"Kohanudnas held an interception simulation with code name - 37th of Tutuka - as a climax of national air defence training operation," said Timika Airbase Commander Lieutenant Colonel Untung Suropati in an interview with Antara on Wednesday.
He added that the simulation demonstrated an unidentified aircraft without permit infiltrating Indonesian airspace, which was intercepted by two F 16s.
TNI AU deployed a Boeing 737-200 Maritime Surveillance as the unidentified aircraft.
"After TNI AU received a report from Kohanudnas, they launched an F 16 combat jet to intercept the unidentified aircraft. The F 16 conducted visual identification and urged the aircraft to identify itself," said Suropati.
When interceptor jets come across suspicious cases, they will force unidentified aircrafts to land at the nearest airport.
In the exercise, Boeing 737-200 was forced to land at Mozes Kilangin Airport and TNI AU combed out the aircraft and held the plane until they received the permit license.
"The officers then interrogated the pilot and crew members of the unidentified aircraft. If they do not have a valid license, they should wait until the license is issued," said Suropati.
The simulation was operated by officers at Mozes Kilangin Airport after 12 p.m. local time when the air traffic was low.
The Boeing 737-200 flew from its airbase at The Fifth Air Squadron Ujung Pandang, while the two F 16s flew from Manua Air Base of Biak, Papua.
The Kohanudnas is holding simulations from Tuesday (September 24) to Thursday (September 26) at Mozes Kilangin Airport to mitigate the impact of air strikes on national vital objects.
"We cannot conduct the simulation above the national vital object of PT Freeport Indonesia and simulate the air exercise above Mozes Kilangin Airport," Suropati said.
Kohanudnas deployed at least 100 Army (TNI AD) soldiers and several officers from Mozes Kilangin Airport as well as PT Freeport Indonesia.
Editor: AA Ariwibowo
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
