TNI AD Deploys 2 Helicopters To Help Handling Disasters In Sumatra

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/Helikopter transport of Mi-17V5 belonging to the Indonesian Army during training at the 2025 Latgabma Super Garuda Shield event in Baturaja, South Sumatra (ANTARA/Ho-Humas TNI AD)

The Indonesian Army through the Army Aviation Center (Puspenerbad) deployed two helicopters to assist disaster management in the Sumatra region.

Reported by ANTARA, Head of the Army Information Service Colonel Inf. Donny Pramono explained that the two helicopters consisted of one Mi-17 unit and one Bell 412 unit.

Donny explained that the two helicopters had been dispatched under operational control (BKO) to the Commander of the National Air Operations Command (Pangkoopsudnas) Marsdya TNI Minggit Tribowo.

The two helicopter units are supported by a complete crew, namely 12 personnel for Mi-17 and eight personnel for Bell 412.

Meanwhile, he said the two helicopters had flown to Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, Riau, with details of the Mi-17 manned by First Lieutenant Cpn Dany taking routes from Ahmad Yani Army Main Air Base, Semarang, Central Java.

Meanwhile, Bell 412 led by Major Cpn Henryko flew from Pondok Cabe Airport, South Tangerang, Banten.

The flights, he said, went through four stages, namely Semarang 'Pondok Cabe, Pondok Cabe'Way Tuba, Way Tuba' Jambi, and Jambi' Pekanbaru.

For this Saturday (29/11), he said the two helicopter units were planned to head to the Silangit area, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra.

The Head of Dispenad hopes that the presence of the two main weapons systems (alutsista) of the Indonesian Army can accelerate the distribution of aid while strengthening the government's efforts to respond to emergency conditions.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the government had moved quickly in sending aid since the beginning of the flash flood disaster to landslides that occurred in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

"The government is moving fast. From the first days we have reacted, we have sent assistance and reactions via land and air," said the President at the 2025 National Teacher's Day Commemoration Peak event in Jakarta, Friday (28/11).