Departing from its base in Surabaya, East Java, on December 11, 2023, this Sigma-class ship braved the rough waves of the Red Sea before making its way to the Mediterranean Sea, aiding Lebanese forces in maintaining stability.
In Lebanon, the battleship was tasked with inspecting ships entering and leaving the Mediterranean as part of the Maritime Task Force (MTF) of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
During a ceremonial return at the Military Sealift Command (Kolinlamil) base in North Jakarta on Friday (Feb 14), Lieutenant Colonel Wirastyo Haprabu, the commander of KRI Diponegoro-365, shared details on the key moments his ship and crew went through during their Lebanon deployment.
The ship’s voyage to Lebanon was not exactly smooth sailing, as Haprabu and his crew encountered a challenge when they entered the Red Sea near Yemen.
Concerns from the Yemeni Houthi factions and the presence of NATO ships in the vicinity made matters tricky for KRI Diponegoro-365. However, as a representative of Indonesia, the battleship managed to clear up the confusion, assuring everyone that it was just seeking a passage to join a peacekeeping mission.
As previously noted, the primary duty of the Indonesian warship was to inspect ships traveling to or from Lebanon and its adjacent waters.
Haprabu adapted to engaging with the captains of these ships to gather information about their vessels and relay it to the Lebanese Navy to help prevent illegal goods from entering Lebanon.
Due to the nature of their deployment in Lebanon, the Indonesian Navy soldiers aboard KRI Diponegoro-365 spent almost 80 percent of their time during their year-long mission battling intense heat and freezing winds out at sea.
The mission wrapped up smoothly, with the crew not finding suspicious items aboard the ships they inspected.
The Israel problem
Throughout its deployment, the Indonesian peacekeeping vessel encountered one challenge after another, with the tallest coming after Israel decided to ramp up its assaults on Hezbollah forces in Lebanon in October 2024.
This move by the Zionist regime marked a turning point for the ship’s mission, with Israeli fighter jets and drones frequently flying overhead in circles provocatively.
Haprabu and his troops wisely responded to this provocation by preparing KRI Diponegoro-365 with defensive measures in case of an attack.
This alarming situation lasted for months, but no clashes erupted between the Indonesian and Israeli forces, as tensions with Hezbollah finally began to placate.
Fighting boredom
As a captain commanding a ship crewed by young, energetic soldiers, Lieutenant Colonel Haprabu was well aware of the importance of maintaining a positive and vibrant environment aboard the vessel.
After all, spending a year gazing at nothing but a vast expanse of water would bore anyone.
Considering this, the commander furnished his crew with diverse recreational amenities, such as a karaoke spot and a gaming console.
Even with limited phone signals at sea, the soldiers still endeavored to contact their families back in the homeland to stay connected with the people they cared about. It was not uncommon to find the crew exploring every nook and cranny of the ship in search of a better signal.
Moreover, the soldiers would often engage in tug of war to pass the time while their ship was docking for resupply.
The young navy personnel continually engaged in these activities, shielding themselves from boredom, which could negatively impact their mission.
The German Medal
Of all the priceless experiences Haprabu and his crew had during the deployment, receiving the German Medal from Germany’s Ministry of Defense was undoubtedly the most memorable.
This medal signifies the first instance of an MTF delegation from Indonesia receiving such recognition from the German government.
The ship commander said he treasures this award, believing it is no small feat to be honored with a medal from a country known for its technological advancements.
This medal was presented in recognition of the Indonesian warship’s exceptional performance in hailing duty and participation in joint drills with MTF delegations from other countries.
Haprabu noted that the German delegation, as the chair of the MTF, deeply valued KRI Diponegoro-365 and its crew for their contributions to the peacekeeping mission.
A lesson of gratitude
The numerous events Haprabu and his crew experienced in Lebanon profoundly altered his perspective on life, enhancing his understanding of the importance of gratitude.
He expressed gratitude that Indonesia is not embroiled in war and bloodshed, which could result in severe economic and social disasters in the absence of national unity.
He stated that all those bleak conditions were evident in Lebanon.
The ship commander expressed hope that all the undesirable events he witnessed in Lebanon would remain a lifelong lesson in his memory and not befall Indonesia.
He also expected his personnel to share his viewpoint regarding the experiences they gained in Lebanon as invaluable lessons highlighting the importance of maintaining national unity and integrity.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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