Water and Air Police Squad marks 44th anniversary

Water and Air Police Squad marks 44th anniversary

JAKARTA (JP): The National Water and Air Police Squad
celebrated its 44th anniversary with a series of attractions,
including a show-of-force parade and 'senam joget' (dancing
exercise, above photo) at its base in Tanjung Priok, North
Jakarta, yesterday.

The morning activities were attended by a large number of
senior police officers, including National Police Chief Gen.
Banurusman, and ship crew members berthed near the base.

The squad, established on Dec. 1, 1950, is divided into two
units, the Water Police Unit currently headed by Col. Asmuni
Mochtar and the Air Police Unit currently piloted by Lt. Col.
Frans Wenas.

During yesterday's ceremony, some of the Water Police Unit
armada and the Air Police Unit fleet were decorated and took part
in the parade (left).

At the end of the parade, Banarusman, a four-star general (in
black short-sleeved uniform, above), and his wife joined squad
personnel in a 'joget' dance.

With most of the armada categorized as out-of-date due to a
lack of funds to procure new equipment, the members of both units
have been ordered by their superiors to do their best to be
professional in their fight against the faster boats used by
pirates and smugglers.

"Maximize the use of the limited facilities, equipment and
budget available to reach your expected operational target,"
Banurusman ordered the squad in his speech prior to the parade.
(bsr)