Indonesian Air Force Upgrades Three Air Bases from Type C to Type B

The Indonesian National Armed Forces Air Force (TNI AU) has upgraded the status of three TNI AU air bases (lanud): Lanud Wiriadinata in Tasikmalaya, Lanud Pangeran M. Bun Yamin in Lampung, and Lanud Yohanis Kapiyau in Timika, from type C to type B.

According to a TNI AU press release issued on Wednesday, the ceremony to elevate the bases’ status was led by the Commander of the National Air Operations Command (Pangkoopsudnas), Air Marshal TNI Minggit Tribowo, at the Antarikshe Sports Hall, Makodau I, Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta, on Monday (15/6).

In his address during the ceremony, Minggit stated that the status upgrade was carried out to meet the operational needs of the TNI military. “The upgrade of the air bases to type B is a strategic step to strengthen operational support for the tasks of units within the National Air Operations Command,” he said.

He explained that these three air bases were selected because their locations are highly strategic for supporting operations such as securing national airspace, air mobility and air power projection, humanitarian assistance, disaster management, as well as military operations for war (OMP) and military operations other than war (OMSP). Consequently, the three air bases can be utilised as sources of combat power, airspace surveillance posts, and staging points for humanitarian or military operations.

Minggit added that the status upgrade is also accompanied by an increase in the air bases’ capacity and other supporting combat facilities. With this enhancement, he expects the TNI AU to be more effective in executing national air defence operations.