Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The forces from the United States Navy (U.S. Navy) and the Indonesian Navy have begun repairing roads on Sipora Island, Mentawai Islands Regency, West Sumatra.

The head of Publication and Documentation at 2016s Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK), Marine Colonel (P) Suradi Agung Slamet stated on Thursday that the initiative is part of a program for infrastructure development, such as road improvements, namely Engineering Civic Action Program as part of 2016s Komodo activity.

The 2016s Komodo is a naval activity with international standards, which will be held from April 12 to 16 in the city of Padang and Mentawai Islands.

This activity comprises 2016s International Fleet Review (IFR), the 15th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), and the second Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo.

There will be 35 countries joining the construction activity. During the exercise, the Navy from different countries will be working together to carry out activities in the context of humanitarian missions, such as the Medical Civic Action Project (Medcap) and the Engineering Civic Action Project (Encap), as well as training for the Maritime Peace Keeping Operation (MPKO).

While contacted separately, the Chief of the Navy Information Office, Marine Colonel (P) Edi Sucipto pointed out the Komodo Exercise would involve 60 warships from 16 countries participating in the activity.

"The event is being followed by the navy of 35 countries and the Chiefs of Naval Staff from 20 countries will attend it," he stated.

Preparation for the major event, he added, is continuing so that it proceeds smoothly without any obstacles.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016