TNI 76th Anniversary, Mahfud MD Hopes TNI Continues To Contribute To Handling COVID-19

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD hopes that the TNI will continue to contribute in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Continue the contribution of the TNI in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mahfud MD, quoted by Antara, Monday, October 4.

According to Mahfud MD, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) oversees the defense of the country with full loyalty to Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

"The TNI is also fighting for the prosperity of the country and the welfare of the people with the spirit of the Sapta Marga and the Soldier's Oath," he said.

Mahfud said Dirgahayu TNI. "Be a professional soldier, disciplined, militant and humble," said Mahfud.

The commemoration of the 76th TNI Anniversary which falls on October 5 will feature 112 main weapons system equipment (alutsista) around the Merdeka Palace, precisely along Jalan Merdeka Barat, Jalan Merdeka Selatan and Jalan Merdeka Utara.

"The defense system title is a form of manifestation of the current strength of the TNI and also as a report to the President of the Republic of Indonesia and the public that the budget given by the government to the TNI is one of them used to procure Alutsista needs to maintain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia from disturbances, obstacles, threats and challenges. faced by the Indonesian people," said the Head of the Indonesian National Armed Forces Center for Puspen, Marine Colonel (KH) Edys Riyanto.

Several types of defense equipment that will be displayed are two units of light tactical vehicles Sherpa Light Scout, 35 units of Anoa tactical vehicle, eight units of Indonesia Light Strike Vehicle (ILSV) Armored Personnel Carrier, two units of Rantis Bushmaster, 19 units of P6 Atav, 24 units of Mistral Missiles. , two units of BTR 4, one unit of Alligator, two units of APC Turangga, five units of MLRS (RM 70 Vampire and Tatrapan), two units of Orlikon Skyshield, four units of MLRS Astros and six units of Armed Caesar 155 MM.

Meanwhile, the ceremony to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of the TNI was held in a simple and limited manner by implementing strict health protocol standards considering that currently Indonesia is still hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Colonel Edys, the ceremony which took place in a simple manner, the number of personnel on duty was also limited to only 28 personnel.

In addition to being held at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, the commemoration ceremony for the 76th TNI Anniversary in 2021 was also held in all TNI units both on duty at home and abroad online.

In addition to deploying defense equipment, the TNI also carried out air demonstrations involving 18 fighter aircraft and 8 TNI helicopters involved in an aerial demonstration over the Jakarta sky.

Eight TNI helicopters (AD, AL, AU) with a call sign "Trimatra flight" flew across the Jakarta sky carrying the red-and-white flag and the Indonesian Armed Forces Emblem flag measuring 20x30 meters.

These eight helicopters are divided into two flight elements. The first element (four helicopters) consists of one NAS-332 Super Puma Helicopter Air Squadron 6 Atang Sendjaja Air Base carrying the Red and White flag and three AH-64 E Apache Squadron-11/Assault Helicopters, TNI AD.

Meanwhile, the second element (four helicopters), said Colonel Edys, consisted of 1 EC-725 Caracal Helicopter Air Squadron 8 at Atang Sendjaja Air Base carrying the TNI Trimatra flag and 3 AS565 MBe Panther Helicopters Air Squadron 400 Wing II, TNI AL.

Meanwhile, the 18 Indonesian Air Force fighter aircraft consist of six T-50i Golden Eagle "Golden Flight" (Air Squadron 15) fighter aircraft, 6 F-16 Fighting Falcon "Dragon Flight" (Air Squadron 3).

"And six SU-27/30 'Bajra Flight' fighter aircraft (Air Squadrons 14 and 11) carried out arrow head formations and 'bomb burst' maneuvers right above the Merdeka Palace," said Colonel Edys.