The personnel, along with equipment and logistics supplies, were transported aboard the landing platform dock KRI Makassar‑590, which departed the Military Sea Transport Command (Kolinlamil) in North Jakarta on Tuesday.
Ali said the marine engineering task force will conduct pre‑reconstruction and rehabilitation work in communities affected by recent disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra.
The contingent, led by Lt. Col. Zainal of the 1st Marine Engineer Battalion, is responsible for clearing mud and debris, repairing emergency infrastructure, evacuating victims, constructing temporary facilities and distributing humanitarian aid.
To support the mission, the navy has deployed heavy construction machinery, field kitchens, transport vehicles, communications equipment and power generators to sustain operations in remote and heavily damaged areas.
Ali said the marines will proceed directly to disaster sites upon arrival and remain on the ground until affected areas are stabilized and safe for civilian activity.
At a cabinet meeting on Monday, armed forces chief General Agus Subiyanto briefed President Prabowo Subianto on the scale of military assets mobilized for post‑disaster recovery across Sumatra.
Agus said 82 aircraft have been deployed for logistics transport, troop movements and evacuations, including an A400M, six Hercules aircraft, two CN295s, seven Cassa 212s and additional aircraft operated by the national disaster agency.
He added that 36 helicopters from the military, the defense ministry and the disaster agency are supplying isolated communities cut off by damaged roads.
For maritime support, the military has deployed 20 navy vessels to transport personnel and relief supplies, including the hospital ships KRI Radjiman Wedyodiningrat‑992 and KRI dr. Soeharso‑990.
The navy has also assigned KRI Bontang to deliver diesel fuel to affected regions.
On land, the army has deployed 53 heavy machines, including excavators and bulldozers, to rebuild damaged infrastructure.
Engineering units are repairing roads, clearing mud and constructing Bailey bridges, with 50 bridge sites identified so far and two already completed and reopened.
Agus said 35,477 personnel remain deployed across Sumatra and will stay in place until recovery operations are completed.
Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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