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)