The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Mon, 06/25/2012 7:16 PM
The United States Air Force (USAF) and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) started Monday a joint military exercise codenamed Cope West 2012 at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta.
The training was commenced by Halim’s 1st Wing commander Col. Ardhi Tjahjoko as training director and USAF Cope West Detachment commander Lt. Col. Rick Richard.
The training had been regularly conducted since 2009, Ardhi said in a media statement.
“The exercise is beneficial to TNI-AU members to better deal with natural disaster management,” he said in the statement. “Currently there is already an agreement among countries in the world to help each other in disaster relief.”
There are 40 personnel from the TNI-AU while the USAF deploys 80 personnel in the exercise that ends on Friday.
Richard, who is based at the Yokota Air Force Base in Japan, said the joint exercise could build friendship between both air forces. Cooperating with each other would also make it easier to reach goals in disaster relief.
USAF Capt. Chris Chrampanis said that he was looking forward to working side by side with his Indonesian counterparts “throughout all aspects of our flying mission”.
Activities during the exercise would include logistics, personnel, night flights, static flights, and packing techniques for logistics drops, free-fall and class discussions. (png/nvn)
