RSAF and TNI-AU Celebrate Close and Long-standing Friendship in Pekanbaru, Indonesia

07 September 2017

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Mervyn Tan (right) and Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Hadi Tjahjanto (left) congratulating each other in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, after the successful completion of the combined flypast. (photo : Sing Mindef)

Following the combined flypast over the Marina South area in Singapore, all the participants of the flypast, members of the organising committee, senior officers and four F-16s from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) landed in Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, Pekanbaru, Indonesia to join the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) in a post-flypast celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and close friendship between the two countries.

Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Mervyn Tan and Chief of Staff of the TNI-AU Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Hadi Tjahjanto were on board their respective air forces' F-16 fighters for the combined flypast earlier this afternoon. Sharing his thoughts after the combined flypast, MG Tan said, "It is the first time that both our air forces have come together to do a flypast of this complexity and scale. I think the flypast is really a testament of the skill as well as the professionalism of the pilots of our air forces. More importantly, it underscored the trust and mutual understanding between the personnel of both our air forces. I would like to say that, on behalf of the RSAF, it is really our honour to be able to celebrate this significant event in such a special way together with our Indonesian friends." ACM Hadi added, "Today is a special day for us. This achievement is a reflection of the strong relationship between us and the high level of trust that is shared between the personnel of the TNI-AU and the RSAF. I believe the military cooperation between the TNI-AU and the RSAF will be everlasting and we will always support each other."

As part of the celebration, personnel from both air forces exchanged memorabilia to mark the close and long-standing bilateral relations between the two air forces. The RSAF and TNI-AU first started exercising together in 1980, and since then the two air forces had also engaged in a wide range of exercises and activities such as visits, professional exchanges and cross-attendance of courses. These regular interactions enhance the interoperability and foster mutual understanding between the RSAF and TNI-AU.

(Sing Mindef)