TEMPO.CO, Surabaya – The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) is scheduled to participate in the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), in Oahu, Hawaii, from June 29 to August 4, 2022.

The troops who will participate in the joint multilateral exercise were welcomed by the Second Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Iwan Isnurwanto at Ujung Port, Surabaya on Monday, June 6, 2022.

Iwan explained that the task force sent to Hawaii consisted of 129 crew members, a marine platoon and three formation control personnel.

They will join the exercise with 25 other Indo-Pacific countries viz. United States, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, France, India, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Tonga, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Iwan said that since 2006, the Indonesian Navy had actively participated in the US Navy-initiated RIMPAC by sending personnel and a primary weapons system (alutsista).

“We are proud to participate in the joint exercise which this year will involve a total of 25,000 personnel, 38 warships, 4 submarines, more than 170 aircraft and landing troops (Marines) from 9 countries,” he said. Ivan said.

The two-star admiral explained that RIMPAC is one of TNI AL’s programs with the U.S. Navy to improve professionalism, strengthen ties, and aim outward to increase the role of naval diplomacy.

“The United States Navy and the Indonesian Navy use this RIMPAC to simultaneously test the latest and latest maritime warfare doctrines, tactics and procedures, especially in joint maritime operations and amphibious operations,” Iwan said.

Aboard the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai warship, Indonesian navy soldiers took 20 days to cross from Surabaya-Bitung-Guam to Hawaii. Long-range operations, Iwan said, will take 81 days.

KUKUH S. WIBOWO

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