F-16 Fighter Jets from Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase Conduct Aerial Patrols to Monitor Forest Fires
The Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base (Lanud) is strengthening the management of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Riau Province by deploying F-16 fighter jets. These aircraft are patrolling the skies of the ‘Bumi Lancang Kuning’ region daily to monitor forest fires from the air.
Commander of Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase, Air Commodore Abdul Haris, stated that this aerial monitoring aims to ensure that hotspot or fire spot data available in applications matches real-time conditions. This activity is carried out routinely every day and is combined with flight training, which is part of the regular training programme of Air Squadron 16.
With their long-range capabilities and wide coverage, the F-16 aircraft can assist in monitoring various areas in Riau Province, particularly the potential emergence of fire spots. Aerial monitoring is also a crucial step in the early detection of forest fire indications, allowing for immediate follow-up by relevant authorities.
The monitoring area covers the Riau Province region, which also serves as the flight training area for Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase’s fighter jets. Consequently, while training continues, the patrols also contribute to supporting forest fire prevention and management efforts.
Abdul Haris noted that any information obtained from the F-16 aerial monitoring will be forwarded to the Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase Operations Department to be coordinated and reported to the Riau Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) as a basis for determining subsequent response measures.
“We conduct these F-1lag F-16 flights routinely to monitor fire spots and hotspots. The results of this monitoring will be forwarded to the Ground Task Force to determine the next steps for handling,” said Abdul Haris in a statement on Thursday (3/9/2026).
The results of the Air Task Force’s monitoring will determine the category of the hotspot (small, medium, or large), which will then be followed up with water bombing efforts using helicopters from the BNPB, the Ministry of Forestry, or the Indonesian Air Force’s Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase.
He added that forest fire management requires synergy and coordination among all parties. Therefore, Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Riau Provincial Government, Riau BPBD, the TNI-Polri (Military and Police) ranks, and all elements involved in the Forest Fire Task Force.
Previously, Riau Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, requested that his personnel not relax their vigilance even though fires have been declared extinguished. This is particularly important as the characteristics of peatlands in several areas of Pelalawan, which are a focus of firefighting, allow embers to persist and cause smoke to reappear if cooling is not thorough.
“Even if the surface fire is no longer visible, the work is not finished. We must ensure that the embers are completely extinguished. Therefore, cooling must be carried out thoroughly, and points still emitting smoke must continue to be monitored,” said Inspector General Herry Heryawan following an aerial patrol on Monday (31/8).
The characteristics of the land in Kerumutan, which consists of peat, make the firefighting process difficult. Fire can persist beneath the surface, meaning ground-based handling must be reinforced with aerial operations. The Riau Regional Police, along with Kodam XIX/Tuanku Tambusai, BNPB, BPBD, Manggala Agni, Fire Care Communities, and other relevant elements, continue to deploy resources to accelerate firefighting.
Firefighting efforts are also bolstered by the Air Task Force, which has deployed one water bombing helicopter and drone surveillance to assist in monitoring the affected areas. According to the Police Chief, the significant force maintained in the field is part of a strategy to ensure that management does not stop merely after the fire is controlled.
“We are maintaining our strength in the field because the target is not just to extinguish the fire. We must ensure that re-ignition does not occur. Ground teams are working on firefighting and cooling, while from the air, we conduct monitoring and provide water bombing support to locations that require it,” he added.