Force.

Not only that, but the MTF XXVIII-N UNIFIL Task Force also received letter of outstanding service, medals from the United Nations, peace medals, and cultural ambassadors from the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Lebanon, and a merit from the Lebanese Government of LAF Medal.

Hundreds of Indonesian Navy soldiers who are members of the TNI's MTF Task Force KONI XXVIII-N UNIFIL also received the Satyalancana Santi Dharma's signature for their success in completing the peace mission in Lebanon.

In the last 15 years, Indonesia has routinely sent TNI soldiers to join the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon every year. In Lebanon as of October 26, 2023, the TNI Information Center said there were 1,229 soldiers who were members of various UNIFIL task forces.

The Garuda Maritime Task Force Task Force is one of the tasks in the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which consists entirely of Indonesian Navy soldiers.

The MTF Task Force in Lebanon is tasked with maintaining peace along the Lebanese and Israeli borders along with other task forces, including the TNI Mechanized Battalion Task Force (INDOBATT), the TNI Headquarters/Force Headquarters Supporter Task Force (FHQSU), the Indo Force Protection Company (FPC) Task Force, the Civil-Military Coordination Task Force / Civilian Military Coordination (CIMIC) TNI, the Military Community Outreach Unit (MCOU) Task Force, and the Level 2 Hospital Task Force.

Most TNI soldiers who are members of UNIFIL operate on land, while the MTF Task Force carries out its duties at sea.

Several tasks carried out by soldiers from the UNIFIL MTF Task Force, including patrolling the waters, along the border, preventing the illegal entry of weapons, and holding training for Lebanese Navy soldiers.

The TNI MTF KONGA XXVIII-N UNIFIL/KRI Task Force Frans Kaisiepo-368 is the 14th MTF Task Force sent by Indonesia to Lebanon.

Upon their return to the country, the task in Lebanon is currently being carried out by the TNI MTF Task Force KONI XXVIII-O UNIFIL/KRI Diponegoro-365.