Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff (Kasau) Air Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo received an honorary visit from Australian Chief of Air Force (CAF RAAF) Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld at the Indonesian Air Force Headquarters, East Jakarta.

In a written statement of the Indonesian Air Force Information Service (Dispenau) on Monday, he expected that the visit can strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ air forces to bolster regional air security.

In addition to increasing the forces’ collaboration, Hupfeld undertook the visit to attend the Bintang Swa Bhuwana Paksa Utama award ceremony.

The award will be handed over directly by Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa to the CAF RAAF at the TNI Headquarters, Jakarta.

The Bintang Swa Bhuwana Paksa Utama award is a token of service given by the Indonesian Government to a soldier, who is assessed to have performed extraordinary services to advance and improve the Indonesian Air Force.

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The Indonesian Government views Hupfeld as having contributed to strengthening relations between the Indonesian and Australian air forces.

Thus, Prasetyo had extended his congratulations in person to the CAF RAAF. Prasetyo was also one of the recipients of the award in 2020.

Hupfeld was welcomed by Indonesian Air Force soldiers through an honorary ceremony for the higher ranks.

After inspecting the troops, the two air force chiefs continued to discuss various current security issues as well as the opportunities to reinforce their cooperation.

During the meeting, Prasetyo was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force Vice Marshal Agustinus Gustaf Brugman, Commander of the National Air Operations Command Vice Marshal Andyawan Martono Putra, as well as several operational assistants.

Meanwhile, the CAF RAAF attended the meeting along with the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF’s) Group Captain (GPCAPT) Ian Goold, Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) Tegan Cawley, Warrant Officer of the Air Force (WOFF-AF) Fiona Grasby, and the Australian defence attaché in Jakarta.

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Translator: Genta Mawangi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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