Joint Defence Area Command III Oversees Handover of Pilot's Body

The Joint Defence Area Command III (Pangkogabwilhan III) oversaw the arrival, handover, and final honours for the body of Captain Nicholas Francis Gosselin, a pilot for PT AMA, at Silas Papare Air Base in Sentani, Jayapura Regency, on Friday (3/7). The body was flown from Timika to Sentani aboard a TNI Air Force Boeing 737.

The handover process was led directly by Pangkogabwilhan III Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, accompanied by Pangkoops TNI Habema Major General Yudha Airlangga. The ceremony was attended by TNI officials, local government representatives, PT AMA leadership, fellow AMA pilots, and the Bishop of Jayapura, Yanuarius Teofilus Matopai You.

The procession began with military honours, followed by the signing of the official handover document transferring the body to PT AMA, represented by the Bishop of Jayapura. The body was then moved to the PT AMA hangar in Sentani for a lying-in-state and a service of spiritual strengthening.

In his remarks, Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto expressed deep condolences over the death of Captain Nicholas. “On behalf of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, we extend our deepest condolences. The deceased fell while carrying out a humanitarian mission to serve communities in the interior of Papua. We strongly condemn the act that took the life of a humanitarian servant,” he stated in an official release on Saturday (4/7).

Lucky also expressed appreciation for all elements involved in securing the location, the tactical evacuation, and the repatriation process. He affirmed that the TNI remains committed to maintaining security so that services to the people of Papua can proceed safely.

Meanwhile, Bishop Yanuarius Teofilus Matopai You of Jayapura stated that PT AMA has served the people of Papua for decades through education, health, social services, and church ministry. “AMA’s mission is a humanitarian mission. Our aircraft are present to serve remote communities. We strongly condemn the shooting and burning of the aircraft that took the life of a humanitarian servant,” he said.

Captain Nicholas died in a shooting incident involving a PT AMA PK-RCY aircraft at Ipdeheik Airstrip in Sobaham District, Yahukimo Regency, while carrying out a humanitarian service mission for remote communities in Papua. Koops TNI Habema affirmed its commitment to supporting the creation of a conducive security situation so that humanitarian, educational, health, and development services in Papua can continue. Stronger synergy between the TNI, government, churches, and all elements of society is expected to realise a safe, peaceful, and prosperous Papua.