Monument for parachutists

Monument for parachutists

BUN AIR BASE, Central Kalimantan: Air Force Chief of Staff
Vice Marshal Hanafie Asnan dedicated a monument on Friday to mark
the force's first ever parachute operation during the
revolutionary struggle 51 years ago, Antara reported.

The Palagan Sambi monument, built in this airbase in
Kotawaringin Barat regency, is dedicated to the force's airborne
unit known as Kopaskhas (Special Force).

A C-4/Dakota transport plane that took part in that historic
operation also became part of the monument.

The operation involved 13 soldiers dropped into Kotawaringin
Barat to establish a radio station that would provide the only
contact between Kalimantan and Yogyakarta, which in 1947 was the
provisional capital of the new republic. Jakarta then was
occupied by the Dutch forces attempting to reimpose colonial rule
in Indonesia.

Some of the soldiers taking part in the operation died.

Muhammad Dahlan, 74, a survivor of that operation also
witnessed the dedication ceremony as did Central Kalimantan
Governor Warsito Rasman MA, Antara said.