Greater professionalism vital for Air Force<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Air Force must continue to improve in light
\nof the increasing sophistication of its equipment, Armed Forces
\nChief Gen. Feisal Tanjung says.<\/p>\n
Feisal said in a speech marking the 48th anniversary of the
\nAir Force on Saturday that Indonesia has no choice but to
\ncontinue to keep up with the developments in military technology,
\nincluding air weaponry.<\/p>\n
The ceremony itself was capped with a flight display,
\nincluding its coveted squadron of U.S.-built F-16 Fighting Falcon
\njet fighters.<\/p>\n
Four F-16 units roared past the spectators at the Halim
\nairbase, making various formations, including an arrow head.<\/p>\n
There was also an air display by helicopters, C-130 transport
\naircraft, A-4 Sky Hawks planes and F-5 Tiger bombers but these
\npaled in comparison with the F-16s.<\/p>\n
Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Rilo Pambudi said after the
\nceremony that despite budget constraints, the air force
\nwill continue to purchase modern war planes to strengthen its
\nability to protect the nation.<\/p>\n
In the next two years, Indonesia will be receiving delivery of
\n24 100-Hawk and 200-Hawk jet fighters from Britain, Rilo said.
\n\"These planes will strengthen our air defenses.\"<\/p>\n
Feisal stressed in his speech that the Air Force holds a
\nspecial position in the military because it has to deal with
\nhigh-technology military equipment in its duties more than the
\nother branches.<\/p>\n
He reminded the force however that it must improve the
\nprofessionalism of its personnel in using and maintaining its
\nweaponry system and remain on guard against any conditions
\nthreatening the country's strategic environment.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was attended by around 400 senior officers,
\nmilitary attaches of foreign embassies and government officials.<\/p>\n
Following the fly-over demonstration, a maneuver was held to
\nportray the efficiency of the Air Force in repossessing an area
\nfrom enemy hands, first by raids conducted by F-5 and F-16 jets
\nand helicopters and then dropping 100 troopers to finish the job.<\/p>\n
Rilo said the exercise was intended to display the personnel's
\nskill and their good coordination in launching the attack.
\n\"That's only a war game. A real air attack is more horrifying,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The ceremony ended with a 62 man jump by members of the Army's
\nStrategic Reserve Command (Kostrad), Army's Elite Troop
\n(Kopassus) and the Garuda parachuting club. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/greater-professionalism-vital-for-air-force-1447899208",
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