“In addition to fighter aircraft and the Hercules aircraft, we also prepare two units of aircraft for weather modification," National Air Operations Commander, Vice Marshal Tonny Harjono, told reporters at the El Tari Kupang Air Base here on Tuesday.
At the airbase, on Tuesday, Harjono welcomed the arrival of three F-16 aircraft belonging to the Air Force. The three F-16s were prepared to secure the implementation of the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo.
He said that the two C212 aircraft were on standby at Tambolaka Airport, Southwest Sumba District, to observe the weather in the surrounding area.
"The implementation of weather modification technology aims to keep ASEAN summit activities safe from the weather dynamics," he remarked.
Harjono noted that the Air Force’s presence at the event is not only to secure the airspace but also for other matters, such as weather modification.
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He also expected that implementation of the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo can run safely and peacefully without any interference.
Moreover, he invited the people in Labuan Bajo and its surrounding areas to maintain security and order in the region.
“This is an international activity, so let us make this ASEAN summit a success and observe it together, so that it runs safely and smoothly," he stated.
In conducting weather modification, the Air Force worked along with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) that provided the weather information.
Earlier, the BMKG said it would conduct weather modification operations in coordination with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Air Force in the areas where the ASEAN Summit is being held until May 12.
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Translator: Kornelis K, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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