Strengthening training ties with Indonesia

Opportunities to strengthen training connections were in the spotlight when the Indonesian equivalent of Australia’s Chief of Air Force visited Air Academy units at RAAF Base East Sale.

CAPTION: Chief of Staff, Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo (centre), accompanied by Air Force Attache – Jakarta Group Captain Ken Bowes, is welcomed to RAAF Base East Sale with a guard of honour. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kate Davis. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideax.

Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo – Chief of Staff, Indonesian Air Force, and his staff were hosted by Commander Air Force Training Group Air Commodore Greg Frisina.

The visit included a high-level overview of Air Force training offerings to Indonesian Air Force trainees, a tour of Air Academy headquarters, and tours and simulator demonstrations at the School of Air Traffic Control, Air Mission Training School, Central Flying School and  the Pilatus PC-21 pilot training system, along with a Pilatus PC-21 aircraft viewing.

ACM Prasetyo’s visit, following the Air and Space Power Conference in Canberra in late March, incorporated a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at RAAF Base East Sale’s Yarning Circle, carried out by Mr Alfred ‘Alfie’ Hudson, Gunaikurnai Lands and Waters Aboriginal Corporation representative.

As part of the record of ACM Prasetyo’s visit, Alfie traced his hand on a totem pole to mark his visit and journey through Gunaikurnai country.

CAPTION: Chief of Staff, Indonesian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, has his hand traced on a totem pole to symbolise his visit and journey throughout Gunaikurnai country by Gunaikurnai Lands and Waters Aboriginal Corporation representative Alfred ‘Alfie’ Hudson. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideaux.

Officer Commanding Air Academy, Group Captain Nigel Ward said the academy was honoured to host the Indonesian chief and his staff, and all involved “enjoyed discussions on a broad range of mutually interesting training topics”.

“We reflected on the many connections with Air Academy and RAAF Base East Sale, including our Indonesian Air Force Trainees on Flight Instructors Course International,” Group Captain Ward said.

“We look forward to further, closer co-operation across a range of training areas.”

Air Force Attaché – Jakarta Group Captain Ken Bowes accompanied Air Chief Marshal Prasetyo on his tour of Air Academy units, and said the visit further cemented a strong relationship between the two air forces.

The visit concluded with a Pilatus PC-21 aerobatic display over the Air Academy headquarters and an exchange of gifts at Headquarters Central Flying School.

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