"Around 250 soldiers from Fleet Command I were involved," head of the command's information office, Colonel Yoni Nova, said when contacted from Jakarta on Saturday (April 27), noting that the drill took place on April 24-26.
According to a statement received from the office on Saturday, three battleships—KRI John Lie-358, KRI Sutedi Senoputera-378, and KRI Tjiptadi-381—practiced tactical maneuvers and conducted a shooting practice.
The Indonesian Navy also dispatched a Cassa P-8201 transport aircraft to the North Natuna Sea during the drill.
Monitoring the drill aboard KRI John Lie-358, Commander of the Fleet Command I, Rear Admiral Yoos Suryono, explained that the exercise was meant to enhance the capacity and preparedness of soldiers to deal with different situations in the sea.
"Soldiers are expected to continuously hone their combat instincts for the sake of Indonesian waters," he addressed participating soldiers.
During his visit to North Natuna, Suryono also inspected the preparedness of personnel stationed on Laut Island and Sekatung Island in Natuna District, Riau Island Province.
The two islands directly face the North Natuna Sea in the north and share direct borders with the waters of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Vietnam.
The rear admiral, on Thursday (April 25), reviewed the condition of a navy post on Laut Island and met with soldiers stationed at a marine post on Sekatung Island.
On the islands, the rear admiral also urged soldiers on duty to continue to maintain the reputation of the Indonesian Navy, ensure their health, and establish good relations with local residents.
Translator: Genta T, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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