Pekanbaru, Riau, July 6 (Antarariau.com) - A total of 17 fighter jets of Hawk 100/200 Black Panther and F16 Fighting Falcon took part in Mission-Oriented Training (MOT) over the skies of Riau Province on July 2-6, 2018.
Roesmin Nurjadin Military Airbase Commander First Marshal Age Wiraksono remarked here on Friday that the MOT activities involved three Air Squadrons.
"Three air squadrons from the Roesmin Nurjadin Military Airbase in Pekanbaru and Supadio Military Airbase in Pontianak were involved in the Mission Oriented Training," Wiraksono noted.
According to Wiraksono, the MOT combat training aims to maintain and improve preparedness to defend the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Air Force Squadron 16 of the Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase has sent eight F16 Fighting Falcon aircraft for the training, while Air Squadron 12, with Hawk 100/200 Black Panther, sent four fighter jets, as well as the last five Hawk 100/200 from Air Squadron 1 in addition to an Air Force Puma Helicopter.
"In addition to 17 fighter jets, the exercise involved 350 personnel," he revealed.
The personnel involved in the regular exercise comprised pilots, ground crews, Ground Control Intercept (GCI) personnel from several National Air Defense Sector Command (Kosekhanudnas), and other supporters.
Wiraksono elaborated that the exercise was expected to provide supplies and experience as well as improve the understanding of soldiers.
"Hence, the soldiers' operational competencies can be further enhanced by cooperating with pilots, who operate the weapons system with different platforms in an integrated way to conduct aerial operations having high complexity," he explained.
In addition, the training was expected to improve the ability and preparedness of all personnnel handling defense equipment, ranging from pilots and ground crews to GCI personnel as well as supporters.
Some 17 Fighter Jets Engage in Joint Exercise in Riau Sky
