RI-U.S. navies in joint exercise

SURABAYA: Indonesian and American navies have been conducting joint exercises in Indonesian territories, beginning on May 15 and lasting until May 30.

Spokesman for the Indonesian Navy's Eastern Fleet Lt. Col. Eddy Irrawan said the exercises involve Indonesian and U.S. warships, planes and marines frogmen.

The war games are taking place near Surabaya in the Java Sea, the Bali Sea, South China Sea, Tanjungpinang in Sumatra and in the Jakarta Bay, Antara reported.

The exercises include handling of logistics at harbors and at sea, fire extinguishing with helicopters, cross-border patrols, amphibious offensives and helicopter assaults.

The visiting American navy officials have paid courtesy calls on local government officials, including chief of the Indonesian navy's eastern fleet Commodore Bambang Surjanto and Surabaya mayor Sunarto Sumoprawiro. (pan)