Indonesian Marine Corps Strengthens Ties with US Marines

The Indonesian Marine Corps is working to strengthen military relations and cooperation with the United States Marine Corps. This effort to enhance cooperation took place when the Commander of Marine Force 2, Major General (Mar) Oni Junianto, along with the Deputy Assistant for Operations to the Chief of Naval Staff, First Admiral Mochammad Riza, and the Head of the Indonesian Navy Command and Control Centre, Colonel (Marine) Rio Henrymuko, attended the RIMPAC Distinguished Visitors Day as part of the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise in Hawaii on Friday. The delegation of Indonesian Marine Corps officials was received directly by Deputy Commander Major General Matthew T. Mowery. The presence of the Indonesian Marine Corps officials was also to observe their soldiers who had been in Hawaii since the beginning to participate in RIMPAC. Following the visit, Oni Junianto and other Indonesian military officials had the opportunity to tour the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) and receive a briefing on the ship’s operational capabilities and combat readiness. RIMPAC is the world’s largest multilateral maritime exercise, involving 31 countries, approximately 30,000 personnel, 28 warships, five submarines, 30 combat aircraft, and 20 land force elements. The exercise, taking place in Hawaii from 24 June to 31 July, aims to enhance interoperability, professionalism, and strengthen maritime defence cooperation in addressing various regional and global security challenges.