Six Fighter Jets Escort President Prabowo's Flight for TNI AU's 80th Anniversary

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets and two KAI T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft escorted the Indonesian Presidential Aircraft Indonesia One during the 80th anniversary of the TNI AU on Thursday (9/4), en route to the President’s working visit to Magelang, Central Java.

“May the TNI AU continue to thrive, always strong in defending the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia in the air. The Indonesian people are proud of you,” said President Prabowo Subianto via radio communication from the presidential aircraft cockpit, quoted from the Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI) of the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday.

The aerial escort was carried out professionally by the TNI AU as part of the VVIP security procedure while President Prabowo departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta to Adisutjipto Air Base in Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).

The escort coincided with the series of events commemorating the 80th TNI AU Anniversary, reflecting national air defence readiness. President Prabowo conveyed that the Indonesian people are proud of the dedication and capabilities demonstrated by the air force personnel.

The President also emphasised that the sovereignty of the homeland is in the hands of the soldiers he called young eagles. This appreciation was given as a form of respect for the boundless spirit of service shown by the TNI AU over eight decades.

Meanwhile, the TNI AU pilots conducting the escort expressed gratitude for the President’s support for the modernisation of defence equipment that has been underway since Prabowo served as Minister of Defence in 2019. This support is considered crucial in strengthening air power towards an Advanced Indonesia.

“We ask for prayers and blessings to always be given strength in carrying out our duties of service to the nation and state,” reported one of the escort fighter jet pilots from the cockpit.