Commander of the air base Vice Marshal A Dwi Putranto who led the opening ceremony of the joint exercise on Monday said the exercise which took place at the taxi way of the air base`s 32 air squadron wing 2 was for the first time held at the air base.
Code-named "Teak Iron - 2011" the 12-day exercise will end on July 8. The exercise is a manifestation of both sides` wish to forge the existing cooperation.
"This exercise is aimed at strengthening the concept of joint air support operations between the TNI AU and the US Air Force, particularly with regard to tactical and technical procedure of conducting air support operations using C-130 Hercules planes," he said.
Hopefully, both sides could take a valuable lesson from the exercise, he said.
"In addition, we also hope that the exercise will allow us to share experience in air operations," he said.
He asked the TNI AU personnel joining the exercise to comply with exercise rules and procedures, particularly flight safety which served as main priority by avoiding high risk actions.
The exercise involves two US C-130 Hercules planes with 87 personnel led by the USAF`s exercise director, Lt Col Zimmerman. Meanwhile, the TNI AU mobilizes two C-130 Hercules with 150 personnel from the Air Squadron 32 of the Abdurrahman Saleh air base and the battalion of the special force Paskhas 464. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
