Three states to join naval operations

Three states to join naval operations

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Singapore and Japan will take part
in naval civic operations in South Sumatra, Palembang Navy Chief
Commodore Nuranto was quoted by Antara as saying here Saturday.

The operations will be launched by Navy Chief of Staff Admiral
Arief Kushariadi here tomorrow and in the presence of his
Singaporean counterpart, Nuranto said.

The naval base will also invite warships that have been
operating in the Natuna waters and Bangka Strait to join the
ceremony.

The operations will be centered in Bangka and Belitung islands
for 30 days and involve a total 776 personnel, including 550
Indonesian and 100 Singaporean naval personnel.

The remaining 126 are not from the navy, but students from
various universities, doctors from the Dharmais foundation, and
four Japanese ear, nose and throat specialists.

The civic operations will include construction of public
facilities, such as bridges, road and harbor, supplying the
public with nine basic needs, providing medical services such as
cataract surgery and dental examination.

The warships KRI Teluk Banten and KRI Teluk Peleng, will be
deployed to transport medical supplies and a helicopter, Nuranto
said.