The welcoming ceremony had been held at Marine Military Traffic Command`s pier here on Sunday.
The President was on the occasion accompanied by the Military (TNI) Chief Admiral Agus Suhartono, the three military chiefs of staff, and members of the cabinet.
The ceremony was opened with the deployment of sea riders and LCVP water vessels carrying the task force personnel.
The 3 warships involved in the operation to free MV Sinar Kudus were KRI Yos Sudarso, KRI Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma and KRI Banjarmasin.
MV Sinar Kudus with a crew of 20 was hijacked by Somali pirates on March 16, 2011 while carrying ferronickel to the Netherlands.
MV Sinar Kudus was taken to Somali waters about 350 miles South East of Oman and held there for 46 days, and the crew taken hostage and a ransom was demanded from the vessel`s owner, until the vessel and crew as well as cargo were eventually set free on May 1, 2011.
The cargo vessel was released after paying the ransom and a military operation led by Colonel M. Taufiqurochman.
The Task Force involved two frigates KRI Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma-355 and KRI Yos Sudarso-353, KRI Banjarmasin-592, a helicopter, "sea riders" and LCVP.
The military personnel deployed in the mission included the Army`s Special Force (Kopasus), Marines and Amphibious Command personnel. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
