Air Force observes anniversary

Air Force observes anniversary

YOGYAKARTA: The Indonesian Air Force celebrated its 53rd
anniversary in a modest ceremony at the Yogyakarta Air Force
Academy on Saturday, with a pledge to improve professionalism in
protecting the country.

Air Force Chief Marshal Hanafie Asnan said the force still
lacked equipment to cover the archipelago.

"Yet we are determined to keep improving our capability,"
Hanafi said.

Among the distinguished guests who attended the ceremony were
former Air Force chief Rear Air Marshal (ret.) Oemar Dhani and
two former Cabinet ministers, Rear Marshal (ret.) Ginandjar
Kartasasmita and Commodore (ret.) Abdul Gafur.

The ceremony is held annually in remembrance of the first
attack by the Indonesian Air Force against the Dutch fortress in
Semarang, Salatiga and Ambarawa, all in Central Java, and the
shooting of an Indonesian Dakota transport airplane by a Dutch
Kitty Hawk. Two Indonesian Air Force officers, Adisutjipto and
Abdulrachman Saleh, were killed in the air battle, which took
place on July 29, 1947. (swa)