Generals will test new Hawks

JAKARTA (JP): Five three-star generals will flight-test newly purchased Hawk-100 and Hawk-200 bomber jets tomorrow morning, an Air Force official said.

Air Force spokesman Col. Mirsyahban Ashfa said yesterday the five generals, who will also fly in F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, are Chief of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command Lt. Gen. Wiranto, Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, Armed Forces Inspector General Vice Admiral Soegiyono, Army Chief Deputy Lt. Gen. FX Sudjasmin and Armed Forces Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Tarub.

Antara reported that last month, Navy Chief Rear Admiral Arief Kushariadi and National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo also flew the F-16 warplanes in Madiun, East Java.

The Hawk warplanes, stationed in Pekanbaru, Riau, are in Jakarta for an air demonstration to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the Armed Forces on Oct. 5, 1996.

It will be the first public appearance of the Hawk-100s and Hawk-200s since their arrival in Pekanbaru from Britain in May. Indonesia purchased more than a dozen of the British-made warplanes to strengthen the F-16 squadron stationed in Madiun. (rms)